MSB Technology M205 Mono Amplifier with heat pipe cooling
An American company with 35 years of experience in the development of audiophile components, MSB Technology, has unveiled the MSB M205 mono amplifier. The model continues the concept of last year’s S202 stereo amplifier, which this time is split and amplified in a pair of monoblocs.
According to MSB, the M205 Mono Amplifier will be especially good with reference brand DACs. At the same time, the signal-to-noise ratio declared for the M205 is more than 130dB.
MSB M205 power supply
Each M205 is equipped with a custom low-noise, high-current toroidal transformer that takes up almost a third of the body’s volume. Hence the weight of the novelty – 41kg. The rest of the place was taken by a discrete balanced single-board circuitry.
The input stage operates in class A with impedance matched. The output stage, also balanced, operates in class AB. MSB claims carefully selected components and a zero negative feedback design.
Billet CNC chassis
As for the body, according to MSB, two chassis are cut from billets of aluminum in 28 hours on CNC machines. The most important part of the process is the creation of a radiator, whose “advantages of the visual profile” in the company noted separately. Its surface area was about 20,000cm² per amplifier. In addition, heat pipes are used in the cooling system.
The case received several grounding pins – they made it possible to fight for the reduction of electromagnetic interference. It can be complemented with signature feet, and finishes include matte silver or black anodized surfaces.
12V triggers
An optional trigger adapter can be used to integrate into a shared control setup. Finally, the most important parameter of the amplifier is the continuous output power, which with an impedance of the connected acoustics of 8Ohms and <1% distortion was 220W.
A pair of MSB Technology M205 monoblocks will cost 68,000 euros.
MSB M205 Mono Amplifier Specifications (per mono amplifier)
| Static Power Consumption | 90 Watts On Standby power less than 2 watts |
| Operating Voltage Range | 120/240V (Auto switching) 100V (Fixed) |
| Fuse | 1/4″x1-1/4″ 10A 250V Slow Blow |
| Input | 1x XLR Input |
| Output | 2x Binding post set per channel |
| Controls | Input Impedance Switch On/Off Button Standby Button Display Dimmer 12V Mode Switch 2x MSB 12V trigger port |
| Continuous Power Output (8Ω) < 1% distortion | 220 W |
| Continuous Power Output (4Ω) < 1% distortion | 400 W |
| Dual Bi-Amp Continuous Power Output (8Ω) < 1% distortion | 200W |
| Dual Bi-Amp Continuous Power Output (4Ω) < 1% distortion | 380W |
| Frequency Response (20 to 20kHz) | ±0.03dB |
| Signal to Noise (20 to 22kHz) | >130dB (>133dBA) |
| Equivalent Input Noise (22kHz BW) | 0.65μV |
| Gain (150Ω source impedance) | 23.8dB |
| Input Impedance (User Selectable) | 75Ω / 300Ω / 1.2kΩ |
| Output Impedance (20 to 20kHz) | 0.01Ω |
| Topology | |
| Input/Gain Stage | – Class-A – Double balanced – Impedance matched – Fully discrete – Independent power |
| Output Stage | – Class-AB – Balanced – Medium bias – Current gain only |
| Chassis Dimensions (Per Mono Block) | |
| Width: | 16 in (404 mm) |
| Depth: | 19 in (483 mm) |
| Height: | 6.5 in (165 mm) Without Feet 7 in (178 mm) With Feet |
| Weight: | 90 lbs (41 kg) |
| Product Feet: | M6X1 Thread 3 or 4 Foot Configuration |
| Shipping Dimensions (Per Mono Block) | |
| Width: | 24 in (610 mm) |
| Depth: | 28.25 in (718 mm) |
| Height: | 16.5 in (419 mm) |
| Weight: | 137 lbs (62 kg) |
| Included Accessories | |
| User Manual IEC Power Cord |
