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Mono Blocks on a Budget, is it possible?

I’m really struggling with the direction to take my system. I have the following:

Legacy Classics speakers
Aurender N100H media player
Schiit Freya tube pre-amp
Schiit Yggdrasil DAC
Schiit Vidar x2 (in mono block mode)

I will be replacing speakers at some point but the rest of the system I love... except the Vidars. Before them, I had NAD 356BEE that was used for the amp. Very clean and I loved it, except it was only 80 Watts. I decided to upgrade to the Vidars. They cost twice as much From a good manufacturer like Schiit so they must be better right? Not really. They are more noisy than the NAD amp and I’m finding myself less in love with them that I though I would be. I was planning the Vidar purchase for about a year and now that I got them I don’t know which direction to take in replacing them. I want to get cleaner mono amps but don’t want to spend more than $3k MAX for both. The Vidars are 400 Watts into 8ohm, are there any options out there for me that are close to the Vidar specs? I’m open to used but mostly I want the amps to sound almost completely clean with practically no distortion. 
xerotrace

Showing 4 responses by erik_squires

erik_squires
15,870 posts
 
I definitely think that in the linear power supply "world" this has more merit than in the switch mode power supply "world" as is typical of class d amps such as ICE and Hypex.

The problem is I have seen very little data on this.

Hypex as well as ICE devices may or may not share a power supply. Not only is the risk of possible channel to channel crosstalk increased, but perhaps other noise going from one amp to another is also more possible. I believe I have seen some data suggesting that due to the amplifier switching being rather RF like, it was possible for one Class D amp to affect another if placed too closely together. 

However, again, I lack data so I am unable to make any sort of determination. :)

One other trait about monoblocks: You can make your speaker cables super short.

But honestly, I think overall the point that money is best saved and spent on other things has a lot of merit. I happen to have gotten a super sweet deal on my ICEpower modules, so spent way too little even as monoblocks. :) 

Best,

E
erik_squires
15,870 posts
 
I see no reason to get "mono-blocks" if you're doing class D as literally the only difference is two power cords vs. one. I suppose that's another opportunity to waste $300-$1000 x 2 on expensive "directional" power cables, but it'd be a total waste.

Depends on the amplifier. To be a true dual mono, requires splitting of the power supplies at the incoming AC power. If you share a power supply there is increased capacity for crosstalk, which is readily visible in crosstalk measurements (which I guess Stereophile no longer will do). Lots of the ICEpower modules for instance com in powered (AS) and non powered (A) so you can create whatever kind of amplifier you wish. 

Not all Class-D have dual power supplies, so therefore, yes, there is some difference possible. 

Can you hear it? I don't know. :) 

But it's more than just about power cords. 

Best,


E
erik_squires
15,870 posts
 
One aspect of monoblocks not mentioned: Channel separation. 

In truth, not sure how much this matters. Some great sounding stereo amplifiers score rather poorly (-67 dB or more). 

But this is an advantage. The theoretically near perfect isolation of signals from one channel to any other. 

Best,

E
erik_squires
15,870 posts
 
If you feel like getting your feet wet in Class D, and a little DIY at the same time, how about a pair of nCore amplifiers?

https://www.hypexshop.com/

I was going to recommend the ICEpower 250 ASPs but they seem to have left ebay.

Best,

E
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