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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 2 responses by erik_squires

erik_squires
16,726 posts
 

Sorry for not reading your post more fully, OP.

I still think you should NOT compare one brand which you know to another which you haven't heard based on whether they are true monoblocks or bridged stereo amps.

Having made that part clear, a dedicated bridged mono amplifier is superior only because they tend to have a lower minimum impedance.  Usually when you bridge a stereo amp they also raise the minimum speaker impedance.  So if the minimum was 4, it becomes 8 after bridging.  This has to do with the current carrying capabilities of each output stage involved.   There are, of course, exceptions.

Having said all of that I might prefer the sound of a single stereo amp of one brand to any size monoblocks from another.  Depends and I'd not make a switch without a personal audition.

 

erik_squires
16,726 posts
 

I can't imagine making this decision based on the theoretical pro and cons of stereo vs. bridged alone.  If I was buying amps for a touring system maybe... but this?
 

If your hearing is as sensitive as you say it is you should 100% listen for yourself.  I personally could not listen to one of those brands for more than 5 minutes, and bridge vs. stereo won't have anything to do with it.

My suggestion is if you love the Moon's you have stick with them until you actually hear something you like better and ignore everyone elses opinion. 

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