You really haven’t experienced the full benefit of “true” dual mono amplifier set up as you are using 2 stereo amplifiers “bridged” where amplifier phase of one channel has been inverted - that is why you are now using the positive L and R terminals for a single speaker. Bridging typically halves the minimum impedance the amplifier can safely handle, lowers the damping factor, and increases THD and noise. Bridged amplifiers are typical limited to speakers with a nominal 8 ohm impedance with no significant dips below 6 ohms.
Moving from a stereo amp to a dual mono set up
I thought this would have been not much a change and easily accomplished.
Boy was I wrong. I found a second Plinius SA102 on Audiogon a few months ago at a great price. I had it drop shipped to Ralph Abramo for a good going through. A few weeks later and it was done so I drove to his shop to pick it up. I asked about how to set up the amp for dual mono. A easy thing to do. Change the position of a switch in the back and connect the speaker wires to both R / L positive leads and connect the input to the right channel.
My speaker wires are Straight Wire Cresendo 3's. The leads are not able to reach the 9" spread to the positive speaker connections of the amp. I spoke with Straight Wire, they can alter the cables to a 12" long lead so they can reach. OK, shipped them out yesterday.
Now considering my electrical plug issue. One more plug is something I do not have. I have a older PS Audio AC filter that can receive up to 8 inputs. But I do not like the idea of running 2 high power amps through it. I want to do directly into the wall for my power.
I called an electrician and he is coming over next week to do a Job Walk. to see what it will cost to add a new circuit to my power panel and run the wires for a new plug.
Then there is the physical amp to deal with. I need a second stand to get the amp off the floor.
I will have to disconnect and move my existing equipment and stands around to make the system visually balance out.
Then there is still one question I am not sure of. Do my current XLR cables from Preamp reach across to the new positions of the amps. Are they long enough?
All this equipment is between the speakers. I like where the speakers are right now.
- ...
- 26 posts total
Myrna Loy Chooses Her Paint Scheme The "Mr, Blandings" film always reminds of the famous scene above which always suggests to me the discontents and headaches of audiophilia. |
Ok I am all done. Costs for the electrician was $960. He ran 2 circuits from the box to my wall. Large wire. 20 amps available. I patched the holes and painted the wall from snaking wires down. I bought a second amp stand. Then there is the amp and rebuild. About $4000 total for that. Altered speaker cables $160. Also they sold me 2 new power cables for the amp. $1225 total from the power cables. The guy that sold me the used SA 102 amp said it was in perfect condition. Ralph told me that it looked like it had water damage internal. That caused problems. But now all this is behind me. The system is really good. I have (2) Plinius SA 102 amps running mono producing about 250 upcoming ea Audio Research Ref 3 pre amp Canton Ref 3 speakers Wyred4sound 10th anniversary DAC Aurender N10 streamer Teac VTS transport cd Dr Feickert Volare turntable Unami blue cart mc Stogi unipiviot arm. All the hi zoot wires I need. PS power filter
|
- 26 posts total