2. amps-preamps
  3. 194521-184484

Is it better to get dedicated monoblocks instead of bridging stereo paired amps?

I am trying to decide between MacIntosh MC611 monoblocks or 2 SimAudio Moon Audio 761 amps used as monoblocks (bridge stereo channels). 

I love the Moon audio 761 sound. It is so good. Def. my favorite. The only issue for me is, when you bridge the stereo to use them as monoblocks it lessens the damping factor (only miniscule). And there is a large amount more gain in the bridged operation and probably a slight rise in the noise floor. I confirmed this with tech support. 

I have only heard the 761 as a stereo in person, I have not heard 2 pairs in bridge mode and I won't be able to have that opportunity. 

I guess what I am trying to figure out is... for my use case, am I better off going with the MC611's since they are dedicated monoblocks? I am worried that I will notice the difference with the 761s in bridge mode and be disappointed. My hearing is very sensitive to amp sound characteristics (hence why I enjoy hifi so much).   

dman777

Showing 3 responses by dman777

dman777 OP
60 posts
 

Wow, thank you all for this valuable information and saving me from making a expensive mistake. 

It seems if I want that Moon Audio North collection sound, I will have to settle on a 861 stereo amp. They have the 888 monoblock but it is to expensive for me. They have the 400 mono amp which is not in the Northbound collection and from the price of it, I don’t think it would have same level of Moon Audio quality that I enjoy so much in the North collection.  

I need a lot headroom... I really pick up on it when a amp has a lot of headroom. When I compared the Moon 761 stereo amp (200/400 watts) to the McIntosh 462 stereo amp, I could tell the McIntosh was more powerful because it just sounded more open and more there. I still preferer the Moon Audio 761 sound overall, but I know eventually there would be times when I wish I had more headroom when I ether have a low recording, feel like jamming out super loud, or upgrade to speakers that could be more demanding (like Dynaudios).

dman777 OP
60 posts
 

Thank you for the valuable information again, it is quite a interesting learning experience. 

Unfortunately, there are no stores where I can compare the MC611 monoblocks to the Moon Audio 861. 

Hard decision.... if I went with the Moon Audio 861 stereo amp, I would loose the black levels and separation/soundstage that the MC611 monoblocks would have from being monoblocks?

dman777 OP
60 posts
 

As much as I loved the 761 Moon sound, I could never do just a single Moon 761. When I compared the Moon 761 to the McIntosh 462, I could tell the difference in the McIntosh having more headroom and just sounding more open from it. The Moon had way more detail, richer body, incredible tight bass than the McIntosh. But because of the wattage, the McIntosh had more presence and was felt like it opened the speakers (dynaudio towers that were $15k) more to breath. 

More to discover