Why Monoblock Amps are Better than Two Channel Amps!

[@cheapaudioman]

Do monoblock amps destroy regular amps? Kind of but it's not that simple Fosi Audio V3 Mono amzn.to/4eVbGOP (affiliate) Outlaw Audio 2220 Monoblock amzn.to/3Nz9uAo (affiliate) Emotiva A1 Monoblock bit.ly/3zEDNQp (affiliate) Emotiva DR1 bit.ly/4eOIHfD (affiliate) Schiit Tyr bit.ly/40cwIEe

[@mrpmj00]

My NAD C298 class D sounds better than even my Class AB $1500 Parasound 2250v2 --- source=Apple Music lossless

[@DEFKNIGHT]

Well you know there's dual mono amplifiers like Orchard Audio's Starktrimson Ultra 2.0 GaN Fet amps. They don't HAVE to be two separate blocks!

[@TriAmpHiFi]

@@DEFKNIGHT . Starktrimson Ultra amplifier's equipped with a pair of GaN Fet transistors share a common switching power supply. By definition, it is not a dual mono amplifier. Acid Jazz, Funk & Brass 🔈🔉🔊

[@jeffgass89]

Happy anniversary Randy! So very glad your channel is still around! Cheers to the future and many more subs!

[@whocares0503]

I saved my pennies for monoblocks and went new school! I went with Orchard Audio premium monoblocks using new Gan-Fet Class D technology. Super clean and revealing 150w. Lots of awesome reviews. Give it a review. I am sure Leo, the owner will lend you out a pair!

[@DustinDonohue]

Surely Randy has reviewed Orchard Audio?! Easily one of the best deals in HiFi, I know it was for me as they were my first new amps I ever bought.

[@whocares0503]

@@DustinDonohue Leo's amps are EASILY one of the best deals in audio and blow AGD's versions away in Price/Performance...

[@s.daniel9224]

I’m hearing good things about outlaw. I’m a class AB fan and hesitant on class d. My experience is that they’re thin. Are the outlaws much better? Thanks for the advice.

[@jasonarsenault3791]

Congrats on the 4 years! Thanks for the quality content. Informative. Hilarious. Best combo.

[@jbpandit]

Happy KZbin-versary Randy! You are awesome! Keep it up, always great to see your videos!

[@CorneliusHolden]

I'm currently running two fosi ZA3s in mono with an aiyima t1 pro preamp and a geshelli j2, it sounds freakin great!

[@Ferryberg1]

Awesome! Which speakers do you drive them with? I have a NAD C338 and I’m wondering if I should upgrade

[@markwalker2285]

Bought a pair of the V3 monoblocks on Kickstart and have been running them pretty much 15 hours a day out on my front porch stereo system and haven't had any issues. I checked their temperature with an infrared temperature gun and found them to run about 108°. About to go by and check it out. I switched out the op amps and put in a Sparkos and a Muse O2 combination and they sound phenomenal. Enjoy your channel have.I been watching it for about 3 years now and I've got loads of useful information and enjoyment from it. Thanks!

[@Simon_Hawkshaw]

Thanks so much for this detailed review of monoblocks. My own system is built around 3 Marantz monos with a Fozi V3 stereo amp for surrounds, and I am enjoying my music with great input and advice from you, Sir. Thank you for rekindling my musical experience. Take care, my friend.

[@C0ffeeKing]

I have a pair of schiit vidars running in monoblock and it’s a day and night difference compared to just 1. Everything opens up and seems effortless and 3 dimensional. The soundstage is deeper, the clarity is better, highs are smoother, bass is deeper and cleaner, etc.

[@s.daniel9224]

Same here with my vidars….. In my kitchen system, I run 2 Gjallarhorn’s. I don’t think I’ll ever go back.

[@packman03]

Love the channel and appreciate your light hearted approach in a sometimes way too serious hobby. Here is a thought for future video that I think would really help people: You have experience with more combinations of components than 99.9% of us will ever see so you are in a fairly unique position to talk about the trade offs and pairings. For instance I learned that for my speakers, a 300wpc Emotiva XPA2 really showed up my 80wpc monoblocks because my speakers benefited from big, beefy power way more than the signal separation of the lower powered, slightly more expensive monos. And it really made a spectacular difference in the authority and room filling sound of those mini-towers that I did not expect. The second biggest improvement I have experienced behind buying my actual speakers. I’d love to hear how these amps would pair with some of your favorite speakers. TY and thanks for the videos.

[@williambaker3912]

Hey Randy, you missed another great offering from Emotiva in the monoblock category. The XPA HC monoblocks (Picked them up on the used market. I'm cheaper than you.) I am running the Schiit Freya+ into these powering Klipsch LaScala speakers and 2 RSL Speedwoofer 12s. This setup rocks my soul! Love your stuff!!!

[@Artemis_Prix]

I had almost went that route as well...I too have a Freya+ and Klipsch speakers (Heresy IVs). The only thing that gave me pause was the fact you can't use that specific model of Emotiva monoblocks in a bi-wired setup because there is only one pair of speaker terminals. I use very thick wire for my bass terminals and thus I need the second set of terminals to drive my mid and tweeter using much thinner wire (keeps the aeiry and holographic character of the music without top end roll off which is what a thick wire will do). As a result, I went with a BHK250 instead.

[@EvenHarmonics]

Seem to provide the energy (current in this case) to give low sensitivity speaker much better dynamics

[@LeDechaine]

Lol, "big old metal donuts" for the win. About old Pioneer amps, my main amp is a good old Pioneer Elite A35-R. Smooth and detailed (and not V-shaped). Happy anniversary, and happy Halloween!

[@oohmeconkers1968]

I ran Rotel RB960BX’s for damn near 30 years. Bit rough around the edges but handled all the various speakers and different sources I had over that period. Pretty reliable until noisy, crackly volume controls finally got the better of me. I decided to go back to an integrated amp (Cambridge Audio), reason being modern features (Bluetooth) ease of use and overall good looks. My health has been poor too so the integrated amp solution is ideal. I also needed to upgrade my CD so i bought the Cambridge CD transport. Can’t say i miss the Rotels to be honest but I do get why the pre/power route is popular. I had mine running both bi-amped and as a mono per channel depending on what speakers were in place!! Well done on 4 years and looking forward to 4 more at least 🎉🎉🎉😂

[@museric2007]

I believe I’ve actually had a coffee with 93% of your videos.

[@michaelwright1602]

For giggles I went and bought a pair of the Fosi ZA3 amps, I thought of them more of a novelty, or something to have on hand if another amp goes bad. Well, I have the ZA3 monos powering a pair of Magnepan LRS+ speakers. Now this is audiophile sacrilege according to my buddy, but I am running the LRS+ along with a pair of Fyne Audio F500SP speakers, and sometimes with a pair of Zu Audio DW6 Supremes. The ZA3's volume is purposely lower than the volume of the Fynes. The sound mix this setup brings to the table is nothing short of incredible. Immersive and dynamic is all I can say, and I never thought I would be running a setup like this, but it sounds so cool!

[@OldGuyHifi]

Happy Anniversary! Congrats my friend.

[@vindeiatrix]

I’ve got 3 Outlaw 2220s on my left right and center channels, and the 7000x for all surrounds. Marantz 8802 pre. With a blu ray, it’s absolutely insane. The monos basically make any speaker sound good.

[@MetalGreggNY75]

Randy my mom works for a continuing care retirement community called Kendal On Hudson located in Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow NY (in the Hudson Valley/Catskills of NY State). The apartments and office buildings are built on property owned by The Rockefeller.

[@TheFrugalAudiophile]

Something for every budget, love it! Also, I am wondering if the reviewers that are having trouble with the V3 mono blocks, were pushing them too hard or using them in an unrealistic situation? I would say that it could’ve fit into the lemon law, but it is strange that it was more than just one set.

[@Carl-bd1rf]

Ya, it is amazing you make a living doing this, you said it not me.

[@nigeltrigger4499]

The specifications of the Topping B200 monoblock are insane!

[@Ferryberg1]

Congratz on the 4 years Andy! Got a question, could you please try the Fosi monoblocks on the Dali’s? I have their predecesor and otherwise would love to hear (minimum) amp recomendations

[@kenhappen2u]

My buddy has the outlaw 2020 and they are amazing sounding and powerful for the price . I'll be getting myself a pair mono blocks and a nicely paired preamp within the next year

[@alwayspushing2031]

I am rolling on 7.4.4 system dual Outlaw 2200's and in my 2 channel setup dual V3's and have been very happy with both.

[@alwayspushing2031]

Dual B Stock Outlaw 2200's are a killer price with free shipping compared to the dual Emotiva's.

[@jontpt]

A choke is an inductor used as a filter, generally in the power supply. It doesn't store energy like a capacitor...

[@TheTrueVoiceOfReason]

Chokes smooth current, capacitors smooth voltage. This statement applies to power supplies.

[@thomasdix8453]

I use monos in my system, you are 100% on point, Randy

[@airsickgrove]

Big Up 4th anniversary for ya C.A.M.🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@ginom407]

Great choices in a wide price range! Thanks Randy! 👍👍👍

[@alainbesario6679]

Great review Randy congrats happy 4th year. I am considering getting the tyrs to drive my LRS+ maggies. Can you elaborate more on its SQ vs the emotive DR1. TY much randy if you'll ever reach back. Godspeed without you guys we won't get hefty information.

[@mikecampbell5856]

I always recommend that you look for an amp that responds down to 10 HZ or lower. If your amp only has a freq response down to 20 HZ, phase shift can begin at 40 HZ. At 10 HZ the phase shift will occur around 20 Hz and is not a problem.

[@MJ-ge6jz]

Having 1% THD is nothing to brag about. How about 0.001 THD! Now that's performance!

[@osliverpool]

Yep, 1% THD is poor... makers of cheap amps only state power at that THD level because it allows them to greatly overstate it.

[@itisjustacomment]

I bought Cyrus Mono's X 200 needed work. Sadly, you need a pre - and enhanced sound power supply, but you don't need them, but its sounds better. It sounds amazing as a result for under 2k £

[@Leb_-fv5gd]

NOT a good idea to put amplifiers on the floor, especially if you're stacking them on top of each other, too much of a fire risk. Nor should you take the feet off. Amplifiers need space to breath. Best thing to do is get yourself another rack with ADJUSTABLE shelves. Or one that you can take a shelf out of it completely which = double the height. Damn it, just one week too late with this video. Just bought a new bigger S.M.S.L amp to get more power, when I could have bought another S.M.S.L Da9 and mono blocked them. Oh well! That's life for you...

[@robertperry5206]

My Emotiva Xpa-1 gen 2 are the best amps i have heard! I also have their Rpa 1 which is a dual mono design are sound amazing as well.

[@jasonromich9919]

Im with Randy on the power thing. Even at lower volumes, 70 db or i think power comes into play. I recently got the micca g2s. I wanted something cheap for my bedroom. I first used s fosi tb10D, They sounded good. I then decided to hook the up to 2 aiyima A07 maxs in mono and there was a difference. The dynamcs at lower volumes were there. The bass and midrange were more present. The interference and crosstalk, no idea, extra power.....good.

[@ChuckYoung-l9g]

Congrats on your anniversary! Quick question: do dual-transformer amplifiers like the ones from Advance Paris sit closer to standard amps or monoblocks?

[@annebokma4637]

If a stereo amp is built dual mono for everything they are in between monoblock and stereo amp. The shared box is the only thing that can influence them both.

[@scottyo64]

I have had my DR1's for nearly 5 years. I bought them to run my maggies and also run them with my Cornwalls. I swear by them and have never looked back.

[@scottyo64]

FYI, they fit fine in the bottoms of my 2 Pangea racks

[@CompetentSalesUSA]

No audio advantage to mono block amplifiers. ✅

[@s.daniel9224]

Another great video Randy! I don’t know what any of that tech means. But, I do prefer monoblocks sound much better. Better in every way. Thx!

[@davidorrick63]

Hey Randy always enjoy your reactions is there any chance you will get the new B 200 mono block from topping thanks and have a great weekend

[@new-kids-on-the-block]

you really need to try the bx2 advance paris please try it out we would love that!

[@evan7123456]

You can get slightly older versions of the Emotiva XPAs for $500/ea used. I use three for my main channels on my home theater. They sound amazing and clean all the way up to volumes that will run you out of the room.

[@machone539]

A lot of folks it is NOT just the amps but also the power outlet. A lot of folks DO NOT have enough amps coming out of their power outlets.

[@patrickgeorge141]

I prefer monoblocks. I have Sound Performance Labs (SPL) Performer m1000 monoblocks and Picker International/Crown M600 monoblocks. I have other amps yet prefer monoblocks. Great video Randy. Audio by Van Alstine, Schiit, Emotiva and others make great monoblocks.

[@danteedee8204]

Power supply modulation - When one channel requires a large amount of current, the dc bus voltage is depressed, lowering voltage and current available to other channels.

[@maxpower78-15]

I dont have the monoblocks, but i have an Emotiva XPA DR2. Its amazing. I can only imagine how good it is in a monoblock configuration

[@EvenHarmonics]

Those are fantastic amps you have there. I would have purchased both but Emotiva says they are not good for electrostatic speakers.

[@maxpower78-15]

@@EvenHarmonics thanks. And that is interesting. I guess at least Emotiva is honest. Its decent they didnt encourage you to force a bad fit just to make a sale.

[@RR-dr6du]

I have a few nad 216 thx i run in mono in one of my setups.. super clear dynamic and loud.. 400 watts in mono a channel. Best thing is you can pick these up about 300 bucs!

[@BostonMike68]

Randy has notes, a static x t and a Wayne Static hair do nuff said

[@daveg6092]

I'm rocking 2 x Schiit Vidar's. Love them!

[@MojoMagic977]

You have the original Vidar’s or the newer Vidar2’s ?

[@s.daniel9224]

Same here.

[@BobbyTwoTimes]

DUDE! Was thinking about this for 3 days. I have the A2, but wish the A1s had balanced inputs.

[@michaelsegel8758]

Great review.... there are a couple more mono blocks out there. One I'd hope you to review is from Orchard. They are American made and are GaNFet powered. (If I said that right) Also small although larger that the Fosi. I think the price may be higher but still in your range.

[@Hi-FiChess]

You could add the Schiit Vidar 2 and Aegir 2 to the list since they can be used as monoblocks. I think most of us in here do run them as monoblocks if we can't afford to go with the Tyr.

[@mocomike01]

"everything destroys everything" 😂 love the included "this is hyperbole"

[@fabianoberlim9636]

Great video! I just miss Topping in the list Since I’m from Brazil. Anything that comes from US costs 90% tax Since US companies are usually not willing to lie the price

[@2wrdr]

PS Modulation: Imagine your right channel just played super loud bass note. As the current is sent out to right channel, it can cause a voltage sag in the PS. Since the left channel shares the same PS, that voltage loss affects your left channel gain thus creating a form of crosstalk in reverse and potentially low voltage induced distortion. This said "PS modulation" of any significance only occurs when you are at or near the limits of PS.

[@mgaming7]

I would buy the Emotiva A1's. I have their BasX A2 Stereo amp driving the Sonus Faber Lumina II's and it sounds Really Good.

[@PhillioDoede]

Topping has some new monoblocks out you should get in. The B100 monoblock that looks like its based on the LA90, and the class B B200 which being class B is obviously something quite different than just about anything else out there.

[@schemkesa]

Don't have monoblocks but separate amps for main speakers. Dynamics and control is the word. More available current for your speakers to be dynamic

[@row4hb]

Randy, put a tube preamp in front of those class D mono blocks and let us know what you think. Also congrats on the 4 years, here’s to 4 more fun years!!

[@davidkclayton]

You're absolutely right not a night and day difference in fact you can get with the same money a well-designed two channel amplifier that you would not be able to hear any differences. Everything you said about the technical differences are true. but are they audible not really? The monoblock is a solution to a problem that doesn't exist in here range of our hearing. This is mostly imaginary.

[@052RC]

You're guessing. You can't come up with a single evaluation, test or comparison, done by a credible individual or institution that is based in real science, not junk science, that can back up, "The monoblock is a solution to a problem that doesn't exist in here range of our hearing. This is mostly imaginary.", done on any piece of audio equipment ever made. And if you can't show where you get your information from, then you had to make it all up.

[@Ineedtotakeabreak]

@@052RCYou are the one that needs to present proof.

[@052RC]

@@Ineedtotakeabreak No problem. What claim did I make that you want me to prove?

[@michaellatta]

Power supply modulation means a single power supply switching between multiple channel or splitting its power dynamically.

[@mannye]

If you can find the old Crown D-75 amps (1980's -90s) Before they started making them in China, those D-75's were monsters. Configurable to monoblock or stereo. Now, they are pro-amps and come with pro-amp issues (the fans and the heat) but they are built like tanks and are single-rack units.

[@052RC]

A bridged stereo amp isn't a mono block. Its a bridged stereo amp.

[@mannye]

@@052RC Perhaps. But I can tell you those amps sounded good regardless of how pedantic one wants to get with descriptions.

[@blinkingmanchannel]

Another great video! I will let you know how it goes when I do my very strange combination of speakers... 😮 I'm gonna see if I can restart the clock on my fosi purchase from Amazon. I'm taking too long to figure out how to spec the Dayzee. I've never gotten bespoke... anything really. That is fun too. But my timing is messed up, so I gotta figure out how to "burn in" the fosi boxes... Do i just leave them on for a while or what? Another search topic... ... WILL the Dayzee let me control volume with the Wiim Ultra? I'm assuming yes. (...all i want for Christmas is for Geshelli to design a pre-amp that plays nice with their DACs...) Also, if you get bored, how can I relatively painlessly pull out a signal for the powered sub? Seems like a simple 🤪 math problem but I am not sure how to start... (easy for me to say right?) Cheers mate!

[@stevezeidman7224]

Very funny, as usual! Love the music.

[@mikedowdell-dl2ul]

I purchased the emotiva a1 mono blocks months ago and recently purchased the topping b200 mono blocks and they blow the emotiva a1 mono blocks away. They are less than half the size and weight. They have the same 200 watts per channel but the 4ohm rating is the same. Hopefully cheap audio man you'll get chance to check them out.

[@sage11x]

Monoblocks aren’t expensive… PROCESSORS are expensive. If you’re just doing stereo. Go ahead. Rock your socks off. But if you’re trying to run a home theater- forgettaboutit. And don’t tell me schitt syn.

[@annebokma4637]

Bought a Marantz processor second hand from store with warranty for 400 😂😂

[@chebrubin]

Get the Emotiva Reference Differential 3 channel if you want to drive 3 x front speakers at 98 DB with mono-block like sound.

[@RedSinter]

So, Randy... don't forget to tell us which ones are also Op Amp Swappable that would be sweet.

[@thecartruthreport8451]

Nice, I literally have the same 40mm Leviathan on order as we speak. How do you like it?

[@bradpyles5322]

Threshold 100watt pure class A mono blocks. End of discussion for me

[@museric2007]

Love the channel. I’m new to HiFi and have a FOSI DAC and AMP on your recommend and they are SO good! Cheers Mate!

[@tessie4204]

Do not put the volume to high on the Fosi! 💥

[@marcusperez4662]

Any chance on a review on the new aiyima monoblocks?!? Love your channel

[@c0mbat15]

I find Aiyima weird. They call all of their amps, that have a preamp, power amplifiers. I had two A07 Max Mono and the dB levels on them were quite a bit off. If I didn't have a mic and REW I wouldn't have been able to match them. No such problem with the Fosi Audio V3 Mono.

[@welderfixer]

Ron at NRD took audio gear "burn in" to 11. 😁

[@Lewis-jn8ry]

In reference to the modulation. The way my smooth brain understand's it is when modulation takes place you add information on to the wave by amplification. We do this in telecommunication and then demodulate it on the other end and remove as much noise as possible when we stepp the signal down for componets to actually use what ever signal we're sending. In the case of home theater, having one AVR that does everything creates extra nosie because it's being asked to handle amplification for multiple devices and it can't clean the current as well and some of that nosie or signal information get's through. If there's any electrical or telecomuncations experts in the comments, I'm generally curious if I am in the ball park with my understanding of modulation?

[@ryanschipp8513]

Randy in all seriousness and with all due respect, since you're now doing this for a living and you have tons of followers I think undoubtedly it's your duty to not do a video not knowing what you're talking about. For instance the modulation you mentioned and then the gain setting on the monoblock amplifier. You should do your due diligence and look into this stuff. Honestly it comes off as being lazy. Just some constructive criticism

[@s.daniel9224]

Bro, you should probably leave the hobby. Or at least, stop watching Randy. You’ve failed to understand what he does. Good luck!

[@MrAllanobrien]

I have the outlaw 2220 on 2 different set ups I really like them and feel that they really can’t be beat for the $ I feel like there’s a point of overkill $ wise for the extra performance

[@troyradley5168]

Question i just got a pair of kef r3 metas what would you recommend to power them and should i bi amp them ? Thank-you

[@annebokma4637]

If one needs servicing you can still listen in mono 😂 and the rumours are you will need that with the fosi

[@D1N02]

Forgot about the Topping B200. 599 a piece and 200 watts of class AB. Same as The Emotiva's When not in US these are cheaper than Emotiva. Myself I am looking at Hypex Nilai DIY (self assembly really, no soldering) they ar a thousand each and op to 500 watts at 4 and 2 OHM.

[@D1N02]

Also look up the Zerozone tpa3255 monoblocks on ali They have a dedicated 800 watt power supply, so plenty of headroom. You pay more than Fosi and Aiyima (a hundred) but you will get a better implementation of the tpa3255 that will hit harder than the cheaper options.

[@pjo1964]

Dual preamps, dual sources , dual ac breakers, you can only get so crazy with this lol

[@itisjustacomment]

You only need one pre, really .

[@scottyo64]

My preamp is fully differential along with my DAC, CD transport, etc. All but my VPI turntable and Teac tape deck

[@Rob1972Gem]

Using dual mono block amplifiers ark back to the good old days of mono Sound and basically when stereo sound became a thing instead of replacing the entire hi-fi people just brought a separate mono block for the other channel and it became a thing that is how it came about that is how it happenedand the big boys like to think it’s something special but it’s not it is when it comes to buying them in your wallet and that’s it.

[@34332]

Question: using monoblocks reduces or zeroes crosstalk in amplification. However, wouldn't a pre-amp (or WiiM) introduce some crosstalk, therefore taking away much of the mono amps benefits?

[@Hirnlego999]

Yes, but since 2.0 setting doesn't mean headphones then it's utterly pointless

[@052RC]

The Schiit amps you mentioned in the video are not mono blocks. They're bridged stereo amps. Its not the same thing, and there are negatives when bridging an amp. You get more power, but you take a hit in sound quality. Results will vary. If you messed up on speaker selection, and you need something a lot more powerful, bridging your amps may sound better. Otherwise, its questionable. If you already have 2 stereo amps, do a vertical biamp. You'll get more power, but not as much as bridging, however, you're not beating the crap out of your amps, and there's no negatives sonically. Or, just buy the right amps to begin with, then you don't have to bridge anything.

[@s.daniel9224]

Wrong.

[@thornwithin6195]

Here are some others: Advanced Paris X-A-1200 PS Audio m700 Topping B200

[@kellygrant4964]

Hey I am first!!! Been looking into monoblocks just for my CDs. Perfect timing.

[@mannye]

Where did my comment go? My avatar is Bottlehead Monolocks!

[@annebokma4637]

Very good looking. What else is in your chain? That Denon turn table?

[@mannye]

@@annebokma4637 Thank you, I had a lot of fun building them. Polishing the chokes and transformers was a hoot. This system consisted of the Music Hall MMF-5 with a Goldring 1012GX cart, into a Bugle Phono preamp, then the Foreplay preamp with all the upgrades, the Paramour 2A3 monoblocks and finally into a pair of Horneshoppe "The Horn" speakers. 3 watts of amazing sound. Depending on what I was listening to, I would sometimes add in the subwoofers from my DefTech BP2002 HT speakers. Alas, all that remains is the Music Hall turntable. 25 years old and still working.

[@annebokma4637]

@@mannye had to go see the speakers but I don't think you have the heil equiped once that are on the horneshoppe site right? Was thinking about combining that Amt with some open baffle bass next year. The AMT are amazingly cheap for what they are. I can imagine your system sounding great, and going on the amps they won't hurt the eyes either. Myself I love older gear. Bought most of mine new in 1990 😁. And my recent additions are even older. Been a estat owner all my adult live, looking into combining those with open baffle bass for starters. No tube amps at the moment, but those will return 😎 It is funny how many audio sites look like they were designed 25 years ago too at the latest 🤣

[@mannye]

@@annebokma4637 That is correct. I had the original horns. The designer kept the cabinet and folded horn calculations the same over the years, but kept experimenting with new drivers. Mine were upgraded to the second Fostex (I forget the model) and no I never got the Hiel. TO be fiar, the highs from just the Fostex drivers are good enough for me and the mids are insanely good. The only help those speakers ever really needed was in the bass, although with correct placement, they got low enough for most acoustic music. Just not AC/DC. 😁

[@annebokma4637]

@@mannye sounds like a ESL 57 description. Mids insanely good, high and low good enough 👍 at the moment those aren't my main speakers. But they did set me on the path of supplementing the treble and bass. I always assumed those heil tweeters were rather expensive, turns out they are 220 for 2 😁 to me that is value. They can go from 900hz up.

[@NPC-zv8bo]

Been using Outlaw model 2220 monoblocks for front left, right and center...would never go back to 2 or more channel amps for anything other than surround/atmos speakers.

[@user-st9wh4ed5l]

Best way to put it. Will there be a night and day difference. nope. But is there a difference, yeah a little bit. That was my experience exactly

[@mrpmj00]

My NAD C298 class D sounds better than even my Class AB $1500 Parasound 2250v2 --- source=Apple Music lossless

[@jungtarcph]

Don't use mono blocks. Bi-Amp instead. Take a fantastic class A(B) or tube amp for the midrange and tweeter (that you only need 35 good watt) and then run the bass of a Crown Class D - it has bass management and the gain can be matched to the gain of the other amp. It can typically also do bass management. 😉

[@scottyo64]

Ahhhh no

[@Hirnlego999]

That's often even more pointless. The upper range do not even use that much energy for it to matter, and it can lead to problems with the crossover filters.

[@052RC]

Stuff like that always sounds like crap. Also, when you use pro gear like the Crown, you do it because it has adjustable gain, not because it sounds good. Otherwise, you have to use an active xover. You can eliminate all the nonsense with 2 stereo amps, and do a vertical biamp. To do it any other way doesn't make any sense.

[@s.daniel9224]

Nope

[@ericgonzales854]

Go used for even cheaper....2 parasound for $180 or marantez for $200

[@joicejewerly5579]

I alway sit two feet in front of speakers😅😅😅Save money instead of buying an extra amp😂😂😂

[@TheTrueVoiceOfReason]

To understand what power supply modulation is requires some knowledge of how power works. Power, expressed in watts, as you know, is the product of volts x amps. One would assume that if you have a transformer rated V volts and A amps, that it will be able to deliver its VA rating with no issues. Ah, but here comes engineering and all of its compromises to turn that on its head. Up to a certain percentage of that rating, that"s true. After that point, usually when the current demand is high, the voltage starts to sag in order to attempt to provide more current. This leads to further drops in both voltage and current as the transformer heats up under this stress. And when the full rating is passed, that leads to dropouts or worse. Now, if you have multiple amplifier channels powered off this one supply, this sag and rebound (what happens after the demand goes down) will modulate all channels connected to this supply. When you have separate power supplies, such as in true monoblocks. That's about as short and sweet as I can make it.

[@centralscrutinizer9591]

I have a 1985 Harman Kardon PM665 VXI with 150 watts @8 ohms and I believe it is a monoblock amp.....is it not?

[@mikecampbell5856]

I have a 1983 Harman Kardon PM 650 and I love it. No, yours could be a dual mono design but it is definitely a stereo amplifier. Mono blocks have a single channel amplifier in it's own cabinet.

[@TriAmpHiFi]

@@mikecampbell5856 . Nice call. Picture shows a pair of transformers 👍 Acid Jazz, Funk & Brass 🔈🔉🔊

[@stevengagnon4777]

From what I find thr pm665 is regular integrated amplifier with a shared power supply for the power amplifier stage. It is 150 watts into both 8 and 4 olms. That is still a solid chunk of power for moderate listening. It is probably not happy with low impedance hard to drive speakers to high SPLs. That being said it does have an excellent phono preamplifier that has both MM and MC inputs. For my current system I would like this amplifier very much. The preamplifier is good with many inputs. It's a keeper just for the preamplifier section and it has a preout so any sort of power amplifier can be added and with a simple y connection the built in power amp can be used too. Or with an active crossover it can be used as one of the power amplifiers.

[@bstatmeister]

Randy, can you wear a TOOL t-shirt next video? Thx

[@cheapaudioman]

I would if I had one

[@jrjacobsil]

There is no audible difference between monoblocks vs stereo amps. But if you have too much money…

[@SlotHits777]

the trade off, is, mono’s usually take more space and use more power.. if you are on a power bill sensitive strict budget.. imo, dont do mono’s

[@TriAmpHiFi]

. 10 (a guess, but probably even more, to make a point) Class D amps = 1 Class A power amplifier. It's the Class A & AB's that soak up the juice. If one owns these inefficient Classes, they could use less electricity if they sold it & went Class D monoblocks. Acid Jazz, Funk & Brass 🔈🔉🔊

[@pietromanno8916]

JUST BUY A VINTAGE LUXMAM INTEGRATED AMP!!!! AND YOUR IN HEAVEN!!!!!!🎼🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎶🎵🎶🎵🎶🎵⚡⚡✌️⚡✨✨

[@getdealtwithquick]

Mono blocks for home listening? Please... Most people barely ever break the 30w barrier listening to music in their living rooms EVER, let alone 50W. And no: you simply don't need 250W to somehow make speakers "sing" at low volume. Its 🐎 💩. There are 50W class amps that make large $12K+ speakers play fantasticly but somehow, with class A/B or D reviewers, dealers and the audiophools buying from them tell us we need monoblocks with 1000w to do the same? 🤦 And more bass and deeper soundstage? Come on. Every modern amp puts out ruler flat frequency response across the entire audible range so trying to "EQ" your speakers by swapping power amps is the biggest waste of money and psychoacoustic gear simping next to cables. Monoblocks... save your money, buy speakers, really digital room correction and EQ and use a solution like a miniDSP or REW and be prepared to have your mind blown how good even budget speakers with 80 watts of Craigslist amplifier power can sound.

[@052RC]

I'm sorry, but I just have to ask. How hard was it to talk yourself into believing all of that crap? That's an exceptional amount of BS. Instead of fantasy, why not try some science instead? You're running 100% on emotions. Apply a little science and bring some much needed order to all this confusion.

[@s.daniel9224]

Dude, get a dog.