Talk me out of buying Monoblocks and into a stereo amp instead

@immatthewj

of course there are exceptions. in general a parasound JC1 monoblock (for example)  offers 850 watts at 4-ohms in a 107 lb chassis while the same power in a two channel amp would have prohibitive weight and size. It is a way to support the needs of more demanding power requirements while not requiring a hoist to get it into your room.

I tried dual mono block amps and while a high quality design the overall tone and transparency was not what I was after.

As long as the amp has adequate power and capabilities at lower impedances depending on speakers I prefer the sound based on how they sound and not whether they offer an advantage on paper because they have an extra power supply and power cord.

Comparison is only valid in cases when the same amplifier is offered in monoblock and stereo versions by the manufacturer.

Of those, I can't recall a single instance of a stereo version's sound quality being preferred over the monoblocks'.

@jeffreyw I was going to ask, please....

1) For the system you are upgrading to that will have more fine detail. Doesn’t that mean bad recordings will sound worse on your new system versus the McIntosh (w c-12000) which helps with bad recordings since it is softer with less detail?

2) Won’t it always be the case that there will be something you will eventually like better and someday you may sell the Solution system for something else?

3) Could it be that McIntosh would be the compromise between fine detail but not to harsh on music with bad recordings? For instance, I like Dinosaur Jr.... it sounds awful on my Luxman because it sounds so harsh. But on McIntosh at the store it sounds less harsh.

@dman777 

You have some valid points. Being an audiophile is a disease, and we are never satisfied. I love the McIntosh products; they are probably the best value/performance in the industry. Yes, there will always be better. I have been in this game for over 30 years and have not heard a component make such an impression. The sounds I heard coming out of the Soulution was a WTF moment. I do believe because of the Soulution's accuracy, bad recordings will sound really bad! I was always one who enjoyed a warm presentation, but maybe my sound preferences are changing. I hope to do more auditioning of that integrated since it was not fully broken in yet. 

One last thought. The weak point of my system is the C2700; some have characterized it as sounding muddy. I would love to hear what the MC611s would sound like being driven by an EMM Labs DV2i!

I vote for monoblocks. I run a 'vintage' system and I run (2) MC2100s as monoblocks, fed from a Dynaco tube preamp. Very nice sound (at least to my ears) that combines a bit of tube 'color' along with 210 wpc of clean Macintosh SS power.

Plus, as a few others have said - if you go with a stereo amplifier (again), you will always be wondering what the monoblocks would have brought to the table.

Don't wonder - find out!