which is better? Stereo Amp or Monoblocks?

If I was an amp designer I would only consider integrated and mono block separates. Why be somewhere in the middle? Same approach as audiophile - couple of more integrated upgrades and monos after that, funds permitting. The only exception that I would make would be for Gryphon if I wanted it because even used and quite old they are too expensive.

@gndrbob Quad ESL!

Also like to add that monoblocks are way better sound quality than having two stereo amps that are bridge to mono.

Mike,

I notice you use Marantz MA500 amps. I have them. Very nice but not quite an assault on the best of the best (stereo, mono, or bridged) to qualify making such a broad statement.

Glad you are happy with them though and can see why. Really. :)

Dave

@blindjim 

Topology isn’t always the big deal with some amps, say tube amps for example. There are tube monos running sE only. Very nice ones.

There is a very good argument which paralelles this thread…. Fully differentially balanced or single ended designs, which is best?

Cost no object (C.N.O.) builds of either SE or XLR amps should have the balanced amps doubling the costs of the SE amps provided both amps were made . of identical parts as the XLR amps use effectively a twin SE arrangement or twice the parts list essentially..

I can point to a number of issues that belie this comment:

Topology is actually a huge deal with many amps, especially tube amps. I've been trying to see how I might have misinterpreted your comment but I don't see how.

A cost no object (or even on a budget) balanced amp does not cost twice that of single-ended circuitry nor does it have twice the parts- that is a very common myth! I don't have to look very far to prove that out- most of our amps cost **less** than single-ended amps despite having greater power and performance (and yes they are full balanced and differential). Part of the reason for that is we don't have to pay for an output transformer, but even if we did, output transformers for push-pull amps are easier to build and thus less expensive.

So you can see that topology is huge.