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mono or stereo? (classe or ?)

I have a classe ca-100 ($1500 new) and was wondering if it would be better to buy another one and use them as mono blocks or would my money be better spent on a 2 times more expensive stereo amp (doesn't have to be classe)? My other gear is wadia, thiel, MIT, and a passive preamp. I seriously want to know so any knowlege is appreciated.
kacz
kbs1249
14 posts
 
I have found, in general and at that price level, that if you use a 200w stereo amp, it will sound more effortless than two 100w bridged stereo amps. I bridged two bryston 3b's compared to one 4b and found the above to be true. It all depends on the sound you are trying to attain. Anyone, please correct me if I am misinformed.
carl_eber
1,425 posts
 
I was referring to the one Krell amp. Like I said, monoblocks do have advantages. I've not heard two of your amps as monoblocks directly compaired with mine, but I did compare mine to Musical Fidelity XA-200 monoblocks, and it easily beat them in every performance aspect. It would only cost you $500 more than $1500. Good luck.
gerrym5's avatar
gerrym5
286 posts
 
Hi Kacz, Mono amps are generally preferred. My engineering and listening experience over twenty years is that you are generally getting more power supply head-room and better regulation per channel with mono amps. This is huge plus for sound quality. Some stereo amps have mono bridge option. Bridged operation sound quality varies more from amplifier design approach. Most reviews cover this, and so check that out on yours. If your speakers have bi-wire capability then there is another preferable option. You can run a stereo amp behind each speaker. Wire the single stereo amp this way with one speaker output going to the treble and the other going to the bass on the same speaker. This has worked very well for me in the past, others, in my listening circles. Maybe a very good way of adding 2nd classe amp model to your system without having a bridge operation capability. Today, I run Audio Note Ankoru's mono block per speaker. cheers, Gerrym5
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