understanding monoblocks

leftwinger57
leftwinger57 Posts: 2,917
edited August 2010 in 2 Channel Audio
Hello,I once again have questions about systems that I really do not grasp.
I'am talking about monoblock amps as opposed to a usuall 2channel highwatters. It seems that price would be so prohibitive that only the
cash flushed would do such a thing. So what exactly is the benifit and
how is the music so altered that it a popular theme to do these days.
Again much pleasure from the Adcom555 , but always had fantasys of being a MAC owner. Just one other observation, most systems I've seen on the forum are so impressive how do you dudes afford such intense equipment.
No need to repeat my modest gear but I have no connctors at all and spkr
wire is common 16 gauge clear. After reading Roger Russels' take on wire
he basically said lamp cord would do except when you get to longer runs
and is against paying for a name only.
2chl- Adcom GFA- 555-Onkyo P-3150v pre/amp- JVC-QL-A200 tt- Denon 1940 ci cdp- Adcom GFS-6 -Modded '87 SDA 2Bs - Dynamat Ext.- BH-5- X-Overs VR-3, RDO-194 tweeters, Larry's Rings, Speakon/Neutrik I/C- Cherry stain tops Advent Maestros,Ohm model E

H/T- Toshiba au40" flat- Yamaha RX- V665 avr- YSD-11 Dock- I-Pod- Klipsch #400HD Speaker set-

Bdrm- Nikko 6065 receiver- JBL -G-200s--Pioneer 305 headphones--Sony CE375-5 disc
Post edited by leftwinger57 on
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Comments

  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,805
    edited August 2010
    The only "real" advantage to mono power amps vs. stereo is completely separate power supplies.
    Mono power amps for stereo use date back to the origins of consumer stereo (e.g., the McIntosh MC-60 or MC-75 amplifiers; one of each for mono, upgrade to two for stereo). There is nothing new under the sun. The term "monoblock" is a neologism of sorts - it means "monaural power amplifier", but one may charge more for it if one calls it a monoblock :-)

    Yes, one can locate each mono amp close to each speaker. Having a short speaker cable run, though, may necessitate a long "interconnect" (patch cord) run from the preamp to each power amp. It is probably easier to do harm to the line-level signal 'twixe preamp and power amp than it is to the robust, amplified signal between the low impedance power amp output and the loudspeaker load.
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  • cstmar01
    cstmar01 Posts: 4,424
    edited August 2010
    when doing a mono block it gives each amp isolation from the other channel which is normally better. It would have its own power supply and keeps the channels from interfering with each other. It allows the amp to use the full power of the power supply for that speaker and will give the best results (usually).

    Down side is they are more expensive due to the fact you have double the metal, double the product, packaging ect. Are they worth it is up to the person buying.

    The hobby can be expensive, ususally people save up for months, years to buy a item ect. All is relative to your life style ect. Such as is there any way I can afford a brand new BMW top of the line, no but how do some people pay for them? same goes for audio.
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  • vc69
    vc69 Posts: 2,500
    edited August 2010
    When my rig grows up... it will probably have mono's.


    /.02
    -Kevin
    HT: Philips 52PFL7432D 52" LCD 1080p / Onkyo TX-SR 606 / Oppo BDP-83 SE / Comcast cable. (all HDMI)B&W 801 - Front, Polk CS350 LS - Center, Polk LS90 - Rear
    2 Channel:
    Oppo BDP-83 SE
    Squeezebox Touch
    Muscial Fidelity M1 DAC
    VTL 2.5
    McIntosh 2205 (refurbed)
    B&W 801's
    Transparent IC's
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  • leftwinger57
    leftwinger57 Posts: 2,917
    edited August 2010
    again astounded at the response. now I must agree w/ all of you . Seems even seperateing amps they still need to be bridged some how . This one I'm totally forgetting about.
    2chl- Adcom GFA- 555-Onkyo P-3150v pre/amp- JVC-QL-A200 tt- Denon 1940 ci cdp- Adcom GFS-6 -Modded '87 SDA 2Bs - Dynamat Ext.- BH-5- X-Overs VR-3, RDO-194 tweeters, Larry's Rings, Speakon/Neutrik I/C- Cherry stain tops Advent Maestros,Ohm model E

    H/T- Toshiba au40" flat- Yamaha RX- V665 avr- YSD-11 Dock- I-Pod- Klipsch #400HD Speaker set-

    Bdrm- Nikko 6065 receiver- JBL -G-200s--Pioneer 305 headphones--Sony CE375-5 disc
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  • leftwinger57
    leftwinger57 Posts: 2,917
    edited August 2010
    after seeing ZUUL'S PIX iI was lol at gear some people amass. Clearly it looks likesa whole line up of 901s in background. Truely 1 of my 2 favorite skeakers of all time .The
    others would be ESS HEIL W/ the tranducers on top , they sounded great .LISTEN I'm
    57 and remeber AR3as, Rectilinear 3s, and KLH5s.The most coveteted sets of speakers of my youth.
    2chl- Adcom GFA- 555-Onkyo P-3150v pre/amp- JVC-QL-A200 tt- Denon 1940 ci cdp- Adcom GFS-6 -Modded '87 SDA 2Bs - Dynamat Ext.- BH-5- X-Overs VR-3, RDO-194 tweeters, Larry's Rings, Speakon/Neutrik I/C- Cherry stain tops Advent Maestros,Ohm model E

    H/T- Toshiba au40" flat- Yamaha RX- V665 avr- YSD-11 Dock- I-Pod- Klipsch #400HD Speaker set-

    Bdrm- Nikko 6065 receiver- JBL -G-200s--Pioneer 305 headphones--Sony CE375-5 disc
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  • zingo
    zingo Posts: 11,258
    edited August 2010
    I think I may upgrade to a pair of Shuguang Treasure 845 monoblocks with matching (and remoted) tube preamp from my current 845 integrated amplifier. Of the reasons that is sending me over the edge with the monoblock switch is that my current amp weighs 80lbs. The monos are only 55lbs each and physically smaller, plus the preamp is third 18lbs unit so they are easier to move and handle. Plus as stated above, each amp gets its own power supply, and Shuguang can actually squeeze 28wpc out of the 845 tube over the integrated design of 18-22wpc. They are quiet a bit more expensive, but I feel it's a good next step in my audio journey with my horns, and I'm already a big fan of the Shuguang Treasure tubes. :D

    S845MK.jpg

    200MK.jpg
    leftwinger57 wrote: »
    Seems even seperateing amps they still need to be bridged some how . This one I'm totally forgetting about.

    No need to bridge as seen below. Monoblocks are literally a one channel amp with no other connections.

    1.jpg
    Jake
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  • cstmar01
    cstmar01 Posts: 4,424
    edited August 2010
    zuul wrote: »
    left: those aren't 901's. those are power amps. i'll have to dig around and see if i can find some other pix of them. i can't remember details except they are japanese and like $10,000 a pop... lol.

    also re: bridging... that's something that's done when you have a stereo amp that can be "bridged" for mono output. most amps of this type have a physical switch that lets you decide if you want to run the amp as a mono amp or stereo amp. true "monoblocks" are just that. true mono amplifiers with one input and 1 set of speaker outputs. the more technical minded might desire a more comprehensive explanation but that's what i got. ;)

    sums it up very well. Mono is truely made for one channel. Even though you might see a dual set on the back of binding post, its still only 1 channel. So if you really wanted to be hardcore you could do a 7.1 system with an amp for each channel so 7 mono block amps for the speakers and a powered sub. everything woudl have its own power supply and be great. Is that needed no, but for 2 channel IMO monos are awesome, however will be a bit more expensive but can be worth it.
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited August 2010
    I got a big pair, everyone loves them.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • Hawkeye
    Hawkeye Posts: 1,313
    edited August 2010
    I thought moving to mono's took my satisfaction to a new level. The seperation, depth and width is truly impressive to me. On dynamic music, each channel is humming along nicely, not caring or having to share with the other channel if a huge peak comes along.

    Don't have a lot of need for Rodger Russel in certain areas:rolleyes:

    Gordon
    2 Channel -
    Martin Logan Spire, 2 JL Audio F112 subs
    McIntosh C1000 Controller with Tube pre amp, 2 MC501 amplifiers, MD1K Transport & DAC, MR-88 Tuner
    WireWorld Eclipse 6.0 speaker wire and jumpers, Eclipse 5^2 Squared Balanced IC's. Silver Eclipse PCs (5)
    Symposium Rollerblocks 2+ (16)Black Diamond Racing Mk 3 pits (8)
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  • megasat16
    megasat16 Posts: 3,521
    edited August 2010
    zuul wrote: »
    left: those aren't 901's. those are power amps. i'll have to dig around and see if i can find some other pix of them. i can't remember details except they are japanese and like $10,000 a pop... lol.

    Those are NIRO Control Engine (preamp) and Power Engine (amp) with about 2.3M Yen for each. Hardly ever seen one here in the WEST!
    Trying out Different Audio Cables is a Religious Affair. You don't discuss it with anyone. :redface::biggrin:
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  • decal
    decal Posts: 3,205
    edited August 2010
    I had mono when I was in highschool !!!
    If you can't hear a difference, don't waste your money.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited August 2010
    Looks like a lantern and ultracentrifuge had an affair.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,566
    edited August 2010
    After reading Roger Russels' take on wire
    he basically said lamp cord would do except when you get to longer runs
    and is against paying for a name only.

    Besides being dead wrong, he is also a hypocrite.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."

    President of Club Polk

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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited August 2010
    Maybe the leftwinger is just stirring the pot, maybe not, but if he really wanted to know about cables,plenty of threads here he could search out instead of making blanket statements.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited August 2010
    F1nut wrote: »
    Besides being dead wrong, he is also a hypocrite.

    Agreed, you'll just have to try it and make up your own mind...

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited August 2010
    madmax wrote: »
    I got a big pair, everyone loves them.
    madmax

    oh you nasty boy......

    RT1
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  • cstmar01
    cstmar01 Posts: 4,424
    edited August 2010
    F1nut wrote: »
    Besides being dead wrong, he is also a hypocrite.

    second on that one. Best thing to do in this hobby is try it for yourself and see if it makes a difference to you. Regardless of what you read its YOU that it matters to.
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