Qobuz ad banner
Qobuz ad banner
Products
Used Deals
Brands
Dealers
Record Stores
News
Spotlight
Articles

Authorized dealers for MSB Technology M500 MONO

  • Alma Music & Audio — online and in-store — San Diego, California, United States (website)
  • Audio Advisors — in-store — West Palm Beach, Florida, United States (website)
  • Audio Concept - Luxembourg — in-store — Gare, Luxembourg, Luxembourg (website)
  • Audio Connection — online and in-store — Verona, New Jersey, United States (website)
  • Audio Elation — in-store — Lolo, Montana, United States (website)
  • Audio Excellence (CA) — online and in-store — Markham, Ontario, Canada (website)
  • Audio Excellence (CH) — Switzerland (website)
  • Audio Video Feel — online and in-store — Charenton-le-Pont, Île-de-France, France (website)
  • Audio Video Integration — in-store — San Rafael, California, United States (website)
  • Audio88 — in-store — Singapore, Singapore (website)

and 32 more verified dealers

MSB Technology M500 MONO #1
MSB Technology M500 MONO variant 1
MSB Technology M500 MONO variant 2
MSB Technology M500 MONO variant 3
MSB Technology M500 MONO variant 4
MSB Technology M500 MONO variant 5
MSB Technology M500 MONO variant 6
MSB Technology M500 MONO variant 7
MSB Technology M500 MONO variant 8
MSB Technology M500 MONO variant 9
MSB Technology M500 MONO variant 10

MSB Technology M500 MONO

United States flag

Explosive dynamic freedom defines the MSB Technology M500 MONO, pairing 500W into 8Ω with the ease and agility needed for demanding loudspeakers. Hifi Statement highlights its live-like transient realism, while the discrete architecture, selectable gain and impedance, and lavishly machined chassis reinforce its high-current control and uncompromising engineering.

View at MSB Technology
Specifications44 reviews & sources

WATT RECOMMENDS

Save your favorites. Compare them anytime.

Create a free HiFi Hub account to save products to your Wishlist and compare your favorites side by side.

72/100
Rating for M500 MONO

Just Okay

Sound Quality

64/100

Build Quality

92/100

Value for Money

85/100

Pros

Exceptional transient realism and seemingly unrestricted dynamic headroom with demanding loudspeakers.

Ease and agility are maintained despite its immense 1,000W-into-4Ω capability.

Impeccably manufactured chassis with substantial, resonance-conscious heat dissipation.

Cons

Its heavyweight construction lacks carrying handles, making installation and transport less convenient.

WATT RECOMMENDS

Save your favorites. Compare them anytime.

Create a free HiFi Hub account to save products to your Wishlist and compare your favorites side by side.

What Reviewers Are Saying

"The finest amplifier we’ve ever created, the 500 series redefines excellence and sets a new bar in the industry."

— Audiophil-Online

SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 64/100

Independent listening evidence is concentrated on the M500's exceptional ease, transient freedom and control. The available reviews provide little independent discussion of tonal balance, low-level resolution, or spatial presentation, so those aspects remain less clearly established.

Transparency Resolution

54/100

MSB's press material describes minimized noise and distortion, but the independent review excerpts do not directly assess fine detail, grain, background silence, or resolution. The available listening evidence is therefore limited on this point.

Tonal Balance Musicality

50/100

The supplied independent listening excerpts do not meaningfully describe tonal balance, timbre, warmth, neutrality, or long-term musical character. There is not enough direct commentary to draw a stronger conclusion.

Dynamics

96/100

Hifi Statement reports that transients arrive with the character of live music and says the Excaliburs appeared unaware of dynamic limits below painful listening levels. The same review praises the M500's ease and agility, even with speakers that had previously been difficult amplifier loads.

Soundstage Imaging

58/100

MSB's product material characterizes the presentation as transparent, holographic and fatigue-free. However, the independent excerpts supplied do not substantiate this with listening observations about stage depth, image focus, or layering.

Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.

Build Quality

92/100

Hifi Statement calls the monoblocks perfectly manufactured and notes their substantial heat-dissipation structure. The M500 is also a purpose-built monoblock with a fully discrete Class-A input stage, high-bias Class-AB output stage, balanced XLR input, selectable gain and input impedance, and 12V trigger integration.

Value for Money

85/100

At $159,000, the M500 competes in the very top tier of power amplification. None of the supplied independent reviews directly addresses whether its performance or execution represents compelling value against similarly priced alternatives.

Reviews & Sources

Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.

Online Reviews & Mentions

YouTube Reviews

Forum Mentions

No forum mentions found yet

store
store
store
store
store
store

Specifications

Static Power Consumption
150 Watts
Operating Voltage Range
120/240V (Auto switching) 100V (Fixed)
Fuse
1/4"x1-1/4" 15A 250V Slow Blow
Input
1x XLR Input
Output
2x Binding post set per channel
Controls
Gain switch Input Impedance Switch On/Off Button Standby button Display Dimmer 12V Mode Switch 2x MSB 12V trigger port
Continuous Power Output (8Ω) < 1% distortion
500 W
Continuous Power Output (4Ω) < 1% distortion
1000 W
Frequency Response (20 to 20kHz)
±0.025dB
Signal to Noise (20 to 22kHz)
>136dB (>140dBA)
Equivalent Input Noise (22kHz BW)
0.5μV
Low Gain (75Ω source impedance)
16.4dB
Medium Gain (75Ω source impedance)
22.4dB
High Gain (75Ω source impedance)
28.4dB
Input Impedance (User Selectable)
75Ω / 300Ω / 1.2kΩ
Output Impedance (20 to 20kHz)
0.07Ω
Input/Gain Stage
- Class-A - Quad balanced - Impedance matched - Fully discrete - Independent power and transformer
Output Stage
- Class-AB - Balanced - High bias - Current gain only
Width
15 in (381 mm)
Depth
24 in (599mm)
Height
12 in (305 mm)
Weight
163 lbs (74 kg)
Product Feet
M6X1 Thread 3 or 4 Foot Configuration
Width
24 in (610 mm)
Depth
33 in (838 mm)
Height
20 in (508 mm)
Weight
227 lbs (103 kg)
Included Accessories
User Manual IEC C19 Power Cord
XLR Input
Balanced Output
Trigger Input

Manufacturer's Description — MSB Technology

Powered by innovation.

The world’s leading DACs needed an amplifier to match. The result was a clean slate design that could meet our DAC’s ultra high dynamic range head on. With the amplifier’s architecture optimized in critical areas, audio performance, longevity, and an ability to drive any speaker became our principal design parameters. We redefined the idea of what an amplifier can be, embedding the M500 with a fully modular design alongside a 1.0 Farad Power Core, a matched impedance input stage and an all billet CNC case. The finest amplifier we’ve ever created, the 500 series redefines excellence and sets a new bar in the industry.

Design without compromise.

The M500 features a discrete design featuring a class A matched impedance input stage. This result is a product with minimized signal reflections, input noise, and distortion while also maximizing power transfer and dynamic range in a zero negative feedback design. With custom low-noise high-current toroidal transformers and rugged high-current output buffers, the M500 provides a transparent, holographic listening experience that’s completely fatigue free. All components were meticulously chosen for their sonic performance and longevity, ensuring your amplifier is built to last.

Billet CNC heatsink.

The 500 series amplifier is designed and lovingly crafted in our factory based in California. Each of the heatsinks start out as a 51lb aluminum block before sixty percent is removed over eight hours of machining, resulting in 17.5 lbs of refined aluminum. This high efficiency design provides a surface area of over 10,000 in² per amplifier. What’s more–the fin thickness is slightly varied to help reduce resonances and ringing in the heatsinks, while multiple high power heat pipes distribute heat evenly for optimal thermal and electrical performance.

Core values.

Building  the 500 series amplifiers with a core enclosure greatly improved their reliability and performance. Upon completion, the cores are rigorously tested and stocked for orders, ensuring the highest quality product is ready at a moment’s notice. With this segmentation, your system is optimized for performance and resilience.

Smart control features.

The M500 is equipped with a simple, user-friendly control interface. Intuitive push buttons, remote commands, and the 12V triggers guarantee  control over power and standby modes. Further control of amplifier “power on” timers and soft-start circuits allow a multi-amplifier system to power up without putting strain on your listening room’s electrical system.

Powerful configurations.

Intuitively oriented speaker lugs direct your speaker cables in the right direction without strain. Multiple ground posts enable EMI reduction strategies, including shielded cables and system star grounds. A 20 amp IEC connection is provided for high current delivery, while three gain settings optimize dynamic range for any speaker.

Trade in program

While we’re committed to long lasting products that hold their value, we realize audio systems are always evolving. That’s why we’re thrilled to offer high trade-in values for existing MSB products when upgrading to a higher performing series. If you currently have an MSB DAC or amplifier that you love, but are looking to experience more from your system, please reach out to your local dealer. We’ll build a personalized offer for your existing MSB products that count towards a new DAC or amplifier. Let us do the work of refurbishing and finding your current electronics a new home–they’ll continue to be enjoyed for years to come.

Anodized Finishes

Elegant yet commanding, our finishes are available in a matte silver or matte black anodize.  Our products include our in-house designed viton feet, but any audiophile M6X1 foot can be installed to personalize your system.

The 12V Trigger Adapter

The 12V trigger adapter provides a multitude of ways for connecting your MSB product with other 12V trigger systems.

MSB Technology logo

Verified Dealers

Online Dealers

All Dealers

Zoom out the map to see more dealers

Authorized dealers for MSB Technology M500 MONO

  • Alma Music & Audio — online and in-store — San Diego, California, United States (website)
  • Audio Advisors — in-store — West Palm Beach, Florida, United States (website)
  • Audio Concept - Luxembourg — in-store — Gare, Luxembourg, Luxembourg (website)
  • Audio Connection — online and in-store — Verona, New Jersey, United States (website)
  • Audio Elation — in-store — Lolo, Montana, United States (website)
  • Audio Excellence (CA) — online and in-store — Markham, Ontario, Canada (website)
  • Audio Excellence (CH) — Switzerland (website)
  • Audio Video Feel — online and in-store — Charenton-le-Pont, Île-de-France, France (website)
  • Audio Video Integration — in-store — San Rafael, California, United States (website)
  • Audio88 — in-store — Singapore, Singapore (website)

and 32 more verified dealers

Alma Music & Audio logo
Audio Advisors logo
Audio Concept - Luxembourg logo
Audio Connection logo
Audio Elation logo
Audio Excellence (CA) logo
Audio Excellence (CH) logo
Audio Video Feel logo
Audio Video Integration logo
Audio88 logo