Monoblocks and pre or integrated pros and cons

[Lawrence001]

no my F5 clones are very light and easy to carry

Really, I thought they'd have massive heatsinks.

[Enossification]

Monoblocks apparently have less cross talk. I have experimented with a few pairs of mono blocks and preferred a single stereo power amp.

Me too

[Floyddroid]

Good post

[vinyljunky]

From what I can gather from all the responses it sounds like all I'm gonna get from monoblocks and a pre is the extra cost of the extra cables needed I had denon monblocks a few years ago and wasn't blown away and it was a faf to get a pre to mate with them for synergy

[Swann36]

I have a pair of Cyrus Mono Xs and must agree that when I had some KEF LS50s relatively tough to drive I heard the benefit compared to a Cyrus integrated however now I use Klipsch Quartets or Tannoy Berkeleys I’m certain I don’t really benefit much from having 150 -1500 watts on tap for each speaker

[Barry]

From what I can gather from all the responses it sounds like all I'm gonna get from monoblocks and a pre is the extra cost of the extra cables needed I had denon monblocks a few years ago and wasn't blown away and it was a faf to get a pre to mate with them for synergy

I did say the cost/benefit ratio would be low.

In my case, the monoblocks are located behind each speaker, which being electrostatic need a mains supply. When I had a dedicated ring main installed solely for my audio setup, there was a double socket for the speaker and amp on each side, so the equipment mains cabling is short. The amps are connected back to the preamp and sources, near my listening position, using balanced line cables, which was also installed along with the ring main, so under the floorboards and carpet and thus out of sight.

[Macca]

I have a pair of Cyrus Mono Xs and must agree that when I had some KEF LS50s relatively tough to drive I heard the benefit compared to a Cyrus integrated however now I use Klipsch Quartets or Tannoy Berkeleys I’m certain I don’t really benefit much from having 150 -1500 watts on tap for each speaker

It's not so much the number of watts but the amplifiers ability to maintain voltage into low impedance loads.

[Clive197]

I used to many years ago run a pr. Cyrus monoblocks but found no useful advantage over a stereo power amp. I currently run a pre/power combo which sounds significantly better than any integrated I’ve heard.

[Macca]

I used to many years ago run a pr. Cyrus monoblocks but found no useful advantage over a stereo power amp. I currently run a pre/power combo which sounds significantly better than any integrated I’ve heard.

Bryston, very tasty.

[Enossification]

It's not so much the number of watts but the amplifiers ability to maintain voltage into low impedance loads.

For what it's worth, I think a big, gutsy amp would be better. I just love that effortless bass.