It’s the time of year for saving money!
Yesterday I was looking through the posts on one of the audiophile websites, when I noticed one that caught my attention. It was from someone who was looking for recommendations for a three-channel amplifier. My first thought was to suggest the most excellent Pass X-150.3 three-channel amplifier that I’ve used with my Dunlavy SC VI speakers for the past ten years, but then I thought to myself, “Why not monoblock power amplifiers?”
I’m a big fan of monoblocks for several reasons. First there’s ergonomics. Mono power amps have only one channel of amplification inside so they’re usually lighter, smaller, and easier to carry than multichannel amps. Don’t get me wrong, I love a power amplifier with a big, hefty, well-made transformers, but I’m not crazy about carrying around one with multiplicity of heavy-duty transformers. I prefer to do my heavy lifting at the gym…
I also prefer the ease of setting up mono amps to three-or-more channel amps. I can put the power amplifier for each speaker near each speaker and use short speaker cables. And if one amplifier does decide to let the smoke out (stop working), I’m only down one channel, not two, three, four or five.
Storage is easier with monoblock amps as well. I can keep them on higher shelves, because they weigh less and are easier to lift and carry. Need another channel? Just grab one from the shelf…
I currently own and use monoblock amplifiers from three firms. I have five Bryston Powerpac 120 monoblocks that I’ve been used over the last ten years for front, side, rear, subwoofers, and even as PA amps. I also own three Bel Canto M-300 monoblock amps that have also seen use in every possible situation (including as headphone amps for Stax earspeakers). Finally I have a pair of April Music S1 amps which can be used either as stereo or bridged mono. They’ve spent most of their time in my desktop rig, but I’m thinking of adding a third amp so they can handle front three-channel duties as well.
Is there any disadvantage to monoblock power amplifiers? The only two I can think of are the additional AC cords and connections required over a multi-channel unit. There have been times when coming up with enough high-quality AC cables and routing all that AC cabling properly was far more of a challenge than the multi-channel amplifier that had been in place. And if all your monoblock amplifiers run in Class A mode they could pull more power from your AC mains than a single multi-channel unit, but I consider these two nits small in comparison to the advantages gained by using monophonic rather than multi-channel power amplifiers.
In the 2-channel world even the hearing challenged can hear the difference a true dual-mono channel system can make. Mono and dual-mono was the rage in the ’80s because the sound difference was obvious. Today’s audiophiles have somehow forgotten this,
The problem with mono POWER amps is you have to have a preamp for each of them and this becomes a hassle in cases where you don’t have a single multi-channel preamp. Best would be an integrated pre-power single channel amp.
Hello Roman,
We call that an “integrated amplifier” here in the USA. The problem with integrated amps is simple – where do you put them? Wherever you decide to place them you will have some long runs of cable. I like integrated amps in desktop systems, but I prefer separates elsewhere.
I don’t understand, why do you need two preamps. I have my Wyred4Sound SX1000 Mono Bloc’s connected to a W4S STP-PreAMP – SE and it works fine for me.
redpigeons…Suggest you sign up for an Audio 101 class. All preamps are 2 channel…you connect the right output to one mono amp and the left output to the other mono amp. Stupidity on the internet never fails to amaze me.
I see no point in having mono power amp unless preamp is also mono if we follow the idea of channel separation to its logical end. If you find the idea silly then why separate at all? Afik, there is no convincing evidence it makes any difference to the listener. Yes, stupidity never fails to amaze me either.
I suggest you check out the new Parasound A31 3 x 250watt amp just got a rave in sept stereophile
I already have and use an A23 two-channel amp in my desktop system. I think I’ll wait on a mini JC-1…:)
Cost would be another disadvantage, chassis and power supply. For 2C there seems to be a good selection of mono-blocks, but I’d like to see some 1U Class D mono amps geared toward HT, maybe 250W or so. Just stack as many as you need – 5,7,9, whatever.
You should look at the d-sonic.net class d amplifiers. very powerful, clear sound, and cool running.