All New Amplifier Technology From MSB-Introducing the M500 and the S500

I have not heard the new amps in this system yet but those that have are all raving. The technology of the amp seems to be uniquely different than traditional amplifiers

Introducing the 500 series amplifiers

All new amplifier technology from MSB

Extensive research by MSB has revealed that amplifiers generally fall well short of the finest resolution available from MSB’s own world class DACs.
Taking this challenge head on, we started working on a radically new kind of amplifier. One that reveals the true resolution available in our most familiar recordings. The new 500 series amplifiers feature a lifelike dynamic presentation with an astounding 134 db dynamic range!

Dynamic range is most often understood as the maximum loudness. But it also describes the incredibly important low level resolution containing the finest details to be newly discovered for the first time.
Multiple inner layers are now revealed at those precise moments in the recordings where the “harshness, brightness, forwardness” formerly existed.

The S500 and M500 are the result of newly invented methods of amplifying the audio signal employing proprietary technologies including zero negative feedback at 500 watts per channel!

The result: low level details and resolution heard for the first time, huge 3D soundstage and separation of instruments, superbly realistic timbre along with incredible dynamics and fast macro and micro transients. MSB believes this product redefines the level of realism available from our most treasured recordings.

Dealer and customer comments:
“The blackest backgrounds we have ever heard”
“live recordings? ….you are there in the space”
“incredibly natural and musical”
“the sense of new and delicate information washes over me constantly”

 

Yes I am. The Select II is bar none the most amazing audio component I've owned in 25 years of chasing audio. I would be surprised if MSB's flagship amps were anything less.

Cincy

The MSB M500’s monoblocks were voiced and impedance matched (75 ohm setting) with the MSB Select DAC, as well as voiced with the Magico M6’s. Consequently, you should have amazing synergy and sound quality with your system.

Enjoy,
Ken

 

Cincy, what is your server/streamer? I'm dipping my toe into all this and find this side of audio so affected by hugely varying opinions.

 

Cincy, what is your server/streamer? I'm dipping my toe into all this and find this side of audio so affected by hugely varying opinions.

Hi,

I am streaming my files direct from my NAS server to the Select II using Roon as the file manager. The Select II has a network renderer module that plugs into an accessory slot.

http://www.msbtechnology.com/rendererv2/

Regards,
Cincy

 

Yes I am. The Select II is bar none the most amazing audio component I've owned in 25 years of chasing audio. I would be surprised if MSB's flagship amps were anything less.

Cincy

Agree. I'm finally going to get the mono powerbases for mine.

 

Cincy, what is your server/streamer? I'm dipping my toe into all this and find this side of audio so affected by hugely varying opinions.

I don't see this kind of variation in opinion, but rather quests for ideal combinations in differing systems (see Alpinist's post on synergy just before yours) with financial constraints (for most of us). I heard a marvelous MBL system last month, but the "radialstrahler" was different. The dealer told me the sound quality diminishes significantly with other amps.

 

Oh, I meant some high end guys still using a PC with a renderer, others going as far as an Extreme, etc etc. Much less consensus on streaming than in any other aspect of audio.

 

Oh, I meant some high end guys still using a PC with a renderer, others going as far as an Extreme, etc etc. Much less consensus on streaming than in any other aspect of audio.

OK, and after I posted that I thought you could look it both ways. Once we make the big buy, the system, from an opinion, most of us want to tweak for the best possible sound, particularly since those items are much less of an expense, relatively speaking of course. I'm inclined to think the source may be the area most likely to change in the short term. It's much easier on the wallet to hold off on exotic music servers and opt for things like the EtherREGEN, which the designer asserts has the same objectives.

https://audiophilestyle.com/forums/...ressions/page/9/?tab=comments#comment-1004492

 

I don't see this kind of variation in opinion, but rather quests for ideal combinations in differing systems (see Alpinist's post on synergy just before yours) with financial constraints (for most of us). I heard a marvelous MBL system last month, but the "radialstrahler" was different. The dealer told me the sound quality diminishes significantly with other amps.

When you get up to this level, it is really all about system synergy. I’ve rebuilt my system from back to front every time I changed speakers. My Vandersteen 7 Mk2’s utilize high pass filters for their internal subwoofers, so the new MSB amps wouldn’t be a good match due to their low input impedance. Otherwise I might be looking into them for my system. The Vandersteen M7-HPA monoblocks provide the ideal synergy and have the high-pass filters built in. My MSB Select II DAC meshes well with the amps’ high input impedance but admittedly, the MSB amps would match best with my DAC.

 

My M500's shipped from California on Friday. I will post a review in the next few weeks. I'm anxious to hear them. Coming off of D'Agostino M400's they have a high standard to meet.

Cincy

Wondering when we are going to hear about your experience with MSB M500’s?

 

Koegz

I think the truck driver was pushing his truck across country! Delivery is scheduled for tomorrow. Will have to wait until Friday to get them up and running. I'll post some impressions Sunday.

Cincy

 

Hi,

I am streaming my files direct from my NAS server to the Select II using Roon as the file manager. The Select II has a network renderer module that plugs into an accessory slot.

http://www.msbtechnology.com/rendererv2/

Regards,
Cincy

I’ve been following MSB stuff with lots of interest, and I’m very excited to hear your impressions of what look to be amazing amps. Have you tried a high-end music server (Innuos, Extreme, Aurender) instead of streaming from your NAS server to see if there is an audible difference?

 

I’ve been following MSB stuff with lots of interest, and I’m very excited to hear your impressions of what look to be amazing amps. Have you tried a high-end music server (Innuos, Extreme, Aurender) instead of streaming from your NAS server to see if there is an audible difference?

Yes sir. Had an Aurender W20 for a few years. The MSB renderer with Roon had better image presentation, a blacker background and improved spatial focus. The amps got delivered this morning. Have to have some strong bodies to get them upstairs to my room. First review Sunday this week.

Cinc

 

The M500'S are in place and burning in. Critical listening tomorrow.

Cincy

 

a big congrats; just beautiful!

 

Congrats, they look awesome in black

 

A dream system. If I recall, you were one of the kind individuals who encouraged me to get my Select DAC. Let us know asap.

Curious why you didn't get the ProUSB module.

 

amazing

 

After about 48 hours of burn-in, I sat down for some critical listening on Sunday afternoon. A few caveats first. My baseline is the existing system with D'Agostino M400's. These were incredible amps that gave me a beautiful, lush, detailed presentation in combination with the other components in my system. I'm going to describe the differences I hear between that baseline and the system with the MSB mono's. There are so many variables (room dimensions, treatments, cables, speakers, front end etc.) it would be tough to draw any conclusions on what they would sound like in your set up.

Nonetheless, the MSB's are very special amplifiers. The initial impressions I had when I first turned them on have been confirmed and reinforced. The backgrounds are blacker than black. This has the effect of making every voice and image more pronounced. I also find that I can listen at a louder volume without fatigue. We set the gain on these to MAX for now and I will experiment by backing off as time goes on. Right now, the normal listening level as shown by the MSB volume level is the same as it was for the D"Ag's.

The second characteristic I noticed is low level detail. The background instruments deep in the soundstage or off to the right or left now have the texture and definition of the main images. Detail in general is off the charts even compared to the D'Ags. It is especially pronounced on percussion instruments. Piano notes have faster attacks. On xylophone, you can separate the thump the hammer makes on the key from the actual note. I have on file from a Chesky CD with a bluesman playing Bones. The sound of the woody impact is scary realistic.

The MSB's soundstage breadth and depth, bass definition (particularly on acoustic bass) and tonal accuracy all edge the D'Agostino's but not by much. Their accuracy and detail are what separate them by a wide margin.

The amps after running for two days are no hotter than the D'Ags were after running for an hour. The engineers at MSB did a great job of thermal management.

In sum, I'm very pleased with the purchase. My ears are no match for a professional reviewer or for many of you. I only know what I like when I hear it in my room, with the rest of my gear with my files. These amp I like. A lot. I've had Krell amps ever since the KSA-250 back in the 90's. Sad to say goodbye but the MSB's are the new standard for me.

Eric

 

Thanks for the update. And glad they're working out for you. I'm hoping to hear these in an audio show sometime next year.

PS - the KSA-250 was my first hi-end amp in the 90s, with a Wadia front-end and Wilson WATT Puppies

 

After about 48 hours of burn-in, I sat down for some critical listening on Sunday afternoon. A few caveats first. My baseline is the existing system with D'Agostino M400's. These were incredible amps that gave me a beautiful, lush, detailed presentation in combination with the other components in my system. I'm going to describe the differences I hear between that baseline and the system with the MSB mono's. There are so many variables (room dimensions, treatments, cables, speakers, front end etc.) it would be tough to draw any conclusions on what they would sound like in your set up.

Nonetheless, the MSB's are very special amplifiers. The initial impressions I had when I first turned them on have been confirmed and reinforced. The backgrounds are blacker than black. This has the effect of making every voice and image more pronounced. I also find that I can listen at a louder volume without fatigue. We set the gain on these to MAX for now and I will experiment by backing off as time goes on. Right now, the normal listening level as shown by the MSB volume level is the same as it was for the D"Ag's.

The second characteristic I noticed is low level detail. The background instruments deep in the soundstage or off to the right or left now have the texture and definition of the main images. Detail in general is off the charts even compared to the D'Ags. It is especially pronounced on percussion instruments. Piano notes have faster attacks. On xylophone, you can separate the thump the hammer makes on the key from the actual note. I have on file from a Chesky CD with a bluesman playing Bones. The sound of the woody impact is scary realistic.

The MSB's soundstage breadth and depth, bass definition (particularly on acoustic bass) and tonal accuracy all edge the D'Agostino's but not by much. Their accuracy and detail are what separate them by a wide margin.

The amps after running for two days are no hotter than the D'Ags were after running for an hour. The engineers at MSB did a great job of thermal management.

In sum, I'm very pleased with the purchase. My ears are no match for a professional reviewer or for many of you. I only know what I like when I hear it in my room, with the rest of my gear with my files. These amp I like. A lot. I've had Krell amps ever since the KSA-250 back in the 90's. Sad to say goodbye but the MSB's are the new standard for me.

Eric

Congrats Eric! After further break in, the M500’s should have even more ease and improved tonality.

Enjoy,
Ken