REVIEW SHOP SHARE LEARN
McIntosh MC500
McIntosh MC500
MSRP: $ 7000.00

More Amplifiers from McIntosh >>
Search AudioReview forums for the McIntosh MC500 >>
   
Popular Amplifiers
more...
Top Ranked Products from McIntosh.
MC150
Rated:
MC30
Rated:
MC2205
Rated:
more...
 |  Sorted by Latest Review |  Sort by Best Rating >> |  Sort by Worst Rating >> |  View All >>
Rating
Reviewed by:
ADIMAC
(Audio Enthusiast)

Review Date
August 3, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 3.00 votes

Rate this review?

Review 1 of 10

Price Paid:  $4900.00

Summary:
I have several McIntosh models tried on my "legendary" JBL ti5000. A MC150 will be a better value for the smaller and exellent JBL ti models. Dynaudio Contour 1.8MkII is also an excellent match. Only the power (2x150W.)was not enough for my big speakers in extreme dynamic circumstances. Now a MC500 has a better and straighter control of the 12'woofer. Midrange and high sounds more brilliant. All this results in a faster and better detailled sound. Even the legendary and unique McIntosh sound is always there when using the 8 Ohm Spkr.terminals.

Strengths:
Legendary McIntosh quality, design and sound. Oversized power supply for wide dynamic range. Timeless design. Many exclusive McIntosh patents for toublefree listening.

Weaknesses:
It's weight!!!

Similar Products Used:
McIntosh MA6400 integrated - McIntosh C38 Control Center + MC150 Power Amplifier - MC500 Power Amplifier - Accuphase - Marantz - Sony.


Would you like to Comment?
Join audioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Rating
Reviewed by:
silver-mousquetaire
(AudioPhile)

Review Date
September 16, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 3.00 votes

Rate this review?

Review 2 of 10

Price Paid:  $6500.00 from a friend

Summary:
Sorry for my bad english. what can I say? I love this big amp! this marvellous product is musical, powerfull and... Maybe you can pourchase some amps which are more "real" (I think about the Macintosh sound that include a little lack of transparency), but what the hell! The music is here and it is the principal! Very recommended with Audioresearch tube pre-amp and Cabasse french loudspeakers.

Strengths:
The Macintosh sound. Powerfull, warm, musical...

Weaknesses:
Very heavy.

Similar Products Used:
Onkyo M588/P388.


Would you like to Comment?
Join audioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Rating
Reviewed by:
Gary Shinall
(AudioPhile)

Review Date
February 8, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 3.00 votes

Rate this review?

Review 3 of 10

Price Paid:  $4150.00 from Ambrosia A/V In L.A

Summary:
Absolutely The Best Amplifier I Have Ever Heard In Over 30 Years Of Involvement In High End Audio.

Strengths:
Plenty Of Power,Extremely Low Distortion, Smooth, Mellow, No Sharp Edges,Very Detailed Bass,Just Wonderful.

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Mcintosh:C-40,MC-2500,MC-7270(2),MC-275, MC-240,MC-2105.


Would you like to Comment?
Join audioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Rating
Reviewed by:
Horst Reese
(Audio Enthusiast)

Review Date
September 20, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
3.25 of 5, 4.00 votes

Rate this review?

Review 4 of 10

Price Paid:  $3800.00 from private occasion, used

Summary:
I have my used MC500 about a month now and had the MC150 before, which was a very fine amp serving all my (former) listening preferrences - clean but marvelous and never stressing sound. Today the MC500 is topping the `little brother`in every discipline. I can notice musical details I never heard before, bass performance is more accurate and you feel that this amp is driving the speakers with ease (German Physiks bending wave units). Look at the actual models from Mc Intosh: isn´t the MC500 one of the prettiest looking? As a side effect you even have a capital investment at least. Highly recommended!
Allthough I never heard anything better, five stars are principally impossible to give. There allways might exist an ultimative amplifier I just did not listen and compare yet... Exchange of experiences welcome!

Strengths:
quality, nice to look at, wont`t loose it`s worth over decades

Weaknesses:
not really

Similar Products Used:
MC150, MC2300


Would you like to Comment?
Join audioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Rating
Reviewed by:
Robert
(Audiophile)

Review Date
April 6, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
4.00 of 5, 8.00 votes

Rate this review?

Review 5 of 10

Price Paid:  $4300.00

Summary:
Another winner from the legendary McIntosh. Big, bold and beautiful. Can drive any speaker with ease. Sounds very detailed at any volume. Great for CDs.

Weaknesses:
Very heavy but that is part of the McIntosh quality.

Similar Products Used:
McIntosh 7270, MC300, MC240, MC275.


Would you like to Comment?
Join audioReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.

Next 5 Reviews >>

Company Pages

Audio & Video company review pages. Browse product user reviews, compare prices, top ranked products, and compare specs by manufacturer.

Bowers Wilkins Reviews
Bowers & Wilkins
NAD Reviews
NAD
Marantz Reviews Marantz
Denon Reviews
Denon
Klipsch Reviews
Klipsch
Sony Reviews
Sony
Yamaha Reviews
Yamaha
Rotel Reviews
ROTEL
McIntosh Reviews
McIntosh
Bose Reviews
Bose
Polk Reviews
Polk Audio
Paradigm Reviews
Paradigm
Onkyo Reviews
Onkyo
JBL Reviews
JBL
KEF Reviews
KEF
Pioneer Lens Reviews
Pioneer
Harman Kardon Lens Reviews
Harman-Kardon
Panasonic Reviews
Panasonic
Press and News
Submit News & Press...
Audio and Video News & Press Releases.

Latest and Greatest

Best Bookshelf Speakers Under $1000

So many to choose from! Lets us boil it down. How to Choose a Bookshelf Speaker that fits you:

Best Floorstanding Speakers Under $1000

So many to choose from! Lets us boil it down. How to Choose a Floorstanding Speaker that fits you:

KingRex HQ-1 Headquarters Review

Construction is excellent. All screws unscrew/rescrew in nicely, all panels slide back in place easily, and there are no burs or dings on any edge or surface.

Editor’s Choice Best Entry Level Hi-Fi Components

This is a list of budget components that has caught our attention over the year.

Electrocompaniet EMC 1 UP CD Player Review

The absence of sufficient body and warmth in digital components has been one of the chief complaints (there have been others) made about digital.

Reviews and Featured Articles
Expert hi-fi audio reviews, blogs, and audio articles.