Is there any obvious advantage for monoblocks?

Elgordo, the Parasound HCA-3500 which you mention is now available in a nicely improved monoblock version called the Halo JC-1. While the JC-1 is largely an HCA-3500 split in two, it also has twice the power supply, nearly twice the heat sink area, a couple more output devices, and a tightly optimized circuit layout. Additionally, parts are selected for the greatest sonic performance rather than being based upon cost. The results speak for themselves. (Disclaimer: I'm a dealer, so sprinkle my comments liberally with salt - but go listen for yourself to a broken-in pair.)

Brian Walsh

seperate power supplies ( this is a big one)
better dynaimics and imaging (another big one)
channel seperation ( big one )

i like my pse studio v monoblocs i just picked up another pair for my bi-wired alons. that a total of 4 monoblocs.

that will give me 220rms per channel of very, very clean power.

hope that helps !!

mike

in reality alot depends on the design and efficency of your speakers.

i have heard alot of stereo amps that sound great and alot of crappy sounding monoblocs.

the advantage to a great sounding monobloc to a great sounding stereo amp is the monblocks will sound a little better because of the above ( all things being equal).

hope that helps!!

mike

alot depends on the amp design and the efficency of your speakers.