To monoblock or not to monoblock

[fpitas]

Even sharing a supply, I have to question the practical disadvantages. A huge supply vs smaller supply is still cheaper than a separate amplifier enclosure etc.

 

[DavidEdwinAston]

My local CJ importer went over them some time years ago (I think it ended up being a fuse), can't remember the cost. Otherwise it's just tube replacement. The input tubes went 22 years with only one tube having to be replaced - something like $40. Otherwise it was re-tube the power tubes, which have lasted quite a long time. Bought late 90's, re-tubed around 2008, then again around 2015, and then just for fun tried some different tubes last year, though the old ones still worked.

Being monos they take 8 power tubes, so that's a disadvantage for tube monoblocks, sometimes double the tube costs. I think it was around $700 each re-tube.
But tubes are currently more expensive now mostly due to the war. I stocked up before prices went nuts. (Though they seem to be coming back down for lots of tubes).

Thanks Matt

 

[pseudoid]

Purchased second hand Matt, can I ask what sort of costs you have needed to outlay on them since?
I ask because I have long looked at Quad tube amplifiers.

Which "Matt" model did you purchase second hand?
I can't remember-the-member who posted this link but seems to work to give you used equipment pricing...

 

[DavidEdwinAston]

Which "Matt" model did you purchase second hand?
I can't remember-the-member who posted this link but seems to work to give you used equipment pricing...

Sweet

 

[DavidEdwinAston]

Sweet

That link looks very useful.

 

[MattHooper]

HiFiShark is my go-to for perusing current used prices on any equipment.

It's super encompassing of the market:

Hifi Shark - Used, Second Hand & Pre-Owned Hifi from 400+ Sources

Search and compare second hand Hifi equipment from 400+ sources world wide. Search by popular brands such as Accuphase, Hegel, Krell, Luxman, Mark Levinson and Sonus faber, and by categories like floorstanding speakers, integrated amplifiers, speaker systems, turntables and more.

www.hifishark.com

A nice feature too is you can set it up to send email alerts for the appearance of any equipment you are looking to purchase.

 

[levimax]

All things being equal, outside of cost and size, mono blocks only have performance and reliability advantages. While these advantages can be "engineered around" for the most part, especially with more modern Class D designs and switching supplies, for a Class AB amp with a linear supply a mono block makes things a lot easier. Routing , layout, cooling, and PS tweaking are all easier and all contribute to better performance with less engineering and more reliability.

 

[tjkadar]

I bought Class-D monoblocks for my mains because I wanted them and a couple bridged Class-D of lesser quality for my subwoofers. I could have saved a few bucks, but I've wanted monoblocks for decades. This scratched that itch without being obscene (I mean, this could be a PG-13 movie). There are so many choices out there at almost every price point that you can put together almost type of system you want that measures and sounds divine.

 

[MattHooper]

All things being equal, outside of cost and size, mono blocks only have performance and reliability advantages. While these advantages can be "engineered around" for the most part, especially with more modern Class D designs and switching supplies, for a Class AB amp with a linear supply a mono block makes things a lot easier. Routing , layout, cooling, and PS tweaking are all easier and all contribute to better performance with less engineering and more reliability.

Interesting. My CJ monoblocks have mostly been rock solid for decades now. They've also retained their value quite well on the used market, even though they came out in the mid 90s, and seem to have a good rep for reliability. Maybe that's part of the explanation.

 

[Doodski]

My CJ monoblocks have mostly been rock solid for decades now.

I had a service agreement with CJ in the 90's and I never saw one piece of gear come in for repair. LOL. It was the, "Lonely Maytag repairman syndrome."

OOOOPs! I made a mistake. It was Counterpoint I had the service agreement with.

 

[MattHooper]

I had a service agreement with CJ in the 90's and I never saw one piece of gear come in for repair. LOL. It was the, "Lonely Maytag repairman syndrome."

"Screwing up sound reliably - Life Time Guarantee!"

 

[pseudoid]

Hey @MattHooper, was @beefkabob (in his post #36) just pulling your leg (pushing your buttons)??
You don't have to try to defend your CJs, some of us feel yah!

 

[egellings]

Even sharing a supply, I have to question the practical disadvantages. A huge supply vs smaller supply is still cheaper than a separate amplifier enclosure etc.

Also, designing the amplifier to have a high PSRR will also minimize effects of supply variation on the output signal.

 

[fpitas]

Also, designing the amplifier to have a high PSRR will also minimize effects of supply variation on the output signal.

This is true. Of course, modern recordings seldom have isolated channels with no crosstalk. That just sounds kind of weird.