McIntosh MC501 Monoblock Amplifiers 500W! Includes McIntosh Boxes

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These are notable for their mega powerful 500W output and their form factor, much more shallow and manageable than the current version meaning it will fit in most cabinets or racks.

They feature the 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.

Working and sounding perfect.

This listing includes original super duty McIntosh shipping boxes, manuals, and power cords. We've ordered boxes for these direct from McIntosh which might delay shipping a bit.

Some Performance Features:

• Full Balanced Quad-Differential Circuitry
The MC501 is fully balanced from inputs to outputs. It
consists 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.

• Patented Autoformers
The McIntosh designed and manufactured Output
Autoformer 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.

• Patented Power Guard
The 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.

Our Testing Process for Amplifiers (Solid State) at SkyFi:

We start with a visual inspection of all internal components to make sure there are no signs of stress or aging. Capacitors are checked for telltale sings of bulging or leaking, resistors are checked for signs of overheating or cracking, and transistors are checked for signs of stress or damage.

We then power up the unit carefully and run a simple 1k sine wave while monitoring the output on an oscilloscope for signs of distortion or noise. Finally, we run the amplifier to its full rated power into the appropriate resistive load provided by our Sencore amplifier tester. If there is an issue, it will usually be noticeable at this point. If everything reads clean, we will often test for THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) measured by our Keithley distortion meter, and compare it against the original manufacturers specifications. The amplifier then remains powered on to "burn in" on our test bench for a few hours to make sure there are no heat related issues. If there are balanced inputs available they will be also be tested.

Final testing involves pushing actual music thorough the amplifier. We've learned over time that some issues are only noticeable to a trained ear while listening to familiar source material. Our test bench has reference vintage KEF speakers that we're very familiar with which quickly reveal any discrepancies. Some amplifiers will then move into our listening room where they are tested with our in-house reference speakers of choice.

Please click here for detailed specifics regarding our specialized packing process that separates us from the rest.