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tests/21-01-26_msb

Test.

MSB Technology The M500 Mono Amplifier

10.02.2021 // Dirk Sommer

Before Helmut Baumgartner and I start moving the M500s from my listening room to the photo studio, we briefly listen to the fourth movement of the Symphonie Fantastique with the Utah Symphony conducted by Varujan Kojian. I've probably never heard this Reference Recording copy so open and airy: Already during the first few seconds, the enormous spatial depth is impressive, despite the volume is at a very low level here, while the explosive dynamics add highlights to the exceptionally transparent sonic image. The kettledrums towards the end of the piece evolve exceptionally fast, controlled and yet extremely powerful. No other amplifier that I came across so far has managed to master this very demanding piece so sovereignly. Helmut Baumgartner found even more prosaic words for it: "I've never heard such musical power amplifiers with so much power." This is a conclusion I fully share.

STATEMENT

Abundance of power, like it or not: MSB Technology's The M500 Mono Amplifiers are the best amps I have ever heard breathing life into the Goebel speakers in my listening room. These power amps make dreams come true!

Listened with
Turntable	Brinkmann LaGrange with tube power supply
Tonearm	Thales Simplicity II, Einstein The Tonearme 12“
Cartridges	Transrotor Tamino, Lyra Olympos SL
Phono preamp	Einstein The Turntable's Choice (balanced)
NAS	Melco N1Z/2EX-H60, WDMyCloud
Streaming bridge	Auralic G2.1
Up-sampler	Chord Electronics Hugo M-Scaler with Poweradd or Ferrum Hypsos
D/A converter	Chord Electronics DAVE with linear power supply, MSB Technology The Reference DAC
LAN switch	SOtM sNH-10G i with Keces P8, Ansuz PowerSwitch D-TC Supreme
10 MHz clock	SOtM sCLK-OCX10 with Keces P8
Pre amp	Einstein The Preamp
Power amp	Einstein The Poweramp
Loudspeaker	Goebel Epoque Aeon Fine
Cables	Goebel High End Lacorde Statement, Audioquest Dragon HC, Tornado (HC) and NRG-Z3, Dragon Bi-Wiring, Swiss Cables, SOtM dCBL-BNC, Ansuz Digitalz D-TC Supreme and Mainz D2
Accessories	AHP sound module IV G, Audioquest Niagara 5000 and 1200, Synergistic Research Active Ground Block SE, HMS wall sockets, Blockaudio C-Lock Lite, Acapella bases, Acoustic System Feet and Resonators, Artesania Audio Exoteryc, SSC Big Magic Base, finite elemente Carbofibre° HD, Harmonix Room Tuning Disks, Audio Exklusiv Silentplugs, Ansuz Darkz D-TC Supreme adjustable, Arya Audio Revopods, 10Gtec media converter (2x) with Keces P3 and SBooster BOTW P&P Eco MKII, Singlemode Duplex optical fibre cable

Manufacturer's specifications MSB Technology The M500 Mono Amplifier
Power consumption	150W (idle), less than 2W (standby)
Input	1 x XLR
Output	2 pairs of speaker terminals
Gain	16,4dB (low gain, 75Ω input impedance) 22,4dB (medium gain, 75Ω input impedance) 28,4dB (high gain, 75Ω input impedance)
Power rating	1000W at lower than 1% harmonic distortion (4Ω) 500W at lower than 1% harmonic distortion (8Ω)
Frequency response	±0,025dB (20Hz to 20kHz)
Signal-to-noise ratio	>136dB, >140 dBA( 20Hz to 22kHz)
Inherent noise	0,5μV at a bandwith of 22kHz
Input impedance	75Ω / 300Ω / 1,2kΩ selectable
Output impedance	0,07Ω (20Hz to 20kHz)
Mains voltage	100V or 105-130V/210-260V
Mains fuse	15A/250V slow
Controls	Gain switch, Input impedance switch, Start-up delay switch for 12 Volt trigger, On/Off switch, Standby switch, Display brightness control
Dimensions (W/H/D)	381/267/590mm
Weight	61,25Kg
Scope of delivery	Instructions manual, IEC C19 mains power cable, rubber feet with M6x1 threaded rod
Price	140,000 euros

Distribution HiFi2Die4
Address	Austrasse 9 73575 Leinzell
Phone	+49 (0) 7175 909032
Email	hifi2die4@gmx.de
Web	www.hifi2die4.de

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