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  1. #1
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    McNewbie has questions......

    Finally have a Mc amplifier. Wanted one all my life. Very rich, full sounding amp. It's got quite a bit of character. Was going with a used Krell, but I found a guy willing to trade for guitars, so I didn't have to put out cash. It's a heavy-ass refurbished MC-500 (intentions of buying another later for bi-amping (Hee hee). I'm also thinking of a dedicated passthrough pre (It's used in my HT), but probably SS since I prefer a sharper audio signature. Any recommendations?

    My questions are:
    a) Does this amplifier run in Class A? or is it an A/B amp?
    b) will balanced XLR cables offer any sonic improvement? Or should I bu the best RCA's I can afford?

    I will probably upgrade the speaker cables to Blue Jeans since they are pretty affordable.

    All suggestions welcomed....all criticisms rejected!

  2. #2
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    Re: McNewbie has questions......

    Welcome to the forum.
    Fleetwood Deville by Oswald Mills Audio, Vienna Acoustics Haydn Jubilee, Wharfedale Linton w/ stands, Klipsch RB-75, Klipsch RP-160M.

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  3. #3
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    Re: McNewbie has questions......

    Quote Originally Posted by Deaf Steve View Post
    Finally have a Mc amplifier. Wanted one all my life. Very rich, full sounding amp. It's got quite a bit of character. Was going with a used Krell, but I found a guy willing to trade for guitars, so I didn't have to put out cash. It's a heavy-ass refurbished MC-500 (intentions of buying another later for bi-amping (Hee hee). I'm also thinking of a dedicated passthrough pre (It's used in my HT), but probably SS since I prefer a sharper audio signature. Any recommendations?

    My questions are:
    a) Does this amplifier run in Class A? or is it an A/B amp?
    b) will balanced XLR cables offer any sonic improvement? Or should I bu the best RCA's I can afford?

    I will probably upgrade the speaker cables to Blue Jeans since they are pretty affordable.

    All suggestions welcomed....all criticisms rejected!
    The McIntosh MC-500 is biased as a Class A/B amp. Congrats on your new acquisition, enjoy it in the best of health and welcome to AudioShark!

  4. #4

    Re: McNewbie has questions......

    Balanced XLR cables are a better option than RCA due to better noise reduction.
    Blue Jeans cables are good quality and affordable. I personally use XLR cables from BJC.

  5. #5
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    Re: McNewbie has questions......

    Based on this link, I do not believe that the MC500 is a fully balanced amplifier (even though it has XLR inputs). So, even if you hook it up to a fully balanced pre-amp, you will never get the full benefit (common noise rejection, etc.) of a fully balanced topology. Obviously, you're still free to use XLR cables, but I don't think you'd gain any sonic advantage over the RCA equivalents.

    You might want to call McIntosh to double check on the design topology of your MC500.
    Electronics: Pass Labs XP-22, Pass Labs X250.8
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  6. #6
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    Re: McNewbie has questions......

    Thanks to all of you fine gentlemen for your replies. Yes, calling McIntosh is probably a good idea.

  7. #7
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    Re: McNewbie has questions......

    Hello and welcome. Looks like the 500 is a beast. I found this:

    McIntosh MC500 980,000yen(April, 1994 release)

    Description
    �@
    Stereo power amplifier which compiled years of technical store recording and the know-how into one book.

    The signal system consists of a whole page balance stream composition and a 10 parallel push pull output, and has realized the low-distortion output.
    Moreover, irrespective of a load impedance, the output transformer enables the fixed high power supplying, and is equivalent also to the low-impedance speaker with the output current which reaches Peek 115A.

    The temperature rise is reduced by a total of eight large dimension heat sinks or an original efficient amplifying circuit, and the air cooling without blower is realized.
    Furthermore, seven protection networks, such as a temperature protection with which an emergency over-temp was equipped, a sentry monitor, a turn-on delay, a power guarding system that prevents clipping distortion, were carried, and it has taken all possible measures.

    The power guarding serves as a patent circuitry which makes possible an over drive of a maximum of 14dB until it controls input voltage automatically and distortion reaches to 2%, comparing the wave of an input/output. This has prevented the destructive of the speaker by clipping distortion.
    Moreover, the effluve of DC electric current which occurs in the outage of an output transistor etc. by an output transformer is prevented.

    The power meter which displays true output power correctly by the product of a voltage and an electric current is carried.
    This meter has one about 10 times the speed of response of this compared with VU meter for pros, and if a pointer reaches a peek in WATTS mode, after only the time recognized by people's eye will stand it still, it descends. Moreover, in HOLD mode, it is fixed at the upper of peek power, and if there is no output beyond it, it will descend slowly the velocity for 6dB/.

    The circuit board serves as module construction which uses a gilding connector.

    The gilding output terminal of a banana-plug correspondence is adopted as a speaker terminal, and an interconnection of the cable of 5mm of core thickness of a lines is also possible.

    The bridge operation functionality which can be used also as monophonic amplifier of Output 1000W is carried.

    The digital logic remote power control terminal which can be operated from the control center of a mac is carried.
    When two or more generation is connected, the delay circuit for 1/tens of second works, and a convergence of a rush current is prevented.




    Rear



    Rating of a mode

    Form Stereo power amplifier
    Output power (sinusoidal consecutive output) stereo: 500W+500W (2ohm, 4ohm, 8ohm)
    mono: 1,000W (4ohm, 8ohm, 16ohm)
    Load impedance stereo: 2 ohms, 4ohm, 8ohm
    mono: 4 ohms, 8ohm, 16ohm
    Output frequency band 20Hz - 20kHz
    THD (20Hz - 20kHz) 0.005% or less (250mW - Output power)
    Cross modulation distortion (SMPTE) 0.005% (when peek power does not exceed the twice of an Output power at the moment)
    Frequency band 20Hz-20kHz+0 -0.25 dB
    10Hz-100kHz+0 -3.0 dB
    SN ratio (A network) 85dB
    115dB (at the time of an Output power)
    IHF dynamic head room 2.1dB
    Dumping factor 200 (4-ohm output)
    Input sensitivity/impedance 2.2V/10kohm
    Power guarding Prevention from clipping. It is less than THD2% to over-drive 14dB in1kHz.

    Power source AC100V, 50Hz/60 Hz, 14.4A (Underwriters Laboratories/CSA)
    Dimensions Width 445x height 255x depth of 491mm

    On a more ffordabe end the Parasound P6 or P7 might be a preamp to look at. Or, maybe look for a used Mac that has the features you need and match the amp.

    Looks like theMC500 was sold from 1994 to 1999 atabout $7k originally

    The Mclntosh MC500 is a 500 watt per channel stereo power amplifier created in a stunning new contemporary industrial design. Two 5½ inch True Power Output meters are mounted behind the ½ inch thick glass front panel. The high efficiency of the MC500 circuits together with oversize heatsinks utilizing convection cooling eliminates the need for internal cooling fans. Typical Mclntosh attention to detail includes the use of 1% metal film resistors and polypropylene capacitors throughout. Internal heatsink module connectors use gold plated contacts to ensure reliable operation. Gold plated Balanced as well as Unbalanced Input connectors ensure reliable signal transfer.
    Aurender ACS10 w/Audioquest Diamond USB, Esoteric N05xd
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  8. #8
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    Re: McNewbie has questions......

    Enjoy your new amp. I too recommend using the balanced XLR connection. You do not need a fully balanced amplifier to gain the advantage of using a balanced interconnect. They are actually two different things entirely.

    If you like this one, time to look for a second!
    Tom

    Audio:
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  9. #9
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    Re: McNewbie has questions......

    I have received clarification from Mc!Hi Steve,

    "The MC500 is a differential, fully balanced amplifier, although it does not have the proprietary McIntosh Quad-Balanced circuit that is in our larger amps, starting with the MC1000"
    The amp runs in A/B.

  10. #10
    Senior Member
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    Re: McNewbie has questions......

    In my experience Fully Differential components benefit from XLR connections but mainly when the other components are FD as well. If your budget allows I'd use a preamp that is FD. I looked at the Parasound P6 at $1600 but can be found cheaper, it doesn't say if FD. I also checked the Coda CP at $3500.00 it doesn't mention circuit design eithr. I know the Merrill Audio Cara at $3500.00 is FD, all the inputs are XLR but includes an adapte so you can use a single ended component. I used to own a Pass Labs XP10 which is FD with bypass and a good deal used. In my opinion the XP10 would be great for what you need. The P6 is a good choice if ona budget, a lot of bang for the buck but not a XP10. If FD the Coda would be good, the CARA will swing the system more neutral.
    Aurender ACS10 w/Audioquest Diamond USB, Esoteric N05xd
    Mark Levinson #526, 534 & JBL 4367's
    Clearaudio Performance DC w/Maestro cart
    Clarus Concerto & their Crimson cables

    HT: Marantz AV8003, Linn 5125, JBL SAM3ha, Revel s30,
    SVS PC13 Ultra
    Transparent, Analysis Plus & Tributaries. PS Audio filtering
    Sony XBR-75X940D & BDP
    Parasound P6, MBL 8006b, Artisan speakers/subwoofer

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