reasons to choose Purifi Mono over EVAL Stereo modules

[~kdvr]

Hi all,

What are reasons to choose Purifi Eval Mono(blocks) over Eval Stereo modules?

Context: Looking for an amp to drive a pair of Harbeth Super HL5plus XD speakers. I also use a RME IDA‑2 DAC fs and a mini‑PC that acts as a streamer in this setup. My primary concern is channel interference/crosstalk rather than sheer wattage but I appreciate any advice from this community.

measurements: https://www.stereophile.com/content/harbeth-super-hl5plus-xd-loudspeaker-measurements
specifications: https://www.stereophile.com/content/harbeth-super-hl5plus-xd-loudspeaker-specifications

'RME ADI-2 FS Version 2 DAC and Headphone Amp Review'

May 15, 2020

This is a review and detailed measurements of the updated version 2 of the RME ADI-2 FS DAC and headphone amplifier. It was kindly sent to me by the company. The cost us US $1,149.

The ADI-2 looks very nice in black with a bright, super responsive display (doesn't come out as well in the picture):

I usually only focus on performance of audio products and DACs don't have much to talk about anyway. Not so with RME products. There are tons and tons of features including two different headphone outputs with automatic detection and settings. There is a built-in parametric EQ...

• amirm
• Replies: 3,260
• Forum: Combination Audio DAC and Headphone Amplifiers

• 

Warmly,
R

 

[Nzama]

Look at récent boxem review
Cross talk is -110 db or so...

If you think is nice to have two mono and place them close to speakers to have short and neat cables, I mean is not anymore a technical reason probably! But it is nice and there is nothing wrong with it.

 

[~kdvr]

If it doesn't give me any hearable differences, I'll go for a stereo setup. Thanks for your help.

 

[Mnyb]

Cross talk ? there a lot of it right in the room acoustically between L & R ? cant imagine there's an appreciable difference in well designed electronics .

Good old vinyl had about 20-30 db in some part due to the cartridge...

 

[skankhobag]

The reason to go for the mono blocks:

• Absolute stereo separation
• A small bit more headroom
• You can make the amp to speaker wiring extremely short so wiring effects are absolutely negligible

These being stated, it’s most likely that the improvement using mono amps is inaudible.

Hey, if this is to be your ultimate audio system, go for the mono blocks. It’s just plain cooler and also offers more flexibility for any possible upgrades that you might want in the future.

If your money is tight, do the stereo rig.

 

[~kdvr]

I get the points, but I don't see clear practical advantages for monoblocks or dual-mono with well-designed electronics (Purifi-based amps) in my setup:

absolute stereo separation: true in theory, but modern stereo amps often reach similar separation, so it's effectively redundant for normal listening.

headroom: a stereo amp with a good (Hypex) power supply can deliver the same headroom as separate mono PSUs unless you're driving extreme SPLs or very inefficient speakers, which is not the case.

wiring: negligible for my layout - speaker runs are short so reduced cable length isn't a real benefit.

heat: with proper chassis and heatsinks, overheating isn't a mono-only advantage.

About flexibility: I'd argue a modular stereo amp can be more convenient - swapping or upgrading a single chassis is simpler than replacing two mono amps?

If anyone has counterpoints where monoblocks or dual-mono give a clear audible or practical benefit in a typical living-room Harbeth setup, I'm open to hearing them.

Warmly,
R~

 

[skankhobag]

You might want to re-read my posting. It doesn’t seem that you comprehended it.