I can testify to this. I had a Sony TA N55 es amp which is a stereo amp but is bridgable to mono, it's a great sounding amp in stereo, but cutisoty got the better of me so I picked up a second one and run them as a pair of mono blocks, and the difference was immediately apparent. The most noticeable area was in the bass, it didn't suddenly become louder but separation and detail improved, I could feel the space between the bass guitar and other low end instruments, I could hear texture to the low end which wasn't there before, subtle details from the string surface which I'm used to hearing in the mid range are now apparent on the low end instruments. I could also hear increased separation and transparency across the whole frequency range, with the right recordings the speakers even disappear, if I close my eyes and listen to Fleetwood Mac rumours it's like the band is spread out in front of me and I can't pinpoint the speakers location. These sony amps are a great way to get into monoblocks as they go for less than £400 each on the used market, so less than £800 I have an incredibly transparent dual mono set up which to my ears out performs any stereo amp I've had up to now.
i have two AudioSource 310 amps, and a NAD preamp. that can connect to two amps.. but only the left channel of the amp, sound, can i invert the cables to listen the right channel ?? how to wire them to listen stereo ? Please help..
Sounds good... So under the monoblock logic shouldn't we also make mono-preamps too? Separate boxes for left and right line-level input signals with separate power supplies for each? - Delicate line-level signal handling is more important than brute amplification signal handling.
Larry Niles Any good used 1000wRMS 4ohm Monoblocks in the $2500-$3000 range? I'm thinking about getting Emotiva XPA-DR1 Monoblocks for my Axiom M80 L/R Towers to go along with my XPA-5 that is running my VP180 Center, etc. I might be trading up to M100's, my current M80/VP180 all have the High Output Drivers in them. I'm also looking into Audiocontrol's offerings.
Watch out when thinking of buying tube mono blocks. They usually have 4 small tubes and 4 power tubes each. They will sound so amazing and you will listen to them 10 hours a day! But then you need to replace the tubes every year which will cost around $500. After the new tubes are burned in a couple of days you will again be amazed by the beautiful tube sound! (+subwoofer)
I remember I was laughed at when I was a teenager (and there was no internet), I had gone ahead and used separate amplifiers for the left and right channel external speakers for output out of my boombox. I was emphatically told by my seniors that “Stereo Amplifiers are different than Mono amplifiers” and you cannot use mono amplifiers for creating a stereo. Finally after decades, I have the right answer from the expert himself. Thanks Paul!
They were right, creating a stereo sound requires processing the original signal into separate channels (you need a receiver or pre amp to do this). Once that is done, each channel can be amplified separately and sent to a speaker. Mono block amplifiers do not process signals, they only amplify them.
@@quitmanlott7394 I know. I am talking about amplifying not processing the signal. It seems you have misunderstood what I said. The boom has already processed through stereo signal, and the RCA outputs are for L+R
Hi Paul I just saw your video Stereo vs. Monoblock. I would like to know if bridging the ampliers can produce the same effect as Monoblock. Thanks Paul
2 bridged mono amplifiers will be just as good. Downside some manufacturers amplifiers limit what the impedance can drop to. I.e The amplifier used in stereo mode single chassis may play from 8 ohms and doubles in power as the impedance drops 10 watts 8 ohms. 20 watts 4 ohms. 40 watts 2 ohms. But in bridge mode this may not be the case. It is highly recommended to check the compatibility of your amplifiers and speakers also take into consideration, speaker sensitivity and component thermal heat and circulation. In a nutshell do the research and enjoy.
Two points, I'd like to make. All components with amplification can use "monoblcking" - ie. separate transformers, power supplies, and grounds for each side. Whether that is your CD player, tuner, amp, preamp, or even your auxiliary units like an EQ. If it amplifies, it can benefit from "monoblocking". You CAN have two monoblocks inside the same box. Remember, that case is really just a faraday cage and a convenient way to mount stuff. It's entirely possible to put in a second transformer and keep the grounds separated. Quite frankly, it surprises me that it's not done more often. And my second point is - while it may make some sense to have two separate transformers, it does not make much sense to have two separate units. Most people will be plugging both into the same circuit, if not the same wall plug. This ties them both together anyway. Two separate power supplies sharing the same primary winding in a transformer can create a situation where the draw from one might affect the current available to the other. But there's two arguments against that - first, that happening at all means the transformer wasn't big enough for the job. And second, the voltage regulator is supposed to compensate for that. This is why we want those coke can sized capacitors on the other side of the regulator. One of my pet peeves about stereo equipment is the lack of EM isolation inside the unit. I open up a unit and am faced directly with the power supply, out in the open, in proximity to everything else, and sometimes even with signal wiring routed near it. Yes, it costs a dime or two to put that power supply inside a faraday cage. And yet, it would cost a few more to put processor chips in faraday cages. But the S/N ratio should greatly benefit in most cases. Yet, almost nobody does it.
Ser Loin of Lamm Pre-amps don’t draw that much current as power-amps so the crosstalk problem is almost negligible. Cross-talk is just like the water pipes in your house. When taking a shower you turn on both hot and cold water and you feel comfortable. But when your kid suddenly flushes the toilet, the cold water gets drained and you get too much hot water. With stereo power-amps, when one channel suddenly draws a lot of current the other channel gets weak.
Sorry if this was answered elsewhere in the comments, but what about stereo amps with a bridged mono switch like my Adcom 555 MK2? Would the mono-mode use sound better than just one amp in stereo mode?
I used to own a Cambridge A250 monoblock that had the bridging circuit removed at some point, effectively turned it into a 50+50 dual monoblock stereo amp. The channels shared the same PC board but the psu was split and it had 2 toroidal transformers. That amp was not much to look at but boy it produced the goods, a wolf in sheep's clothing. As an audio repair expert once pointed out to me its not a case of the psu supplying power to the amp. The psu IS the amp and the transistors etc are the 'shutters'.
fradaja yes sharing the same box is a compromise I agree. But having two distinct power supplies is definitely a step up than a typical single power supply stereo amp eh?
So what about using a bridge stereo amp or using only one channel on a stereo amp? Does it then make it the same as a monoblock? In other words, is the issue just with sharing components or is there something special about monoblocks that isn't present in a stereo amp?
Try to find a friend with a pair of monoblocks. I have been an audiophile for 48 years. I started with proaudio so I have bridged many times. Join a club and have someone bring their ampos over to your house. The most cost effective are the emotiva monoblocks. 500 watts into 8 ohms and 1000 into 4 ohms and they sound close to excellent!. If you would like to know my method for affording audio gear please private message me.
Larry Niles I have never heard Emotiva amps, but I have consistently heard that B&K amps are superior (Emotiva are harsh and bright in comparison) and I have plenty of them. I also have the Parasound JC 1 mono blocks that are said to have the bass control of Bryston amps and the JC1s are a whole new level above B&K.
If anybody knows the answer, thank you. How does this apply in car audio? Usually we think of monoblocks as limited frequency amps used for subwoofers. How about Full range monoblocks for left and right channels in a car?
Hint: Camera is much easier to maneuver over amp to look inside...lol I thought you were going to have coronary....lol I agree with the isolation of your amps and providing much more power and quality sound to your speakers. Especially when you have expensive Electrostatics or high-end towers or bookshelf speakers. For example, I had been using my Denon AVR X-3500H bi-amped to my Klipsch Icon Series W-35's. I then bought two Outlaw mono-blocks and there was a huge difference. I think Outlaw amps are really good and priced competitively. What is your take on Outlaw amps? The two Outlaw mono-blocks were $399.00 each.
True story. I have a pair of Benchmark AHB2 amps, and the difference between running one and running two, is very significant. Images are larger. It's a little more resolving. It brings an ease to the system.
In New Zealand a local product is Plinius. I have a tweaked Plinius 8150 (class AB) integrated that sounds pretty good but is no match for my pair of Plinius SA-50 amps (class A/AB stereo) that I run in bridged mode as monoblocks. Paul is correct that when you get up to a certain level of sound quality separating the channels makes a significant difference.
Hey Paul, Why is the Sprout 100 designed long instead of wide given all the connections in the back? Also, can PS Audio make Sprout monoblocks and a preamp for those of us who don't have 15K$ at the moment? Cheers, Marc in Montreal
@@ilovecops6255 Yeah and digital is also made from 15$ worth of capacitors and chips . Nobody cares if an amp is efficient, That's just a sales pitch , efficiency only matters when it's in a 12v car , not plugged into the wall .... If your amps digital and under 5 grand its Inferior to AB and tube . Tired of this opinion, nothing personal
Paul, would you comment on stereo amps that can be switched to act as mono amps? Does it still suffer from the same drawbacks as a conventional stereo amp would over a dedicated mono design?
what about dual mono designs like, for example the primaluna? Could not they do it as well? the only shared component is the power cord, but it just means the two meet at the power cord rather than 30cm later at the socket
does this apply to 2 identical stereo amps but just using the left output only on one amp for one speaker, and the right output only on the other amp for another speaker ? so one amp per speaker
Yes...yes..yes.... Paul....old school all the way.... everything you have said is 100% correct...It is the best explanation of monoblock I have ever heard...once you build a stereo with two monoblock amps you never go back to a power amp.... I bought my first B&K power amplifier in 1989 and two years later I traded it in for two monoblocks.. there are so many really great deals on monoblock amplifiers... expecially older ones... you also forgot to mention with a very good crossover unit, the high and low frequencies are unmatched to any other system including digital systems....
For 2 Chanel stereo...Is this class A , B or D ? I don't really like class D...can I connect mono blocks to my marantz model 40n ? What about using. Rose streaming DAC and connect 2 mono locks...can I do that and is it good
So if the amplifier has 1 set of rca input red is channel 1 and whiteis channel 2 but has 2 channels. Is it stereo mono? Also the 2 channels can be bridged (speaker output)
I went for two 2-channel power-amps and bridged them so each of them had just 1 speaker to take care of but now I've changed them back to stereo amplifiers where one power-amp takes care of the midrange/treble to both speakers and one power-amp takes care of the bass to both speakers. Don't know if it's worse to do like I have it now but something in my brain tells me it's better and nicer now.
Can we make a 2.1 channel amp using mono blocks.. I mean 3 blocks for left , right and bass... At the input end we need to filter our bass from both the channels then feed it to third mono block.. The filtered left and right channel can than go their respective monoblocks.. This entire thing is a question, I am an just getting into these amp things not much knowledge.. hence asking can such a thing be done and if yes..will it make any difference.?????
@@dontpanic1982 turned out really well! They beat the Grimm LS1Be and many other expwnsive speakers according to the owner of my local high end store 😁.
Hey Paul .. I was curious... If I took two identical stereo amps and split the audio between the 2 (left ONLY to one -- and right ONLY to the other) would it somewhat duplicate the same effect? Or is not using the other channel not make any difference becauae the unit would still assume power for the channel even if it wasnt used???
Possible comparison with car engine: car with a higher engine volume, and the same number of horsepower (like other one with less volume), can work more easily with the same loads, it can pull more, it can last for longer... in the way, that engine is not faster, or that monoblock is not louder, but it makes everything ... more beautiful.
Not really the point. The point is you isolate the left and right signal paths throughout the amplification process. It's the isolation that makes the difference, not the power.
Mind expanding on this? Just wondering is it the response? Is it cleaner? Is there any point having a mono-channel amp per speaker in a surround sound system? I'm very fascinated with this
i have two AudioSource 310 amps, and a NAD preamp. that can connect to two amps.. but only the left channel of the amp, sound, can i invert the cables to listen the right channel ?? how to wire them to listen stereo ? Please help..
Do all solid state amplifiers sound the same if they are working within normal parameters and are adequately suited for driving their speakers ? Also yes.
Well, I do not care for spending money on placebo effect. Especially after over 30 years of blind tests proving unequivocally that "all amps sound the same". So, yeah, I guess I'm not very demanding, relying on actual science and all...
+bare nekid I don't have to believe it. It has been scientifically proven to be true, beyond a shadow of doubt at this point, by years and years of double blind. As long as they are adequate amplifiers I can't hear a difference, you can't hear a difference, no one can.
In other words: audio engineers are not successful in isolating both channels in a stereo amplifier. Channel separation of cartridges is at best 30 db. Any sufficient stereo amp can handle easily 60 db. In that terms, what's the benefit?
can i replicate a mono-block amplifier. if i have 2 stereo amplifiers and bridge 1 amp on the right channel and bridge 1 amp on the left channel. is this accomplishing the same exact thing. what would be the benefits vs 2 mono-blocks vs 2 stereo amps ran i this configuration?
I had used Dynaco Mark III monoblocks for years and at one time had 4 of these amps. The output tubes needed to be changed about every two years and were becoming expensive at $18 each. I decided to go solid state and purchased a used Marantz model 15. This amp appeared on the front like any other stereo power amp, but was in fact a dual monoblock unit. The only problem I had is that it did not match up with the AR-3a speakers well and the "overload" light would flicker. These speakers a nominal 4 ohms and actually approach 3 ohms at some frequencies.. I traded for a Marantz 250M which I am still using.
Did I write it already? But, if yes, then once more: I use a Dynavox TPR3 Tube Preamp, and this Preamp is connected to 2 Dynavox ET100 Stereo Poweramps. BUT! I use them as Monoamplifiers. That's quite easy, I just hooked them up with two Y-Cables, so that both Channels of 1 Stereo Amp are either the right or on the other amp both channels are the left Channel. Since I use vertical Bi-Amping for my 4way (Refrigerator sized) Loudspeakers, this is the best solution for my needs... So, the Subwoofer is one channel, and midbass-coupler, midrange, and tweeter are fed by the second channel of the same amp. And it did cost me an apple and an egg compared to some other monoblock systems lol... For my ears, the dynamic is great, and the tube Preamp delivers the tube-sound I love...
I love your videos very much Paul. I own two vintage Sony TA-NR1 monoblocks and I'm absolutely in love with them. Mono is the non plus ultra if they are taken to the limit as you've done with yours... it's not worth to make some featherweight monos. Some haters should think about the inconveniences of putting two of these monos you moved in only one chassis...it's that obvious!
Paul, mono blocks don't share a common ground first (as they use separate chassis, right) and second (mostly but not always) are balanced, i.e. two channel amplifying the plus and minus where ground is not referenced by the signal itself. Balanced operation doubles the voltage swing and the slew rate.
Paul, I was told to achieve the very best...have 2 monoblocks per channel....so one handles mid-highs and other lows ...so 4 monoblocks in total but is this true or snake-Oil ?
@Richard NZ Agreed. That would be the best. But since I use a stereo amps to drive the woofers and the mid/high range ribbon planar magnetic drivers separately on a pair of Eminent Technology LFT8 loudspeakers, the amp channel driving the more reactive woofer is isolated from the nearly purely resistive load that the other channel sees from the planar mid/high drivers. An active crossover would very likely still be best, but this method, with these kinds of speakers, almost achieves a similar (and much cheaper) improvement effect due to the easy load of the planar magnetic drivers being driven by their own channel. Had I been driving a more traditional dynamic three-way loudspeaker, then there's no question that an electronic crossover would be far superior.
Very informative and thanks for the Always precious advice. A nice thing with monoblocks is that they can be placed close to the speakers and long XLRs cables can be used for line level signals as well. I read somewhere that is better to keep speakers cables as short as possible. I did not understand clearly why. But that is what i read. And that balanced connections can run for several meters without particular loss in signal quality. Kind regards, gino
@P T Hi thanks for the kind and valuable advice. I have a very tricky situation at home with cables My feeling is that using XLRs from source to preamp and from the pre to the power amp lowers the overall noise And given that noise is not music the lower the noise the better the music Unfortunately i cannot find a low power stereo power amp with xlr input I do not need many watts at all Kind regards gino
Thanks for the video Paul. Basically a pair of mono blocks are more advantageous than a stereo power amp. However, the extra cost is enormous and therefore carefully consider whether you should actually buy monoblocks. If money and space are not a problem, clearly buy mono blocks. But, monoblock is not equal to monoblock. There are stereo power amplifiers from a manufacturer X, which are better than monoblocks of manufacturer Y. Many greetings from Germany
Could you maybe make a big box and put two small mono blocks and a preamp in the big box? And you would have an integrated amp that sounds better? Maybe class D for a more compact unit.
Quite a few mono amps have dual binding posts that allow owners to decide if they want to run independent wire runs to the HF and LF posts on their speakers. Now, I'm not going to weigh in on "bi-wiring" . That's an audio topic similar to Religion, It's just best to let people believe in whatever it is they want. So long as it's not harming anyone and it gives the individual some joy, then bi-wire or don't bi-wire to your heart's content. :)
It's indeed talking in absolute terms / generalize as you express because there are dual mono amplifiers also sharing only the AC cable or even with two AC connections. I've had several of them like the Levinson ML-3 and Krell KSA-100. Biggest disadvantage is then that those dual monaural amps tend to be very heavy with two transformers and a bunch of those big filtercaps. When J. Gordon Holt the former and now late chief editor of Stereophile reviewed the Conrad Johnson Premier One an 200 Watts stereo tube-amp (not dual mono though), he complained about its 135 lbs weight, even more than he weighted himself, and he had to call in his publisher to get this herculean amp out of its crate or the review couldn't haven taken place at all due to this situation.. He argued that Conrad Johnson should have made two mono's instead, so the tossing around with it could be done without the risk of an hernia. I have the 'b' version of the Premier One and yes it's a pain in the ... back actually to get it anywhere on your own and I could not lift it out of its crate either without assistance (When alone, trick is to open the top of the crate, lay a cushion or other thick soft item beside it. Turn the crate (or box with any insane American heavy amp) 180 degrees carefully, pull the crate or box up and then turn the amp back on its feet. It was a good point that Gordon Holt made and yes Conrad Johnson made a more manageable mono the Premier Five, but most high wattage Class A/AB amps even in a monaural fashion tend to be heavy also like the big Krells or Rowlands.
Hi, I watch your instructive videos with interest. I like composing music with Sibelius music software and virtual orchestras. Once I finish a composition I export the file as a stereo wav. file that can be reproduced on any stereo equipment. The original Sibelius Software file can have as many separate tracks as one wants, usually one for each instrument. I can export to a wav file with 4 completely separate tracks. I would like to reproduce this 4 track file with reasonably hi fidelity using an amplifier that is really 4 amps in one, or two stereo amps, or 4 mono amps. Not surround but 4 in 4 out, so that I can hear each track completely separately from each of 4 speakers. Please advice what equipment I would need and how to hook it up. Low to medium budget. Do it yourself possible.
Only in the audiophile world do you get half (mono) and have to pay more then a whole. I get there is more cabinet expense and such but in the real world when you buy more then one it usually come with a discount the more you buy.
i feed my system from two different poles and transformers one side of the street for left and one for right. sub i use the underground lines GET ON MY LEVEL
@snibeti snab-xD I use for my left channel power source from europe, and for right channel power from north america. For sub I have a separate oil rig in the midle of North Sea. So good isolation. And beautiful stereo separation! I got past your level
I have been using lately isolated 100% solar energy with a 90deg polarization for left and right solar panels. The reason I 'went solar' is for complete linearity and zero noise (your neighbor's circular saws (any induction motor that sends impulses on each startup) do introduce unwanted frequencies into the power grid; you only want pure 60Hz @110V). Needless to say, that reduced drastically the amps' distortion, but most importantly it keeps the digital clocks in all the DACs, NSDs, NATs and parametric filters synchronized -theoretically for 120k years. For complete channel separation, I'm now using polarized filters so that the photons hitting the left and right solar panels are separated by a 90deg phase, meaning the energy sources do not/can't interact with each-other... That eliminates any cross-talk between the power sources down to quantum-mechanic levels. Needless to say, the stereo imaging is purely hypnotic, it equals the mixing/mastering headphones when it comes to aural presentations. * the tubes don't seem to like the linearity of solar as they sound very precise and lack any sound alteration . It basically turns them into integrated amps with no 'sound effects' -present all the time... where's the fun in that? I am planning on giving an old diesel generator a try for the analog/tube system and if it doesn't work I'll just use a power grid source... I am open to suggestions, as always, wish you all all the best.
I heard every reason he could think of, why Mono block amplifiers are better other than it saves the company money on electronic component costs and it helps them sale more expensive product to the consumer. As a company would I want to sell you 1 item for $1000 that fulfills all your needs or do I want to sell you 2 at $1000 each??? The Great Mono Block sound he was talking about was the sound of the cash registers ringing multiple sells. LOL I'm not mad at you keep hustling.
I built 3 amplifiers as a DIYer and engineer; one with a single transformer powering two separate monoblock boards, second with 2 transformers with each powering a monoblock board, and the third with a single transformer powering a stereo board. These were all using the same lm3886. All that "crosstalk, isolation" talk is undetectable to human ears. Oh, and you think having two power cords makes it so you're not sharing power? Think again. It is absolutely no different than having one power cord (sufficient enough to provide required current) running two transformers in the same box. Your outlets, likely all of them in the same room, are all wired in parallel; the exact same as one power cord wired to power two transformers.
Hi Paul, One thing that confused me in this video is: if the monoblocks are twice as expensive couldn't one used that money to buy a better stereo that, giving the price difference, to sound better than the monoblocks due to higher quality components. If that's the case the conclusion that the monoblocks (in terms of value) are actually worse? On this logic thread, isn't actually about return in comparing higher quality components with less case costs plus lack of separation in the stereo version vs oposits in monoblocks? Regards.
Monoblocks are discreet. Many stereo amps are not. Using bridge mode on any amp is always a bad idea due to the variances in each side's construction and operation.
Isn't a good stereo amp just two monoblocks. sharing a power supply, and if so, does it make that big a difference if the power supply is built correctly? Is the stereo separation that much greater with mono blocks? Thx Paul! Hey Aaron. Malta must be a great place to live now, but during WWII, not so much. Are there many sign of the war still present there? I hope Malta has recovered well from those times!
I am an electrical technician. I view this a little differently from you. I have a 130 watt times 9, high end THX theater amp (9 X130 = 1170 watts). The input power is rated at only 110 VAC @ 650 watts. Do the math, running at 90% efficiency (which is a little high), that's 64.8 watts of power that is available for each channel. When driving only my vintage speakers, my theater amp does great. It did this because when using only those two channels, it draws only 260 watts from a 650 watt power supply. Kick in the other 7 speakers, then its easy to see why that really nice amp comes up way short when also driving the 350 watt vintage speakers *** I also had an older 4 channel 135 per channel Sony amp. Using only two channels made a significant improvement in the punch the bass had. *** I also had a Sansui pure DC stereo amp @ 120 watts per channel that had a 250 watt power supply. That amp could kick the crap out of those same vintage speakers. But that amp was the same age, and it was designed to justly drive those big speakers. In every case, the power supply having more than enough power to do its job, was what made the big difference. That all being said leaves us to one last truth: your best components bring a lot more light into pointing out the weaker ones.
Yes , basically The most efficient way to do this would be to use one amp filtered by an active crossover for low frequency The other amp for the high frequency The reason is like ripples in a pond Small finite details would be unaffected by the drain and magnetic violence happening in the low frequency amp Think ripples in a pond -
If you have two toroid power supplies in an integrated amplifier that will power the left and right channels separately, it is much better than one power supply for the left and right channels.
my good man...you forgot to point out the best part of monoblocks.... no intermodulate distortion between channels past your head unit setup. that makes for very stable imaging and tonal balance especially on well executed two channel live recordings. matching the amps though....that becomes critical and is a bit of a pain to do unless the amps are adjustable se class "a" tube units. :-) my setup goal on installations is to get as close as .01% gain level balance across the bandpass spectrum as possible. that is not always achievable though and i have had to return amps before because they could not be brought within that spec. bias would float too far between them(power supply/regulation instability) some carvers were bad for that once they got a little age on them as well and as of late, a few macintosh units but that doesn't reference new amps. short your input and hook up a meter with your usual load to the speaker terminals and watch the show. an analogue meter of decent quality is the most entertaining. a digital meter is just watching the numbers jump. then trace record a sweep and fft that puppy and see the differences. a little difference goes a long way because:tonal balance and placement within the imaging field. in this game....it's all about being anal retentive for the sake of performance....like so many other hobbies close to the heart.
I'm happy with my set up never will be able to get mono blocks but spent £8000 on my set up and it's the best I've ever heard or will so I'm in heaven anytime I watch a movie in 7.2 or music in 2 channel is bliss for me and have had my set up since end of 2012 and love it as much as the first time I heard it lol but after break in lol even more.
But Paul, you beg the question...are monoblocks ceteris parabis (ie same manufacturer and topology)TWICE as good as stereo, ESP if one has generous transformer and well designed power supply ? in almost all cases certainly not , and for power supply esp will not be really streets vast majority fo listening time unless you are driving an inefficient speaker at loud levels with an undersized Estero amp.
Oh-hello, I have been using lately isolated 100% solar energy with a 90deg polarization for left and right solar panels. The reason I 'went solar' is for complete linearity and zero noise (your neighbor's circular saws (any induction motor that sends impulses on each startup) do introduce unwanted frequencies into the power grid; you only want pure 60Hz @110V). Needless to say, that reduced drastically the amps' distortion, but most importantly it keeps the digital clocks in all the DACs, NSDs, NATs and parametric filters synchronized -theoretically for 120k years. For complete channel separation, I'm now using polarized filters so that the photons hitting the left and right solar panels are separated by a 90deg phase, meaning the energy sources do not/can't interact with each-other... That eliminates any cross-talk between the power sources down to quantum-mechanic levels. Needless to say, the stereo imaging is purely hypnotic, it equals the mixing/mastering headphones when it comes to aural presentations. * the tubes don't seem to like the linearity of solar as they sound very precise and lack any sound alteration . It basically turns them into integrated amps with no 'sound effects' -present all the time... where's the fun in that? I am planning on giving an old diesel generator a try for the analog/tube system and if it doesn't work I'll just use a power grid source... I am open to suggestions, as always, wish you all all the best.
So By his logic, two 2150 monoblocks sound way better than a 3060? Then why audiophile-grade amp makers have a stereoblock too for their reference series?
By better, do you mean more dynamic? The benefits of monoblocks are by nature, the dedicated power supplies and separation of signals (i.e., no signal interference or cross-talk). But I imagine a competently designed stereo / multi-channel amplifier should sound very similar if not identical to a similarly designed monoblock at low to moderate volumes. The benefit of monoblocks (i.e., independent power supplies, signal separation) should really become more apparent / noticeable (if at all) at higher volumes...like you said, this is not meant to be an "absolute" but more of an expected outcome. But at higher volumes monoblocks should at least theoretically maintain better stereo separation and greater dynamic range. There are other factors of course...source quality, rated power output, speaker efficiencies, type of cables used, etc., that could further increase or even nullify the benefits of monoblocks over stereo / multi-channel amps. One more question - in your video response, were you assuming identically powered amplifiers (i.e., (1) 200w stereo amp vs. (2) 100w monoblocks)? What would need to change to make a stereo amp equal to (or better than) a monoblock? Really appreciate / enjoy these videos, many thanks!
I understand why Mono blocks would be better (more money spent on a single signal ) but why twice the price though? Is the build quality basically twice as good?
Absolutely love going back through these older videos
I can testify to this.
I had a Sony TA N55 es amp which is a stereo amp but is bridgable to mono, it's a great sounding amp in stereo, but cutisoty got the better of me so I picked up a second one and run them as a pair of mono blocks, and the difference was immediately apparent. The most noticeable area was in the bass, it didn't suddenly become louder but separation and detail improved, I could feel the space between the bass guitar and other low end instruments, I could hear texture to the low end which wasn't there before, subtle details from the string surface which I'm used to hearing in the mid range are now apparent on the low end instruments.
I could also hear increased separation and transparency across the whole frequency range, with the right recordings the speakers even disappear, if I close my eyes and listen to Fleetwood Mac rumours it's like the band is spread out in front of me and I can't pinpoint the speakers location.
These sony amps are a great way to get into monoblocks as they go for less than £400 each on the used market, so less than £800 I have an incredibly transparent dual mono set up which to my ears out performs any stereo amp I've had up to now.
i have two AudioSource 310 amps, and a NAD preamp. that can connect to two amps.. but only the left channel of the amp, sound, can i invert the cables to listen the right channel ?? how to wire them to listen stereo ? Please help..
I did the same thing with a pair of McIntosh 2100s. The improvement was striking.
Sounds good... So under the monoblock logic shouldn't we also make mono-preamps too? Separate boxes for left and right line-level input signals with separate power supplies for each? - Delicate line-level signal handling is more important than brute amplification signal handling.
4:38 It's not for the faint of "wallet"
Gurn Nardley
You beat me to it.
Larry Niles Any good used 1000wRMS 4ohm Monoblocks in the $2500-$3000 range? I'm thinking about getting Emotiva XPA-DR1 Monoblocks for my Axiom M80 L/R Towers to go along with my XPA-5 that is running my VP180 Center, etc. I might be trading up to M100's, my current M80/VP180 all have the High Output Drivers in them. I'm also looking into Audiocontrol's offerings.
If you think HiFi is ridiculous, musical instruments can be worse.
Watch out when thinking of buying tube mono blocks. They usually have 4 small tubes and 4 power tubes each. They will sound so amazing and you will listen to them 10 hours a day! But then you need to replace the tubes every year which will cost around $500. After the new tubes are burned in a couple of days you will again be amazed by the beautiful tube sound! (+subwoofer)
I remember I was laughed at when I was a teenager (and there was no internet), I had gone ahead and used separate amplifiers for the left and right channel external speakers for output out of my boombox. I was emphatically told by my seniors that “Stereo Amplifiers are different than Mono amplifiers” and you cannot use mono amplifiers for creating a stereo. Finally after decades, I have the right answer from the expert himself. Thanks Paul!
Even as a bluetooth for audiophile
They were right, creating a stereo sound requires processing the original signal into separate channels (you need a receiver or pre amp to do this). Once that is done, each channel can be amplified separately and sent to a speaker. Mono block amplifiers do not process signals, they only amplify them.
@@quitmanlott7394 I know. I am talking about amplifying not processing the signal. It seems you have misunderstood what I said. The boom has already processed through stereo signal, and the RCA outputs are for L+R
Hi Paul I just saw your video Stereo vs. Monoblock. I would like to know if bridging the ampliers can produce the same effect as Monoblock. Thanks Paul
2 bridged mono amplifiers will be just as good. Downside some manufacturers amplifiers limit what the impedance can drop to.
I.e The amplifier used in stereo mode single chassis may play from 8 ohms and doubles in power as the impedance drops 10 watts 8 ohms. 20 watts 4 ohms. 40 watts 2 ohms. But in bridge mode this may not be the case. It is highly recommended to check the compatibility of your amplifiers and speakers also take into consideration, speaker sensitivity and component thermal heat and circulation. In a nutshell do the research and enjoy.
“Heavy is good, heavy is reliable”
If it does not work, you can... ??? LOL
You're sounded like "Paper Weight"?
if it doesnt work you can always hit him with it
I have tried to convince my GF of the same about my body mass! :-)
Boris The Blade in Snatch
Two points, I'd like to make.
All components with amplification can use "monoblcking" - ie. separate transformers, power supplies, and grounds for each side. Whether that is your CD player, tuner, amp, preamp, or even your auxiliary units like an EQ. If it amplifies, it can benefit from "monoblocking". You CAN have two monoblocks inside the same box. Remember, that case is really just a faraday cage and a convenient way to mount stuff. It's entirely possible to put in a second transformer and keep the grounds separated. Quite frankly, it surprises me that it's not done more often.
And my second point is - while it may make some sense to have two separate transformers, it does not make much sense to have two separate units. Most people will be plugging both into the same circuit, if not the same wall plug. This ties them both together anyway.
Two separate power supplies sharing the same primary winding in a transformer can create a situation where the draw from one might affect the current available to the other. But there's two arguments against that - first, that happening at all means the transformer wasn't big enough for the job. And second, the voltage regulator is supposed to compensate for that. This is why we want those coke can sized capacitors on the other side of the regulator.
One of my pet peeves about stereo equipment is the lack of EM isolation inside the unit. I open up a unit and am faced directly with the power supply, out in the open, in proximity to everything else, and sometimes even with signal wiring routed near it. Yes, it costs a dime or two to put that power supply inside a faraday cage. And yet, it would cost a few more to put processor chips in faraday cages. But the S/N ratio should greatly benefit in most cases. Yet, almost nobody does it.
So does this principle run to pre-amps? Would running two separate pre-amps running to two mono power amps also improve sound?
Ser Loin of Lamm Pre-amps don’t draw that much current as power-amps so the crosstalk problem is almost negligible. Cross-talk is just like the water pipes in your house. When taking a shower you turn on both hot and cold water and you feel comfortable. But when your kid suddenly flushes the toilet, the cold water gets drained and you get too much hot water. With stereo power-amps, when one channel suddenly draws a lot of current the other channel gets weak.
Sorry if this was answered elsewhere in the comments, but what about stereo amps with a bridged mono switch like my Adcom 555 MK2? Would the mono-mode use sound better than just one amp in stereo mode?
What about dual monoblock stereo amps? Plenty of them out there with separate transformers, etc...
I used to own a Cambridge A250 monoblock that had the bridging circuit removed at some point, effectively turned it into a 50+50 dual monoblock stereo amp. The channels shared the same PC board but the psu was split and it had 2 toroidal transformers. That amp was not much to look at but boy it produced the goods, a wolf in sheep's clothing. As an audio repair expert once pointed out to me its not a case of the psu supplying power to the amp. The psu IS the amp and the transistors etc are the 'shutters'.
@@rayhunter7371 nailed it
Ray Hunter hmmm yes true but crosstalk will exist , just because it’s sharing the same box.
@@rayhunter7371 , only one power supply vs 2 really.
fradaja yes sharing the same box is a compromise I agree. But having two distinct power supplies is definitely a step up than a typical single power supply stereo amp eh?
So what about using a bridge stereo amp or using only one channel on a stereo amp? Does it then make it the same as a monoblock? In other words, is the issue just with sharing components or is there something special about monoblocks that isn't present in a stereo amp?
Gerhard Westphalen You beat me to it.
You can make big power in a bridged amp but the distortion and sometimes the dynamics are compromised.
Try to find a friend with a pair of monoblocks. I have been an audiophile for 48 years. I started with proaudio so I have bridged many times. Join a club and have someone bring their ampos over to your house. The most cost effective are the emotiva monoblocks. 500 watts into 8 ohms and 1000 into 4 ohms and they sound close to excellent!.
If you would like to know my method for affording audio gear please private message me.
nicholascremento Yep, a bridged amp will always lose quality for quantity.
Larry Niles I have never heard Emotiva amps, but I have consistently heard that B&K amps are superior (Emotiva are harsh and bright in comparison) and I have plenty of them. I also have the Parasound JC 1 mono blocks that are said to have the bass control of Bryston amps and the JC1s are a whole new level above B&K.
If anybody knows the answer, thank you.
How does this apply in car audio? Usually we think of monoblocks as limited frequency amps used for subwoofers. How about Full range monoblocks for left and right channels in a car?
Hint: Camera is much easier to maneuver over amp to look inside...lol I thought you were going to have coronary....lol I agree with the isolation of your amps and providing much more power and quality sound to your speakers. Especially when you have expensive Electrostatics or high-end towers or bookshelf speakers. For example, I had been using my Denon AVR X-3500H bi-amped to my Klipsch Icon Series W-35's. I then bought two Outlaw mono-blocks and there was a huge difference. I think Outlaw amps are really good and priced competitively. What is your take on Outlaw amps? The two Outlaw mono-blocks were $399.00 each.
What about dual mono?
Same main cord but all inside is in two, transformers, circuit bords and two compartments?
i wanna know this too
True story.
I have a pair of Benchmark AHB2 amps, and the difference between running one and running two, is very significant.
Images are larger. It's a little more resolving. It brings an ease to the system.
In New Zealand a local product is Plinius. I have a tweaked Plinius 8150 (class AB) integrated that sounds pretty good but is no match for my pair of Plinius SA-50 amps (class A/AB stereo) that I run in bridged mode as monoblocks. Paul is correct that when you get up to a certain level of sound quality separating the channels makes a significant difference.
Must take in account that the significant difference was made by by the bridged mode (double the power) & not from monoblocks!
Hey Paul,
Why is the Sprout 100 designed long instead of wide given all the connections in the back?
Also, can PS Audio make Sprout monoblocks and a preamp for those of us who don't have 15K$ at the moment?
Cheers,
Marc in Montreal
A good compromise is a quality Dual Mono design its almost as good as a couple of monoblocs.
My Cambridge CXA80 is that way and I think it's the cheapest dual mono amplifier out there!
Well designed dual mono can be just as good
Google
"Faraday Cage"
"Micro Dynamics"
But mostly it's the addition of big capacity dual power supplies and capacitance
It can but usually not. They get too hot and need permission from the electric utility to plug them into thewall.
@@ilovecops6255
Yeah and digital is also made from 15$ worth of capacitors and chips .
Nobody cares if an amp is efficient,
That's just a sales pitch , efficiency only matters when it's in a 12v car , not plugged into the wall ....
If your amps digital and under 5 grand its Inferior to AB and tube .
Tired of this opinion, nothing personal
Paul, would you comment on stereo amps that can be switched to act as mono amps? Does it still suffer from the same drawbacks as a conventional stereo amp would over a dedicated mono design?
what about dual mono designs like, for example the primaluna? Could not they do it as well? the only shared component is the power cord, but it just means the two meet at the power cord rather than 30cm later at the socket
does this apply to 2 identical stereo amps but just using the left output only on one amp for one speaker, and the right output only on the other amp for another speaker ? so one amp per speaker
Yes...yes..yes.... Paul....old school all the way.... everything you have said is 100% correct...It is the best explanation of monoblock I have ever heard...once you build a stereo with two monoblock amps you never go back to a power amp.... I bought my first B&K power amplifier in 1989 and two years later I traded it in for two monoblocks.. there are so many really great deals on monoblock amplifiers... expecially older ones... you also forgot to mention with a very good crossover unit, the high and low frequencies are unmatched to any other system including digital systems....
What if I have a stereo amp with a mono bridge switch ( 2x Bryson 3B ) is it the same as two mono block when bridged ?
For 2 Chanel stereo...Is this class A , B or D ?
I don't really like class D...can I connect mono blocks to my marantz model 40n ? What about using. Rose streaming DAC and connect 2 mono locks...can I do that and is it good
If i have 2 stereo amps and use one amp for the left channel and the other stereo amp for the right, would i get the same quality as 2 monoblock amps?
Hey Mr. McGown;
Do You want a question from Syria
Best Regards.
Damn, now I need monoblocks!
i need mönöblöckeys with digital chain nö analög weiär ^ ^
that be Nice ^^ (hal i surmised wc pc decade b4 yt xD
@@cv507 It's called Ingrish man...google translate...
So if the amplifier has 1 set of rca input red is channel 1 and whiteis channel 2 but has 2 channels. Is it stereo mono? Also the 2 channels can be bridged (speaker output)
Hope this isn't off topic.
Would car audio benefit by going mono block amplification on the front channels ?
Hello ! Which of the two would you choose which is higher quality ROTEL RB 1590 or EMOTIVA XPA DR2. Thanks !
I went for two 2-channel power-amps and bridged them so each of them had just 1 speaker to take care of but now I've changed them back to stereo amplifiers where one power-amp takes care of the midrange/treble to both speakers and one power-amp takes care of the bass to both speakers.
Don't know if it's worse to do like I have it now but something in my brain tells me it's better and nicer now.
Can we make a 2.1 channel amp using mono blocks.. I mean 3 blocks for left , right and bass... At the input end we need to filter our bass from both the channels then feed it to third mono block.. The filtered left and right channel can than go their respective monoblocks..
This entire thing is a question, I am an just getting into these amp things not much knowledge.. hence asking can such a thing be done and if yes..will it make any difference.?????
Would 2 carver tfm 45 amplifiers sound better than just the one @ 2 channels
glad hear this since I'm building active tower speakers with internal triple mono amplifiers in each one of them
how did the speakers turn out? sounds cool.
@@dontpanic1982 turned out really well! They beat the Grimm LS1Be and many other expwnsive speakers according to the owner of my local high end store 😁.
So can you get mono preamps and phono sections to go with your mono power amps?
Hey Paul ..
I was curious...
If I took two identical stereo amps and split the audio between the 2 (left ONLY to one -- and right ONLY to the other) would it somewhat duplicate the same effect?
Or is not using the other channel not make any difference becauae the unit would still assume power for the channel even if it wasnt used???
Yes, if one channel is out of phase with the other than that would work, yes.
Possible comparison with car engine: car with a higher engine volume, and the same number of horsepower (like other one with less volume), can work more easily with the same loads, it can pull more, it can last for longer... in the way, that engine is not faster, or that monoblock is not louder, but it makes everything ... more beautiful.
Not really the point. The point is you isolate the left and right signal paths throughout the amplification process. It's the isolation that makes the difference, not the power.
Certainly it is. It was just an attempt to simplify ''the thing''.
Hi! Same question here. What about dual mono stereo amps, one chassis but with separate power supplies for each channel?
Mind expanding on this?
Just wondering is it the response? Is it cleaner? Is there any point having a mono-channel amp per speaker in a surround sound system? I'm very fascinated with this
i have two AudioSource 310 amps, and a NAD preamp. that can connect to two amps.. but only the left channel of the amp, sound, can i invert the cables to listen the right channel ?? how to wire them to listen stereo ? Please help..
''Are monoblocks better than stereo amplifiers?'' Yes.
Do all solid state amplifiers sound the same if they are working within normal parameters and are adequately suited for driving their speakers ? Also yes.
Lucas Milagre Tavares Ferreira
So the amplifier in a pocket transistor radio from the 1960's should be perfectly adequate.
*For you.*
Well, I do not care for spending money on placebo effect. Especially after over 30 years of blind tests proving unequivocally that "all amps sound the same". So, yeah, I guess I'm not very demanding, relying on actual science and all...
Lucas Milagre Tavares Ferreira
Excellent!
Enjoy your squeaks.
+bare nekid I don't have to believe it. It has been scientifically proven to be true, beyond a shadow of doubt at this point, by years and years of double blind. As long as they are adequate amplifiers I can't hear a difference, you can't hear a difference, no one can.
probably no one will chime in, but what if you want to run 4 speakers? is there a monoblock amp that has speakers A & B???? Thanks!
You could certainly do that with most amps if the speakers were 8Ω, or do you mean an A/B switch? That I have never seen.
can you also take about "dual mono" design?
Great videos Mr McGowan, What do you think of stereo amplifiers that can be bridged to 1 channel, so you can one amplifier for each channel?
Has this comparison been done:
Integrated monoblocks vs separate stereo pre-amp and amp
In other words: audio engineers are not successful in isolating both channels in a stereo amplifier. Channel separation of cartridges is at best 30 db. Any sufficient stereo amp can handle easily 60 db. In that terms, what's the benefit?
can i replicate a mono-block amplifier. if i have 2 stereo amplifiers and bridge 1 amp on the right channel and bridge 1 amp on the left channel. is this accomplishing the same exact thing. what would be the benefits vs 2 mono-blocks vs 2 stereo amps ran i this configuration?
i see this question was kinda answered in video "Turning a stereo amp into a monoblock"
I had used Dynaco Mark III monoblocks for years and at one time had 4 of these amps. The output tubes needed to be changed about every two years and were becoming expensive at $18 each.
I decided to go solid state and purchased a used Marantz model 15. This amp appeared on the front like any other stereo power amp, but was in fact a dual monoblock unit.
The only problem I had is that it did not match up with the AR-3a speakers well and the "overload" light would flicker. These speakers a nominal 4 ohms and actually approach 3 ohms at some frequencies.. I traded for a Marantz 250M which I am still using.
Did I write it already? But, if yes, then once more: I use a Dynavox TPR3 Tube Preamp, and this Preamp is connected to 2 Dynavox ET100 Stereo Poweramps. BUT! I use them as Monoamplifiers.
That's quite easy, I just hooked them up with two Y-Cables, so that both Channels of 1 Stereo Amp are either the right or on the other amp both channels are the left Channel.
Since I use vertical Bi-Amping for my 4way (Refrigerator sized) Loudspeakers, this is the best solution for my needs...
So, the Subwoofer is one channel, and midbass-coupler, midrange, and tweeter are fed by the second channel of the same amp.
And it did cost me an apple and an egg compared to some other monoblock systems lol...
For my ears, the dynamic is great, and the tube Preamp delivers the tube-sound I love...
I love your videos very much Paul. I own two vintage Sony TA-NR1 monoblocks and I'm absolutely in love with them. Mono is the non plus ultra if they are taken to the limit as you've done with yours... it's not worth to make some featherweight monos. Some haters should think about the inconveniences of putting two of these monos you moved in only one chassis...it's that obvious!
These Sonys are a state of an art, sir!
@@krystianluniewicz3881 thank you!
Paul, mono blocks don't share a common ground first (as they use separate chassis, right) and second (mostly but not always) are balanced, i.e. two channel amplifying the plus and minus where ground is not referenced by the signal itself. Balanced operation doubles the voltage swing and the slew rate.
Paul, I was told to achieve the very best...have 2 monoblocks per channel....so one handles mid-highs and other lows ...so 4 monoblocks in total but is this true or snake-Oil ?
I've often found that two stereo amps setup in a vertical biamp configuration can sound better than two standard mono-blocks.
@Richard NZ Agreed. That would be the best. But since I use a stereo amps to drive the woofers and the mid/high range ribbon planar magnetic drivers separately on a pair of Eminent Technology LFT8 loudspeakers, the amp channel driving the more reactive woofer is isolated from the nearly purely resistive load that the other channel sees from the planar mid/high drivers. An active crossover would very likely still be best, but this method, with these kinds of speakers, almost achieves a similar (and much cheaper) improvement effect due to the easy load of the planar magnetic drivers being driven by their own channel. Had I been driving a more traditional dynamic three-way loudspeaker, then there's no question that an electronic crossover would be far superior.
Boulder Amp's 2110 preamp has seperate housings for each channel, both controlled by another block. Pretty impressive.
Very informative and thanks for the Always precious advice. A nice thing with monoblocks is that they can be placed close to the speakers and long XLRs cables can be used for line level signals as well. I read somewhere that is better to keep speakers cables as short as possible. I did not understand clearly why. But that is what i read. And that balanced connections can run for several meters without particular loss in signal quality. Kind regards, gino
@P T Hi thanks for the kind and valuable advice. I have a very tricky situation at home with cables My feeling is that using XLRs from source to preamp and from the pre to the power amp lowers the overall noise
And given that noise is not music the lower the noise the better the music
Unfortunately i cannot find a low power stereo power amp with xlr input
I do not need many watts at all
Kind regards gino
And they have that wonderful symmetric look which should not be dismissed.
Thanks for the video Paul. Basically a pair of mono blocks are more advantageous than a stereo power amp. However, the extra cost is enormous and therefore carefully consider whether you should actually buy monoblocks. If money and space are not a problem, clearly buy mono blocks. But, monoblock is not equal to monoblock. There are stereo power amplifiers from a manufacturer X, which are better than monoblocks of manufacturer Y. Many greetings from Germany
Could you maybe make a big box and put two small mono blocks and a preamp in the big box? And you would have an integrated amp that sounds better? Maybe class D for a more compact unit.
A monoblock that you can bi-wire? Paul can you do a video on the advantages of bi-wiring? I'd love to hear your expert opinion! Thanks
Quite a few mono amps have dual binding posts that allow owners to decide if they want to run independent wire runs to the HF and LF posts on their speakers. Now, I'm not going to weigh in on "bi-wiring" . That's an audio topic similar to Religion, It's just best to let people believe in whatever it is they want. So long as it's not harming anyone and it gives the individual some joy, then bi-wire or don't bi-wire to your heart's content. :)
It's indeed talking in absolute terms / generalize as you express because there are dual mono amplifiers also sharing only the AC cable or even with two AC connections. I've had several of them like the Levinson ML-3 and Krell KSA-100. Biggest disadvantage is then that those dual monaural amps tend to be very heavy with two transformers and a bunch of those big filtercaps.
When J. Gordon Holt the former and now late chief editor of Stereophile reviewed the Conrad Johnson Premier One an 200 Watts stereo tube-amp (not dual mono though), he complained about its 135 lbs weight, even more than he weighted himself, and he had to call in his publisher to get this herculean amp out of its crate or the review couldn't haven taken place at all due to this situation.. He argued that Conrad Johnson should have made two mono's instead, so the tossing around with it could be done without the risk of an hernia. I have the 'b' version of the Premier One and yes it's a pain in the ... back actually to get it anywhere on your own and I could not lift it out of its crate either without assistance (When alone, trick is to open the top of the crate, lay a cushion or other thick soft item beside it. Turn the crate (or box with any insane American heavy amp) 180 degrees carefully, pull the crate or box up and then turn the amp back on its feet.
It was a good point that Gordon Holt made and yes Conrad Johnson made a more manageable mono the Premier Five, but most high wattage Class A/AB amps even in a monaural fashion tend to be heavy also like the big Krells or Rowlands.
4 small caps vs 2 big caps ? which is going to be better ?
Hi, I watch your instructive videos with interest.
I like composing music with Sibelius music software and virtual orchestras. Once I finish a composition I export the file as a stereo wav. file that can be reproduced on any stereo equipment.
The original Sibelius Software file can have as many separate tracks as one wants, usually one for each instrument.
I can export to a wav file with 4 completely separate tracks.
I would like to reproduce this 4 track file with reasonably hi fidelity using an amplifier that is really 4 amps in one, or two stereo amps, or 4 mono amps. Not surround but 4 in 4 out, so that I can hear each track completely separately from each of 4 speakers.
Please advice what equipment I would need and how to hook it up. Low to medium budget. Do it yourself possible.
Some companies makes dual mono amplifiers with separation that is comparable to that of having two mono blocks.
However are 2 mono blocks better then 1 Stereo Amp at the same total price?
No. Double chassis etc costs more so better to have stereo gear at the same price.
I really really love your videos and the way you explain things! Thank you sooooo much!
Most people would be just fine with a quality stereo receiver. Enjoy the MUSIC!
yes. _most_ . BHK monos arent for _most_ .
Only in the audiophile world do you get half (mono) and have to pay more then a whole.
I get there is more cabinet expense and such but in the real world when you buy more then one it usually come with a discount the more you buy.
Aren't they technically 4x as expensive since they each cost double the price of a stereo unit and you need two of them? :P
He might be talking about PS audio stereo amps versus PS audio monoblock switch tend to be twice price of stereo
i feed my system from two different poles and transformers one side of the street for left and one for right. sub i use the underground lines GET ON MY LEVEL
Funny!
@snibeti snab-xD I use for my left channel power source from europe, and for right channel power from north america. For sub I have a separate oil rig in the midle of North Sea. So good isolation. And beautiful stereo separation! I got past your level
That's sounds absurdly ridiculous lol
I have been using lately isolated 100% solar energy with a 90deg polarization for left and right solar panels. The reason I 'went solar' is for complete linearity and zero noise (your neighbor's circular saws (any induction motor that sends impulses on each startup) do introduce unwanted frequencies into the power grid; you only want pure 60Hz @110V). Needless to say, that reduced drastically the amps' distortion, but most importantly it keeps the digital clocks in all the DACs, NSDs, NATs and parametric filters synchronized -theoretically for 120k years.
For complete channel separation, I'm now using polarized filters so that the photons hitting the left and right solar panels are separated by a 90deg phase, meaning the energy sources do not/can't interact with each-other... That eliminates any cross-talk between the power sources down to quantum-mechanic levels. Needless to say, the stereo imaging is purely hypnotic, it equals the mixing/mastering headphones when it comes to aural presentations.
* the tubes don't seem to like the linearity of solar as they sound very precise and lack any sound alteration . It basically turns them into integrated amps with no 'sound effects' -present all the time... where's the fun in that? I am planning on giving an old diesel generator a try for the analog/tube system and if it doesn't work I'll just use a power grid source... I am open to suggestions, as always, wish you all all the best.
I got two separate arrays of solar panels feeding two battery packs that feed each amp.
I heard every reason he could think of, why Mono block amplifiers are better other than it saves the company money on electronic component costs and it helps them sale more expensive product to the consumer. As a company would I want to sell you 1 item for $1000 that fulfills all your needs or do I want to sell you 2 at $1000 each???
The Great Mono Block sound he was talking about was the sound of the cash registers ringing multiple sells. LOL
I'm not mad at you keep hustling.
R u suggesting if I powered one monoblock from chicago and another from detroit, it will sound still better?????
generally, if a company makes both a stereo amp... & mono blocks.
the monos _should_ sound better.
even if its from Detroit.
I built 3 amplifiers as a DIYer and engineer; one with a single transformer powering two separate monoblock boards, second with 2 transformers with each powering a monoblock board, and the third with a single transformer powering a stereo board. These were all using the same lm3886. All that "crosstalk, isolation" talk is undetectable to human ears.
Oh, and you think having two power cords makes it so you're not sharing power? Think again. It is absolutely no different than having one power cord (sufficient enough to provide required current) running two transformers in the same box. Your outlets, likely all of them in the same room, are all wired in parallel; the exact same as one power cord wired to power two transformers.
Hi Paul,
One thing that confused me in this video is: if the monoblocks are twice as expensive couldn't one used that money to buy a better stereo that, giving the price difference, to sound better than the monoblocks due to higher quality components. If that's the case the conclusion that the monoblocks (in terms of value) are actually worse?
On this logic thread, isn't actually about return in comparing higher quality components with less case costs plus lack of separation in the stereo version vs oposits in monoblocks?
Regards.
Monoblocks are discreet. Many stereo amps are not. Using bridge mode on any amp is always a bad idea due to the variances in each side's construction and operation.
Now you tell us !
Lol Thanks Paul for doing these wonderfully informative videos and uploading them for us to see and hear !
Isn't a good stereo amp just two monoblocks. sharing a power supply, and if so, does it make that big a difference if the power supply is built correctly? Is the stereo separation that much greater with mono blocks? Thx Paul!
Hey Aaron. Malta must be a great place to live now, but during WWII, not so much. Are there many sign of the war still present there? I hope Malta has recovered well from those times!
They are also sharing a transformer like Paul said.
I am an electrical technician. I view this a little differently from you. I have a 130 watt times 9, high end THX theater amp (9 X130 = 1170 watts). The input power is rated at only 110 VAC @ 650 watts. Do the math, running at 90% efficiency (which is a little high), that's 64.8 watts of power that is available for each channel. When driving only my vintage speakers, my theater amp does great. It did this because when using only those two channels, it draws only 260 watts from a 650 watt power supply. Kick in the other 7 speakers, then its easy to see why that really nice amp comes up way short when also driving the 350 watt vintage speakers *** I also had an older 4 channel 135 per channel Sony amp. Using only two channels made a significant improvement in the punch the bass had. *** I also had a Sansui pure DC stereo amp @ 120 watts per channel that had a 250 watt power supply. That amp could kick the crap out of those same vintage speakers. But that amp was the same age, and it was designed to justly drive those big speakers. In every case, the power supply having more than enough power to do its job, was what made the big difference. That all being said leaves us to one last truth: your best components bring a lot more light into pointing out the weaker ones.
Could two stereo amps, using one channel from each, be used as monoblocks with the same results as two actual monoblock amps?
He's probably referring to the way PS audio makes monoblock amps are about twice the price of their stereo amps
Yes , basically
The most efficient way to do this would be to use one amp filtered by an active crossover for low frequency
The other amp for the high frequency
The reason is like ripples in a pond
Small finite details would be unaffected by the drain and magnetic violence happening in the low frequency amp
Think ripples in a pond -
I have a Luxman L10, which is a monoblock amp and it sounds fantastic.
If you have two toroid power supplies in an integrated amplifier that will power the left and right channels separately, it is much better than one power supply for the left and right channels.
That is exactly how I built my NAP250
The term for that is duel mono I think.
I think it can get pretty cold in Malta in the winter too, Paul 😊
I can not agree more with Paul.. trust your ears.. great post Paul..
Plus monos just look cooler as well as the Separate stands and can be placed closer to each speaker and use a shorter wire most importantly
Thanks for that very relatable and understandable breakdown.
my good man...you forgot to point out the best part of monoblocks....
no intermodulate distortion between channels past your head unit setup. that makes for very stable imaging and tonal balance especially on well executed two channel live recordings. matching the amps though....that becomes critical and is a bit of a pain to do unless the amps are adjustable se class "a" tube units. :-)
my setup goal on installations is to get as close as .01% gain level balance across the bandpass spectrum as possible. that is not always achievable though and i have had to return amps before because they could not be brought within that spec. bias would float too far between them(power supply/regulation instability) some carvers were bad for that once they got a little age on them as well and as of late, a few macintosh units but that doesn't reference new amps.
short your input and hook up a meter with your usual load to the speaker terminals and watch the show. an analogue meter of decent quality is the most entertaining. a digital meter is just watching the numbers jump. then trace record a sweep and fft that puppy and see the differences. a little difference goes a long way because:tonal balance and placement within the imaging field. in this game....it's all about being anal retentive for the sake of performance....like so many other hobbies close to the heart.
I'm happy with my set up never will be able to get mono blocks but spent £8000 on my set up and it's the best I've ever heard or will so I'm in heaven anytime I watch a movie in 7.2 or music in 2 channel is bliss for me and have had my set up since end of 2012 and love it as much as the first time I heard it lol but after break in lol even more.
Ah Paul du bist einfach der BESTE.
But Paul, you beg the question...are monoblocks ceteris parabis (ie same manufacturer and topology)TWICE as good as stereo, ESP if one has generous transformer and well designed power supply ? in almost all cases certainly not , and for power supply esp will not be really streets vast majority fo listening time unless you are driving an inefficient speaker at loud levels with an undersized Estero amp.
Thanks, i'm totally agree. Best regards from Verona itay
Oh-hello,
I have been using lately isolated 100% solar energy with a 90deg polarization for left and right solar panels. The reason I 'went solar' is for complete linearity and zero noise (your neighbor's circular saws (any induction motor that sends impulses on each startup) do introduce unwanted frequencies into the power grid; you only want pure 60Hz @110V). Needless to say, that reduced drastically the amps' distortion, but most importantly it keeps the digital clocks in all the DACs, NSDs, NATs and parametric filters synchronized -theoretically for 120k years.
For complete channel separation, I'm now using polarized filters so that the photons hitting the left and right solar panels are separated by a 90deg phase, meaning the energy sources do not/can't interact with each-other... That eliminates any cross-talk between the power sources down to quantum-mechanic levels. Needless to say, the stereo imaging is purely hypnotic, it equals the mixing/mastering headphones when it comes to aural presentations.
* the tubes don't seem to like the linearity of solar as they sound very precise and lack any sound alteration . It basically turns them into integrated amps with no 'sound effects' -present all the time... where's the fun in that? I am planning on giving an old diesel generator a try for the analog/tube system and if it doesn't work I'll just use a power grid source... I am open to suggestions, as always, wish you all all the best.
I suggest you have gone off the deep end...son. But whatever blows your hair back..probably your speakers blow your hair back!
@@yarsivad000.5 it has to be air movement, the source can be this or that... ;]
So By his logic, two 2150 monoblocks sound way better than a 3060?
Then why audiophile-grade amp makers have a stereoblock too for their reference series?
What about a stereo amplifier that puts out 500 watts bridged to one subwoofer verses a 500 watt mono block connected to one subwoofer
Totally sounds like David Letterman!
Great video BTW.
Thank-you
By better, do you mean more dynamic? The benefits of monoblocks are by nature, the dedicated power supplies and separation of signals (i.e., no signal interference or cross-talk). But I imagine a competently designed stereo / multi-channel amplifier should sound very similar if not identical to a similarly designed monoblock at low to moderate volumes. The benefit of monoblocks (i.e., independent power supplies, signal separation) should really become more apparent / noticeable (if at all) at higher volumes...like you said, this is not meant to be an "absolute" but more of an expected outcome. But at higher volumes monoblocks should at least theoretically maintain better stereo separation and greater dynamic range. There are other factors of course...source quality, rated power output, speaker efficiencies, type of cables used, etc., that could further increase or even nullify the benefits of monoblocks over stereo / multi-channel amps. One more question - in your video response, were you assuming identically powered amplifiers (i.e., (1) 200w stereo amp vs. (2) 100w monoblocks)? What would need to change to make a stereo amp equal to (or better than) a monoblock? Really appreciate / enjoy these videos, many thanks!
I will never again own an amplifier I can't lift.
Time to man up then, do you even lift bro?
Start going to the gym
John LeBeau I’m with you, at 61 don’t need that stuff.
Me too!
That's why I bought the Stellar m700 monos!
The important thing is that both monoblocks are voiced as exactly to one another as possible.
I understand why Mono blocks would be better (more money spent on a single signal ) but why twice the price though? Is the build quality basically twice as good?
twice as many components. because things are shared in a stereo amp.
I wonder what Billy Woodman would say.. Active speakers every time..