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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
erik_squires
16,733 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.

 

dman777 OP
63 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?

barts's avatar
barts
764 posts
 

Seems you answered your own question with "I love the Moon audio 761 sound".

I have bridged two ARC amps to run the bass channel in a tri-amped system. it worked very well, but I'll admit that as long as any distortion is low I certainly can't hear it as well as other persons ears I trust.  They have since been replaced by Pass Labs X260.8 monos.

dman777, go with the sound that you love.  They'll make you smile every day.

Regards,

barts

 

dynamiclinearity
321 posts
 

If amps are really designed to be bridged they can be wonderful. Some amps are already bridged such as Pass lab amps and they ain't too bad.

toyman
50 posts
 

I bought a used Moon 700i. The single chassis is 2 mono amps and a pre, all separate power supplies, short connection paths internally. Only analog.

Look used if you like the sound of certain brands. Patience, and you will find your gear.

I bought 2 pieces from The Music Room. They inspect the gear, take good pictures, 30 days to return, 90 days warranty on used. 

My Tambaqui, Grimm MU1 and Treo CTs were all used.

I bought new cables: Sablon and Fidelium cables over multiple years.

 

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