2. amps-preamps
  3. 193497-184484

Talk me out of buying Monoblocks and into a stereo amp instead

I am planning on buying a McIntosh system. It is a system I have been wanting a very long time. No need to suggest any other brand... I am set on this one.

I am going to get the CP 12000 preamp for sure. However, I can’t decide between a pair of MC611’s monoblocks or the MC-462 stereo amp. It seems like for $6k, the mono blocks are not much more in price and I get a lot more audio for the extra $6k.

Talk me out of buying the monoblocks! Tell me your experience if you had both? Do you like stereo amps better after owning monoblocks? Tell me why.

dman777
avanti1960
1,617 posts
 

Again, some context here.  

If you have 90db sensitivity speakers in a medium sized room, a robust 200 WPC stereo amp is more than enough.  

If you have 84db 2 ohm min load large tower speakers in an extra large room, mono blocks are a practical way to get more power.  

dman777 OP
102 posts
 

@jeffreyw In your transition to the new Solution system, have you sold your monoblocks yet? I was curious how difficult or easy it is for you to sell them?

immatthewj
3,300 posts
 

Again, some context here.  

If you have 90db sensitivity speakers in a medium sized room, a robust 200 WPC stereo amp is more than enough.  

If you have 84db 2 ohm min load large tower speakers in an extra large room, mono blocks are a practical way to get more power.  

I am pretty sure that there are high powered stereo amps out there, as well as low powered monoblocks.  

jeffreyw's avatar
jeffreyw
305 posts
 

@dman777 

Have not tried to sell yet. Still working things out. 

ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,450 posts
 

All things being equal, mono blocks should have an advantage. But it’s more about the quality of the amp(s). A better designed and built stereo amp will outperform mono amps of the same output. And it’s rare that you could compare mono and stereo amps of the same power rating from the same manufacturer.

More to discover