2. amps-preamps
  3. 993318197

Monoblocks or upgrade to larger amp?

I have a Plinius SA 100 Mk.III amp with a Audio Research REF 1 pre-amp, Meridian 508.28 CDP, Dynaudio Contour 3.3 speakers using NBS Monitor I ic's and Monitor III speaker cables. I love the sound on this system. However, I'm considering upgrading the amp to either the Plinius SA 250 Mk IV, or get another SA 100 MK.III and use both amps as monoblocks. What do you all think would be the better way (sonically) to go? And why? From what I understand using monoblocks provides a "cleaner" stereo separation and better soundstage. However, will upgrading to a more powerful amp provide greater detail?
rosstaman
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sean
6,231 posts
 
Going from 100 wpc to 250 wpc would be an appr. increase in power by 3.75 db's. In theory, this may not seem like much. In reality with power hungry speakers, it can make a WORLD of a difference.

When i changed amps in one system using "power hungry speakers", i went up 1 db and it made a very noticeable difference. While most would say that 900 wpc would be enough for ANY speaker, i was still able to drive the amps into compression. Replacing the biamped pair with one amp rated for 1200 wpc made a world of difference in terms of "never running out of steam" and the increase in "ease of reproduction" and "liquidity".

Keep in mind that a low sensitivity reading at 1 watt does not necessarily make for a "power hungry speaker". Even though some speakers are not real efficient at low levels, they can play quite loudly with just a bit more power into them. Other speakers may take a boatload of wattage to play at that same level. My findings and experience are that the more complex the crossover is, the more power it will take to "rock the house". Much of the power that the amp is generating is "eaten up" by heat in notch filters, impedance compensation networks, etc...

As such, the Dynaudio speakers use very complex crossovers with a lot of parts in them. Much like the speakers i'm using in my HT system, they will "drink an amp dry" if you give them the chance to. Sean
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redkiwi
1,092 posts
 
I would have a bit more respect for the opinions of the dB freaks if you had actually heard a SA100 and SA250 in a few systems. I don't give a toss which one has the more power, the SA250 is a significantly better power amplifier.
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redkiwi
1,092 posts
 
Viridian, you wrote "The difference in power is very negligable, any of you slide rule types out there want to calculate the power difference in db for us?" Somehow I cannot find the point you claim to have made about sound quality being the deciding factor - do I have to try reading it backwards, or have familiarity with the Koran? Or is your point on some other post somewhere and I missed it?

You also wrote "Maybe Redkiwi should actually try to read the posts before responding." Maybe Viridian should actually try to post the point he is claiming to make before claiming others are not reading it.
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