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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
drrdiamond
671 posts
 
Bi-amping will almost always improve sound quality. Actively bi-amping is almost always the best way to go.
Most people will recommend vertical bi-amping, but horizontal biamping will also provide definite advantages.
I personally am actively horizontally bi-amping. The difference from when I just used one amp is mind boggling.
I will never go back!
redkiwi
1,092 posts
 
Believe me, the SA250 will run the Dynaudios much better than the SA100 (have tried these combinations). As suggested above, if you buy another SA100 then bi-amp, don't bridge. You will also find the SA250 sounds different than the SA100 - and the SA250 Mk3 sounds quite different from the Mk4. Looking at your gear, the SA250 Mk3 will be a very good match and obviously cheaper and more available second-hand.
aragain
39 posts
 
Remember, moving from 100 to 200 watts is only 3db.

Unless you *know* you need the 3db then the extra power means nothing.
sean
6,231 posts
 
All things being equal and so long as their is no question about the sonic differences amongst the amps, the Dynaudio's will always work best with the most power. If you aren't going to actively bi-amp, i would stear towards whatever gave you the most power per channel WITH the sonics that you were looking for. Sean
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tom_nice
387 posts
 
Unless I missed it, no one has yet mentioned the advantage of short speaker cables (with a longer interconnect) that monoblocks offer. I found that to be a major improvement in a fairly controlled experiment: monoblocks in place, 7' and 18" speaker cables, both Stealth UR, compared. With all the other advantages already mentioned, I'd go for monoblocks.
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