To monoblock or not to monoblock McIntosh MC275's

My experience using the MC275 as monoblocks was that it was a little louder and a little more dynamic, but for my personal taste it wasn't worth it. While I love the tube sound, I use my system for hours at a time daily and I decided to go with SS. MC601's give my speakers a ton of power that fits more with mostly rock music that I listen too. Jazz was dreamy with the MC275 but I listen to it about 5%-10% of the time.

As for your original question about the benefits of mono blocs vs. stereo...
I found the advantages were precisely what I had hoped for... in fact they were even better than I had imagined they could be:
My experience with both tubed and SS mono blocs ( independently auditioned) was that monos consistently delivered a broader, deeper soundstage and within that stage were more tangibly located 3 dimensional performers/ instruments and the billowing sense of air and space around them. In other words... a far more realistic presentation and a pronounced step ahead in the holy grail we’re chasing: believability.
I have found this consistent with each and every brand of mono bloc amplifiers I have used including SS by Krell and Pass as well as tube amps by Conrad Johnson, VTL, and Tube Research Labs.
I find it hard to believe that “YMMV” (“Your Mileage May Vary” LOL) because the exact mentioned results have been so consistent across the board. 
Needless to say I highly recommend mono blocs whenever attainable based on my decades of experience comparing them with single stereo amplifiers. 
Happy Lissn’n

Adding to this 6 years old thread, as recently I'm planning to upgrade to 275 Mk 6 in monoblock setup.

I have been already running 275 mk 5 in monoblocks for the last 13 years. And my experience is very much similar to that @lissnr detailed in his post. Broader, deeper sound stage, more airy representation, defined placing of instruments.

However, I must say that the strength of monoblocks became more obvious when I moved from c2300 to c12000 and also added dCS Rossini as the frontend player. (My speakers remained the same in the last 13 years - Sonus Faber Cremona M)

Currently thinking of upgrading from mk5 to mk6 in monoblock setup. Originally I was considering 2301. But given the price difference and size of my room (13x15x11) I thought of moving to mk6. Also heard mixed feedback on 2301.

Anyone, here have experience with running 2301s ?

 

Regards,

Sourav

 

If you have the money, then monoblock would satisfy that want.  Also depends what speakers you are driving?  The difference is so minimal that you will tell yourself there is a difference but in actuality, its probably zero.  I bought a pair of Emotiva HC-1 and heard no sonical difference, now they are used my backyard for BBQ.

The only thing cooler than one MC275, is two of them.