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Mono amps...

are they all basiclly bridged stereo amps or are some designed with a clean sheet of paper as mono amps? I am asking because I have had monoblocks for more than a decade and like the idea of isolating each channel and having the amps as close to the speakers as possible (in fact I miss stereo consoles...just kidding). Being in the market for Bryston 7B-STs, I asked whether they are, in fact, bridged 4B-STs and was assured they are not. Looking at a review of them, however, I read that they are, indeed, bridged 4Bs. Why I should be concerned about this is not clear even in my own mind. I know there are pros and cons to bridging. The slew rate is dsoubled, if I remember correctly. What it all means is a little more blurred. Any thoughts?
pbb

Showing 1 response by danielk141

danielk141
489 posts
 
I agree with Sean, talk to Bryston & get your info straight
from the amp builder. I believe the appreciable change in
performance from a bridgeable amp running stereo vs. bridged mode is that the "damping factor" is halved when you bridge a stereo amp. Damping factor can be thought of as a measurement of bass control-how well the amp can control the woofer.
Also, bridging the amp halves the impedence presented by the speaker. If you have a 4 ohm speaker like a Magnepan, the bridged amp will see the load as 2 ohms-a lot of amps can't drive a load that low.

Good luck!
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