500MB vs Mark Levinson No. 436
The No. 436's power @ 8ω is 350W against the 500MB's 500W, its power @ 4ω 700W against 1.0kW, its signal-to-noise 89 dB against 100 dB, and its output impedance 0.05Ω against 8Ω.
AI-generated product photo — not official manufacturer imagery.
AmplifiersPower AmplifiersDiscontinued
Estimated price (community-sourced)
$6,000
Around — community and catalog average, updates slowly
About the 500MB
The Cary Audio Design 500MB is a high-performance monoblock power amplifier offering 500 watts into 8 ohms and 1000 watts into 4 ohms. It features both balanced and RCA inputs with 1.4 volt input sensitivity, making it suitable for use with passive preamplifiers. The amplifier is praised for combining the harmonic richness and warmth of tube amplifiers with the dynamic power, bass control, and high-frequency extension typical of solid-state designs. It weighs approximately 45 pounds and is available with silver or black faceplates. Protection circuits include short circuit, thermal, and DC offset protection to ensure reliability and speaker safety. The 500MB is regarded as a summit in solid-state amplifier design, delivering exceptional musical detail, harmonic completeness, and dynamic ability.
Specifications
Power Specifications
Amplification power output and characteristics
- Power @ 8Ω
- 500W @ 8Ω
- Power @ 4Ω
- 1.0kW @ 4Ω
Analog Output
Analog signal output specifications
- SNR
- 100 dB
- Output Voltage
- 1.4V RMS
- Output Impedance
- 8Ω
Connectivity
Input and output connections
- Analog Inputs
- XLR, RCA
Physical Dimensions
Size, weight, and appearance
- Dimensions
- 448.18 × 127 × 393.7 mm (W × H × D)
- Weight
- 20.41 kg (45 lbs)
Key Specifications
Power: 500W
Specifications are community-contributed and may not be accurate or complete. Verify all details with the manufacturer before making purchasing decisions. Terms & Conditions