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Do Mono Block amps provide better sound ??

My question: do monoblock amps, that is, one amp per speaker, provide better sound than one box stereo amp?? I have read that a pair of mono amps provide the best stereo separation, imaging, soundstage depth.... Besides, taking up more floor space or rack space, and the necessity running a longer interconnect if each amp is behind the speaker, is it really worth it?? Thank you Jim
sunnyjim

Showing 2 responses by georgehifi

georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
So I got a second AHB2 and switched to mono mode on both AHB2

Amps that are bridged are not true monoblocks, bridged stereo amps grated get the better single channel power supply I mentioned above and have more wattage than when they were stereo, but all other measured parameters take a hit with bridged amps. I’d far prefer true monoblock amps.
I think the better way with the 3.7’s would have been to keep the AHB2 as stereo on the bass, and have something like a Class-A Schiit Aegir on the mids and highs, no bridging involved then.

Cheers George
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

They both have their pluses and minuses. (EG: monoblocks can have ground loop problems)

The big one for me is stereo amps with common power supply "can" have better "individual channel dynamics", because all the grunt from the powersupply (that is designed to run both channels) will be directed to that single channel if called for in a dynamic slam note, and hence have a better dynamic response in those instances.

Cheers George
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