Advantages of monoblocks

Why not go all the way, mono blocks x two. Yes that would be a bi-amp approach. I have used Marantz MA 22's to create such a system. The highs are clearer, the lows tighter on my ProAc's. The MA 22's are bridgeable, and I have tried this dual monoblock approach to a single channel, but the bi-amp approach worked best. Since the design of all amps, including mono blocks, needs to be 'mated' to actual speakers to tell if mono is better, trying is the only way to determine. Yes, audio is complicated.

Biamping mono's worked the best for me, too--dual monos x 2. Also mono'd pre's with this system. I think if you mono the pre's you don't have the output impedence issue. I just used two identical stereo pre's but used one pre for each channel.

Of course, monoing everything can't mitigate poor SQ as Bvdiman points out.

I run my McIntosh 275 as "mono" (I have two of them!!). Would that be considered "mono block"? I would think yes?

Thanks
Rick

Yes in the sense that your crosstalk is zero.

If the amplifiers in a stereo chassis share a common ground at the speaker terminals, you will most definitely hear an improvement in dimension by running monoblocks.

This is due to the fact that certain information will be canceled at the speaker due to the common ground seen in a lot of monoblock amps.

The other advantages have already been discussed. If you run long speaker cables there will be a loss in resolution compared to running long interconnects. A lot depends on how you set up your system in this regard! In general though if your speaker cable is much over a meter or so in length you will be leaving some system resolution on the table.

George's comment about ground loop issues is incorrect. Ground loops exist out of how the amp is wired. It is true that some amps are wired in such a way that ground loops are more likely but this has nothing to do with whether the amp is a monoblock or integrated- it has everything to do with whether or not the designer understands how to ground the equipment.