Are mono amplifiers superior to stereo amplifiers ?

[kyuu]

You can have the opportunity to have more power in mono than in a stereo amp. With mono amps, the full power from the electrical outlet is available to convert into output wattage. In stereo, it's shared between two channels.

Um, what? Unless you have dedicated circuits for each mono amp, that's not at all accurate. Even then, your standard (U.S.) circuit has 1.4kW of continuous power available and can supply much more than that for brief periods (i.e. for transients). Power from the wall is simply not an issue for speaker amplification in any conceivable residential situation.

 

[RaymondFromThePyrénéés]

Thank you so much

 

[RaymondFromThePyrénéés]

Coming back to you about 3E A7 Mono versa stereo. I still read in spite of what is said that putting out the extra 100€ for two monos would be for big orchestra Beethoven and alike, an advantage in left right balance if :
I put the mono amps right behind the speakers with only 50cm amp to speaker câbles ?

The cables between the Wiim Ultra and the mono amps would then be longer, about 2 meters.

 

[RaymondFromThePyrénéés]

Of course, the room and choice and placement of speakers will have more impact than any choice between mono and stereo amps, but since I am about to buy...

 

[john61ct]

It is VERY stupid to ask AI for advice

 

[john61ct]

thank you, I will do with one sub.

But is the WiiM Ultra such a good deal when comparing with other streamers
when buying it without its amp ?

Getting the Wiim Ultra + the 3e A7 stereo is equivalent, nearly exactly

to getting the WUA all in one.

I don't know of any streamers price competitive with Wiim

 

[john61ct]

Thank you. Is is possible to "bypass" the amp in the wiim ultra amp
if I want to use occasionnaly another amp like for example a tube amplifier ?

Yes very easily. WUA can only output to its USB OR the speakers not both at once.

With the former, it is just like the Wiim Ultra but less flexible.

If you want stereo subs, get Wiim Ultra and split the output signal full-range, e.g. Eitr 2 or Topping 10S.

You will not be using the Wiim DSP to handle crossovers though.

You can use the mono sub output for a third sub, e.g. to help with room modes if you like.

 

[RaymondFromThePyrénéés]

It is VERY stupid to ask AI for advice

Yes, more of a joke, as I wrote, doesn't have your experience

 

[john61ct]

Yes, more of a joke, as I wrote, doesn't have your experience

Just refrain from posting its slop, could confuse people

 

[RaymondFromThePyrénéés]

It is true, sorry

 

[RaymondFromThePyrénéés]

I have replaced the AI comment

 

[RaymondFromThePyrénéés]

Getting the Wiim Ultra + the 3e A7 stereo is equivalent, nearly exactly

to getting the WUA all in one.

I don't know of any streamers price competitive with Wiim

WUA nearly the same except for power ??

the 3E A7 gives more power for my 87db speakers, does it not ?

And which is better for 2 futur subs ?

Wiim ultra amp
Or
Wiim ultra + 3E 7A

 

[john61ct]

WUA nearly the same except for power ??

the 3E A7 gives more power for my 87db speakers, does it not ?

Not much, very unlikely to make a difference in real life.

I think.

 

[john61ct]

And which is better for 2 futur subs ?

Wiim ultra amp
Or
Wiim ultra + 3E 7A

I already answered if you mean stereo subs.

If you want stereo subs, get Wiim Ultra and split the output signal full-range, e.g. Eitr 2 or Topping 10S.

You will not be using the Wiim DSP to handle crossovers though.

You can use the mono sub output for a third sub, e.g. to help with room modes if you like.

multiple mono subs can be fed by the same analog signal, just need plumbing gadgets like a distribution preamp, line driver, maybe

 

[RaymondFromThePyrénéés]

Is there a big difference between stereo and mono subs ? I would suppose that there is ?

Then, which setup is better, easier to control, with the stereo sub setup ?

Wiim ultra amp
Or
Wiim ultra + 3E 7A ?

Or perhaps similar setups ?

 

[terryforsythe]

You can have the opportunity to have more power in mono than in a stereo amp. With mono amps, the full power from the electrical outlet is available to convert into output wattage. In stereo, it's shared between two channels.

Sorry that's incorrect. What happens if you plug both mono amps into the same outlet using an adapter? Do you halve the output of the mono amp?

It depends on the power supply configuration, but Keith_W is correct that, whether you have one plug or two, generally it doesn't matter.

As an example, my Hypex Nilia500DIY Stereo amplifier originally had one power supply for both channels. Power output is specified as 300W/ch into 4 ohms and 260W/ch into 8 ohms. The Hypex Nilia500DIY Mono has a dedicated power supply for each channel. It's power ouptut is specified as 525W/CH into 4 ohms and the same 260W/ch into 8 ohms. So the output power is the same at 8 ohms, but different at 4 ohms.

I modified my Nilia500DIY Stereo by adding a second power supply. So, now, it is dual mono, which puts me at 525W/CH into 4 ohms. Both power supplies are connected to the same power input, and thus I use a single power cord plugged into a single outlet. I did make sure that the power cord is rated for the current demand of both power supplies.

 

[Ultrasonic]

Is there a big difference between stereo and mono subs ? I would suppose that there is ?

Then, which setup is better, easier to control, with the stereo sub setup ?

Wiim ultra amp
Or
Wiim ultra + 3E 7A ?

Or perhaps similar setups ?

Both only have a single subwoofer output so I'd stick to one. There are potential benefits from multiple subwoofers but it's harder to get things set up optimally.

 

[RaymondFromThePyrénéés]

Thank you,

or could I add a minidsp for two stereo subs ?

 

[Ultrasonic]

Thank you,

or could I add a minidsp for two stereo subs ?

Yes, you could. Although if you want to go down that route you might want to re-evaluate if you want a Wiim in the first place.

I'm very familiar with miniDSP products but use a single subwoofer myself as per my signature. Based on measurements in my room I can tell you that I couldn't improve things with a second sub in any of the places I could actually put one. Your room and options may well be different but getting into sorting this out optimally is not a 5 minute job...

 

[scrubb]

Would not a stereo amp have crosstalk while two mono amps have none?