Advantages of monoblocks


Hey all,

The merry-go-round, which had stopped for a while, is now showing signs of a slow circular movement. In nautical and financial terms this is usually never a good sign.

Anyhow, I'm running a quite good LSA Statement integrated now, powering de Capo BE monitors. I was wondering if monoblocks and a good pre-amp would be a better way to go?

I last had monoblocks when I ran Rogue M120's about a decade ago befor moving on to an ARC VS-110.

Would monoblocks present a significant advantage over a single amplifier or over the tremendous LSA?

They would have to be used and my budget is $4K max.

Cheers,

simao
128x128simao
With a 4K budget, I seriously doubt you will find something better than you already have.
I agree, Chayro. I'm tire-kicking a bit here, but monoblocks have always intrigued me in how dedicated they can make each speaker be.
04-28-14: Atmasphere
George's comment about ground loop issues is incorrect.

Saying "incorrect" itself, is a typical incorrect "blanket statement"
As I said "You have a greater chance of (hum) earth loop problems with monoblocks" Emphsis on "greater chance"

Plenty written about it here.
https://www.google.com.au/search?newwindow=1&site=&source=hp&q=earth+loops+with+monoblock+amps&oq=earth+loops+with+monoblock+amps&gs_l=hp.12...3023.16152.0.17986.31.30.0.1.1.0.216.4806.5j23j2.30.0....0...1c.1.42.hp..16.15.2219.ue2JH8za4fw

Simao, you've already own one formidable amp which to really better it at least needing
a two to three times jump from your current allocated budget.

I would think using the fund (going separate needing 2xICs) to upgrade your current
IC/SC or investing in good PCs instead (if you haven't done so), these would usually yield
a worthwhile improvements, ime. ~ ie.maximizing on what you have first.
A point that has been alluded to above, but IMO warrants further emphasis, is that separating a design onto two chassis increases cost. And even more so if the design is separated onto two amplifier chassis plus a preamplifier. Therefore at a given price point the benefits that a monoblock approach can potentially provide trade off against the potential for a reduction in quality. How that tradeoff will net out can of course be expected to vary widely among different designs.

Personally, although I have no particular familiarity with any of the specific components that are involved, my instinct is to agree with Chayro and Bvdiman (although I express no opinion about the latter's cable upgrade suggestion). Replacing an $11.5K integrated amplifier with $4K worth of used monoblocks and a used preamp doesn't seem to me to be likely to result in an upgrade, unless something is particularly disappointing about the integrated in question, and/or its compatibility with the speakers.

Regards,
-- Al