{"product_id":"mcintosh-mc501-monoblock-amplifier-pair-consecutive-serials-fiber-optic","title":"McIntosh MC501 Monoblock Amplifier Pair - Consecutive Serials, Fiber Optic","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGeneral:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe MC501s from McIntosh are notable for their mega powerful 500W output and their form factor, which is much more shallow and manageable than the current version. Unlike many amps this powerful, the MC501 can fit in most cabinets and racks.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA standout design feature is the signature McIntosh 3D faceplate which in our opinion was the best looking of all the series. Thick tempered glass ensures it will not crack in shipping, plus the aluminum trim work looks amazing along with the fiber optic lighting. I suspect this construction type became too expensive for McIntosh to produce so they went back to standard flat face plates on the next version.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMC501's are perfect for someone who is looking to power their low sensitivity speakers with absolute ease. They also feature XLR inputs for balanced connections. This particular pair sounded amazing in testing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe current version (MC601s) will set you back $19,000, quite a premium for extra 100w.  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIncluded will be their original manual, box and plastic rear protecting terminal covers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrice includes freight shipping to the lower 48 states.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSkyFi Cosmetic Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBoth amplifiers have some silk screen wear and slightly cloudy back panels. We opted to leave them as is to prevent any more silk screen (lettering) loss. Overall the condition is excellent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom McIntosh: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSome Performance Features:\u003cbr\u003e• Full Balanced Quad-Differential Circuitry\u003cbr\u003eThe MC501 is fully balanced from inputs to outputs. It\u003cbr\u003econsists of two matched power amplifiers operating in push-pull with their outputs combined in a McIntosh Autoformer. The double balanced configuration cancels virtually all distortion.\u003cbr\u003e• Patented Autoformers\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe McIntosh designed and manufactured Output\u003cbr\u003eAutoformer provides an ideal match between the amplifier output stage and speaker loads of 2, 4 and 8 ohms. The Autoformer also provides perfect DC protection for your valuable Loudspeaker.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e• Patented Power Guard\u003cbr\u003eThe patented McIntosh Power Guard Circuit prevents the amplifier from being over driven into clipping, with its harsh distorted sound that can also damage your valuable Loudspeaker.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBrand Background:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMcIntosh Laboratory is an American manufacturer of handcrafted high-end audio equipment based in Binghamton, New York. The company was founded in 1949 by Frank McIntosh. The company designs and produces audio amplifiers, stereo tuners and other consumer electronics products.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eOwnership:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSecond Owner\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eConnections:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eXLR,RCA, Power control, IEC Power\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eGeneral Sound:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSmooth, uncolored, undistorted natural and clean\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCosmetic Condition:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e7\/10 = Good. One or two minor scratches. Well Maintained. See our detailed rating description \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/pages\/our-rating-scale\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehere\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWorking Condition:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWorking perfectly and tested in our lab and listening room.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eIncluded:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eUnit, manual, and power cord.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePacking:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOriginal Manufacturers Packing\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eOriginal MSRP:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e$11,000.00\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSpecs:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eKey Technical Specifications:\u003cbr\u003e- Power Output: 500W RMS minimum into 2, 4, or 8 Ohms\u003cbr\u003e- Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): 0.005% maximum at any level from 250mW to rated power\u003cbr\u003e- Frequency Response: +0, -0.25dB from 20Hz to 20kHz; +0, -3dB from 10Hz to 100kHz\u003cbr\u003e- Signal-to-Noise Ratio (A-Weighted): 97dB (124dB below rated output)\u003cbr\u003e- Input Impedance: 10,000 Ohms (unbalanced), 20,000 Ohms (balanced)\u003cbr\u003e- Input Sensitivity: 2.1V Unbalanced, 4.2V Balanced\u003cbr\u003e- Damping Factor: \u0026gt;100 @ 8-Ohms\u003cbr\u003e- Weight: 91.5 lbs (41.6 kg) net McIntosh\u003cbr\u003e-  +3\u003cbr\u003eFeatures:\u003cbr\u003e- Output Autoformer: Ensures full 500W power delivery regardless of speaker impedance.\u003cbr\u003e- Power Guard: Prevents clipping to protect loudspeakers.\u003cbr\u003e- Design: Black glass front panel, blue wattmeter, and stainless steel chassis.\u003cbr\u003e- Connectivity: Balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) inputs, with dedicated speaker terminals for 2, 4, and 8-ohm loads.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e(H x W x D): 9.44” (22.86cm) x 17.5” (44.45cm) x 14.81” (37.62cm)\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e91.5 lbs.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eApproximate Age:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e2003\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLink to Manual:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.mcintoshlabs.com\/legacy-products\/amplifiers\/MC501\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eClick Here\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eRecommended Cables:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/products\/kimber-kable-hero-interconnects-pair-rca-ultraplate-or-wbt-connectors-new\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eKimber Kable - RCA Interconnects\u003c\/a\u003e - Better\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/products\/kimber-kable-silver-streak-interconnects-pair-rca-ultraplate-or-wbt-connectors\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eKimber Kable - RCA Interconnects\u003c\/a\u003e - Best\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/collections\/our-kimber-kable-collection\/products\/kimber-kable-ascent-series-hero-analog-interconnects-pair-balanced-xlr-connectors-new\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eKimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors\u003c\/a\u003e - Better\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/collections\/our-kimber-kable-collection\/products\/kimber-kable-summit-series-silver-streak-analog-interconnects-pair-balanced-xlr-connectors-new\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eKimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors\u003c\/a\u003e - Best\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/products\/kimber-kable-8tc-8-tc-ascent-speaker-cables-pair-new\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eKimber Kable - Speaker Cables\u003c\/a\u003e - Better\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/products\/kimber-kable-summit-series-monocle-xl-speaker-cables-pair-new\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eKimber Summit Series Monocle XL Speaker Cables (PAIR)\u003c\/a\u003e - Best\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/products\/kimber-kable-summit-series-bifocal-xl-bi-wire-speaker-cables-pair-new\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eKimber Summit Series BiFocal XL Bi-Wire Speaker Cables (PAIR)\u003c\/a\u003e - Best If Applicable\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/products\/kimber-kable-pk14-pk-14-ascent-power-cord-brand-new\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eKimber Kable - Power Cords\u003c\/a\u003e - Better\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/products\/kimber-kable-ascent-series-pk10-pk-10-power-cord-brand-new\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eKimber Kable - Power Cords\u003c\/a\u003e - Best\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eTesting Process:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe start with a visual inspection of all internal components to make sure that there are no signs of heat stress or damage. Capacitors are checked for telltale signs of predictive failure including bulging, shrunken wrappers, or physical leakage. We also inspect the PCBs for discoloration from resistors or transistors that may have been running hot. On vintage units we often spot check select capacitors for value and ESR.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIf the amplifier passes visual inspection, we move on to a controlled power on sequence using a Sencore safety analyzer to monitor current draw in real time. Once the amplifier is determined to be safe to operate, we connect it to full AC mains for function and power testing. We connect the speaker outputs of the amplifier to a Sencore PA81 Power Analyzer which acts as a dummy load, DC offset monitor, and oscilloscope interface. We start with a low level 1 KHz test signal at the amplifier's input and slowly increase its amplitude while monitoring the output on an oscilloscope for signs of noise, clipping, distortion, or improper channel balance. We continue increasing the signal level until the amplifier reaches clipping. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAt this point we take an output power measurement and compare it to the spec sheet of the amplifier to verify proper performance. If the device under test has both balanced and single ended inputs they are both tested at this time.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWe finish off the bench evaluation with a 1 KHz square wave check and a 20 Hz to 20 KHz sine sweep to assess the amplifier's frequency response characteristics. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThis battery of tests will usually reveal if the amplifier has any issues that need further attention.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBefore the device leaves the bench, we perform a listening test with actual music using a variety of preferred test tracks. Our benches are outfitted with familiar monitor speakers which help us identify inconsistencies that will not always show up on our test gear. The main things that we are listening for are hum or noise with no signal present, proper center image, clicks, pops, or any other obvious undesirable audio characteristics.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIf the unit passes all of these tests it is moved to our long term testing rig where we simulate real word operating conditions for 6-8 hours minimum. This allows us to monitor the unit for signs of thermal runaway or intermittent issues that only crop up when the unit has fully come up to temperature.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"McIntosh","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47821593051390,"sku":"107424","price":14403.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0003\/3275\/9084\/files\/6W4DnJRwTtL_-XHnBcKTQhZoeyJVqOBrQUYubXB65eo.jpg?v=1771953677","url":"https:\/\/skyfiaudio.com\/en-au\/products\/mcintosh-mc501-monoblock-amplifier-pair-consecutive-serials-fiber-optic","provider":"SkyFi Audio","version":"1.0","type":"link"}