Monoblocks Vs. Stereo Amps: Why It's Not about the Power

Two monoblocks or one stereo amp? Kevin Deal, armed with a phalanx of PrimaLuna EVO tube power amps, explains how to get the very best from them, whether you're using one stereo amp or are wielding two of them set to mono.
PrimaLuna EVO 100 Tube Poweramp: upscaleaudio.com/products/pri...
PrimaLuna EVO 200 Tube Poweramp: upscaleaudio.com/products/pri...
PrimaLuna EVO 300 Tube Poweramp: upscaleaudio.com/products/pri...
PrimaLuna EVO 400 Tube Poweramp: upscaleaudio.com/products/pri...

[@spdking]

i like listening to this guy talk, hes easy to listen to on my evo 400 :-) and moderately good speakers

[@rw3915]

I bought my first EVER pair of monoblock amps from you Kevin. It was a pair of Sonic Frontiers Power 3s. I bought my Sonic Frontiers Line 2 from you also, but that was a lo-oooong time ago. As a bonus, you gave me a ride in your brand spankin new 996 convertible. Wow. You're a cool dude man.

[@danielwilliams1921]

I’m running 2 Dialogue Premium power amps as monoblocks (rolled with KT-150s) that sound great!

[@lightningwaves5436]

Great video.. I only need one pair of mono amps for the loudspeakers and the subwoofers 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@user-ex9zm7bg3x]

Are you saying that an amp running in mono is configured differently than the same amp bridged?

[@RennieAsh]

Dual mono = best of both worlds

[@kmd88412]

yup, amazing.

[@johnbarnette7004]

Hey Kevin, I bought a PL Prologue 4 from you years ago. Perfect condition except no boxes. What trade in/ trade up for a pair of Evo 100’s? Likewise my preamp is a NAD and thinking about an EVO 100 Preamp with phono board. Speakers are Zhu Audio Union 6. Awesome educational video. I was expecting discussion of channel separation and sound staging.

[@upscaleaudio]

Glad you liked the video! Feel free to give us a call at 909 931 9686 or email us at [e-mail], and we can answer your questions.

[@williamcampbell3868]

Dual mono is cool, but I like tubes on midrange and treble with transistors on bass. That's how I'm biamping my Maggie 1.6's. I heard monoblocks and I think they have a wider soundstage. However biamping with tubes on midrange and treble and transistors on bass produce a less wider, but taller and deeper soundstage.

[@jgt4862]

Like @danielwilliams1921, I'm running 2 PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium amps with KT-150s into the very efficient Volti Audio Rivals and it sounds effortless.

[@gadymarcus2362]

Bello/Magnifico.💰💰💰💰💰💰

[@nebulusnebulus6503]

I have got Evo 400 Pre + 2 x Evo 400 Power Amp with a 97 dB Speakers in a small room (22,5 square meters) add a second power amp gives me control and noise floor in my Pylon Amber MK2 speakers

[@markmallinson935]

What’s your thoughts on Prima Luna and your set-up

[@sresener]

dropping the noise floor and tube amps should not ever be in the same conversation :)

[@MikeGervasi]

My Primaluna Evo 100 sounds stellar in stereo. It's like 2 monoblocks in 1 unit.

[@DrBroncanuus]

But Paul McGowan of PS Audio has stated that Maggie's are not difficult to drive and it is a myth that they are

[@iampuzzleman282]

biamp with a Macintosh MC 901.

[@gage4375]

Mono blocking crown amps🤔

[@wric01]

2 fosi za3 for the rest of you poor poppers. And don't think you'll ever find one with xlr input at these prices. 150 each 48v version. And yes i only use one for powering my magnepan lrs+ and it did a sufficient job. Just cause it's that cheap might as well tinker diy opamps and mono blocks away.

[@EdBenji]

The human ear can't even pick up most of these differences these guys crap on about!

[@philbarone4603]

I agree but Kevin is fantastic and I got incredible customer service from him.

[@chrish.4067]

Sales pitch!

[@athathsonty2925]

Please forget about the (Prima Luna?) Sales Pitch (?), and focus on the advice about the 'Quality' of Power and how to achieve it, for the noticeable improvement in Sound quality.

[@chrish.4067]

​@@athathsonty2925 it's a bunch of hype. I am very happy with my stereo SET amp. Listen to music more and be less concerned with gear less. I can't stand listening to music through mono blocks that some so called audio pile has cranked to 11.

[@kevind2760]

@@chrish.4067 Your SET amp will act as a tone control depending on the impedance curve of the speakers. You can't predict sound unless you look at the curve or better yet, hook them up. You can't use it in a bigger room and many speakers.

[@kmd88412]

I don't think it is about max power, but the sense of effortlessness I get when using mono-blocked amps. Just my experience. Everyone has an opinion that reflects their reality. @@chrish.4067

[@chrish.4067]

@@kevind2760 yes, you can't predict tone. That's why I listen with my own ears for 50+ years. There's always some folks that want to expound on how their way is the only way, be it stereo systems, guitars, cars, or whatever.

[@johnwatrous3058]

Way overpriced.

[@spdking]

not really. there are home audio and theater shit at the box stores for way more and delivered about 25-35% what some good value products do. the question, is your wallet what guides your opinion? some wallets are deeper than others. see how ones opinions change fast with how deep a pocket is.

[@666dualsport]

trying to convince yourself that old school valves sound better than modern tech is mind blowing--- its always old blokes with worn out ears who choose this stuff lol

[@philwhite4191]

Well now, you young whippersnapper...say you wanted to build the best vinyl capable rig possible for 7 grand. I know, I know, you spent 3x that just for a turntable. But for those without an unlimited budget, but who have the ear and the soul to feel a holographic soundstage, valves will get you there. From a dude who rocks a Dynaco PAS-3X tube preamp and Mark III monoblocks (all custom built) through vintage JBL Centurys, spinning wax on a garage sale Technics SL-5200 fitted with a Stanton Calibration Standard cartridge and stylus. Trust me, my young friend, whether I play Melanie Gardot, Judas Priest, Body Count, or Wagner, the lucky listener will experience the music like never before. 60 true RMS watts per channel can rock your face right off of your face.

[@666dualsport]

@@philwhite4191 as i said--- old blokes with worn out ears like old tech, the new tech sounds soooo much better --lol

[@philwhite4191]

@@666dualsport you made a claim, I responded with a case. And you responded with the same claim. Maybe you and I are the only ones watching this particular repartee, but so far that makes two of us who know that only one of us so far is actually making interesting conversation. The other one needs to step up or shut up 😎

[@philwhite4191]

For instance, you could describe "sound" and qualify it more eloquently than simply "better". By doing so you will lend us the benefit of your experience.

[@philwhite4191]

Allow me to elaborate upon the holographic soundstage provided by even a modest tube rig such as mine. I can say, "I can feel the air vibrating between the strings", when I hear an acoustic guitar.