Although the M500 looks small make no
mistake about what it is. The M500 is a very high performance dedicated
bass instrument amplifier. It not only has incredible power; the sound
quality is as good or better than many so called high-end audio amplifiers
used in expensive hi-fi systems or studio monitor systems. It was designed
from the ground up to take on the hard work any serious musician will
subject it too. It is built from the finest of materials some of, which
may not be obvious to the eye like the 2% silver-solder connections
that will never fail due to oxidization or simply old age. Just about
every other bass amp uses regular 60/40lead/tin solder. Silver solder
lasts longer and can actually improve the sound due to lower contact
resistance.
The M500 uses M.O.S.F.E.T technology (MOSFET
- Metal Oxide Silicon Field Effect Transistor) in the output power amplification
stage where they generate the massive amount of power to drive the loudspeakers.
Although our MOSFETs are more than 3 times as expensive than bi-polar
transistors, they are better suited to the application of bass guitar
amplifiers than any other kind of output device. In fact they are the
ideal output “device” when it comes to power amplification.
The MOSFET devices in the M500 are almost indestructible and it is almost
impossible to blow these up by accident.
They truly are far more superior when compared to the standard bipolar
devices used in other bass amplifiers. (Typical bipolar devices will
blow faster than a fuse can save them)
The M500 has several protection circuits
to prevent it from being damaged. Heat and current-limiting sensors
detect when the amplifier is nearing danger and will automatically shut
down the amp. Even if the fuse blows, there is a second spare fuse located
in the back panel to replace it. The M500 sounds more “tube”
like than a solid-state amplifier. The M500 is “warmer”
sounding than regular bi-polar transistor amps making it more musically
appealing. The substantial weight of the M500 is attributed to a massive,
high-current, magnetically shielded, torroidal power supply to feed
the MOSFETs, along with a huge reservoir, 40,000uF of capacitors. This
gives the speakers powerful and punchy bass response with no booming
or cone flapping. Even at high volume levels the M500 will control your
speakers with a vise like grip.
The chassis is made from 1/10-inch
thick (2.5-mm) steel improving the grounding and magnetic shielding,
which reduces noise. It also makes it incredibly tough to withstand
the rigors of the road. No competitor’s bass amps are built this
tough. The M500 has a UL approved power transformers and all components
have voltage and current ratings well beyond their operating range.
The extensive pre-amp section was
engineered for both passive and active basses. A comprehensive 2-section
equalization was employed to give unlimited amount of control of bass
tone. The compressor circuit was devised to be quick and simple to use
yet effective on playing. Great attention was devoted to make this amplifier
extremely low noise so it can be used in both recording situations and
live performances where is necessary to connect the M500 to other sound
equipment such as a mixing console.
