Plinius SA102, single versus mono?


Hi,

I use Plinius SA102 amp partnered by AA Capitole MKII, SE and B&W N802. As most of us, I try to get utmost of the system, still thinking of 802's to "sing" to their full potential.
Has anybody experienced running Plinius SA102 with stereo and then 2 x SA102 in mono configuration? I just wonder how much the extra spare power enables more pronounced articulation with mids and high's. Is it worth of the effort, and how compared to Plinius SA 250 MKIV?
thomaskatewicz
no the amps are sweeter in stereo.your speakers are 8 ohms they do not present a tuff load at at all. and they are pretty efficient maybe you listen to loud save your ears and enjoy the music the sa102 is one of the best solid state amps in the world period
Also presume there is a mono switch but power can vary widley though rule of thumb is in a standard vertical bi-amp situiation and power you double biy it could be three times power.Laterally you might get better performance if you ahve bi-wire posts but don't expert loudness of vertical flip of a switch to mono.Horizontally with one amp going to tweeters and one to mide/bass driver your output oF 150% of original apir.If set was not underpowered but you got second amp this is the way to do it.Not totally sure )and maybe follow can say_ but with two of dsame amps horizontally you wouldn't need Marchand or Bryston HQ x-over.Choosing to do it is based on others telling you if it sounds beter,need for power,and x-over if needed.This is why bang for the buck most folks will go for mmopre power with vertical set up but some of the most magical set up are when one amp only has to move it's tweeter and one to the bass/mid driver in two way design.
This is most likely not what you were thinking about, but it's definitely someting worth considering, IMO. Use the SA-102 in stereo to power the upper range of the speakers, and add a Bryston amp for the bass drivers. You may have to get a "pro" version Bryston amp, or find a way to match the gain of the two amps (attenuators?) but IMO it would be a great combination. (I own an SA-102 and used to own a Bryston amp).
Your timing sucks. I recently got a second SA100 mk3 to do just that. Didn't want to hook both up till I got a dedicated line and then the house got sold. My problem is compounded by a third bass amp (Genesis 1600W). That's almost 3KW combined into 4 ohms, for those of you counting, and a bit more than a single 15A breaker can handle.

To be honest, I'm not expecting much other than reduced noise by going full differential. I just like monoblocks and "going over the top". Normally, I wouldn't advise bridging, particularly into 4 ohms, but the Plinius (Pliniui?) were built for that. There will probably be reduced class A bias but should still be plenty. Although, they do get as hot as a 1000W hair dryer. Give me a month or so.