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Why use monoblocks?
- Thread starter JustAnAudioLover
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PristineSound
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I will answer the question, why make mono blocks to begin with.
Better channel separation.
And typically for speakers that needs a lot of power, an amplifier that can drive that, say 1kw of power, it's so big in size due to the power supply and heat sink, so you need a separate chassis just for one channel.
But today, you can get away with a lot of power with Purifi and Hypex and you don't need them in separate chassis.
The reason why Topping B200 is a monoblock is because they need to fit their chassis width to match their products line which is half rack width. If they made the B200 in one stereo and the power supply inside the chassis, it like have to be 44CM width and so it won't match their other products.
Many of the Chinese HiFi products are half rack width because the lifestyle in Asia is not like NA and Europe, Asian countries are predominantly apartment living.
Better channel separation.
And typically for speakers that needs a lot of power, an amplifier that can drive that, say 1kw of power, it's so big in size due to the power supply and heat sink, so you need a separate chassis just for one channel.
But today, you can get away with a lot of power with Purifi and Hypex and you don't need them in separate chassis.
The reason why Topping B200 is a monoblock is because they need to fit their chassis width to match their products line which is half rack width. If they made the B200 in one stereo and the power supply inside the chassis, it like have to be 44CM width and so it won't match their other products.
Many of the Chinese HiFi products are half rack width because the lifestyle in Asia is not like NA and Europe, Asian countries are predominantly apartment living.
How does the better channel separation manifest itself, especially with something as poor as vinyl?
Alice of Old Vincennes
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It doesn’t
Most mono blocks tend to be for people who also want more power than people who want stereo amps. Meaning that they are usually more powerful to begin with.
So, apples to apples, please show proof?
At the same wattage RMS out.
/\This one/\ is a wrap for this thread.
imo
Not, me, for sure.Who cares!?
I's sort of like drinking whole milk vs skim milk vs fat free milk.
If the small difference in calories causes you to get fat, then you are drinking way to much milk.
In the grand scheme of things, I don't care at all.
But, since he stated it, I'd like to see proof that what he is saying is the case in every single possible scenario.
The same RMS out for each channel of a stereo amp and a mono block (and the idle power consumptions [which he says will be +20 watts in each case]).
Blanket statements need proof.
I just want to know if I can HONESTLY say the same thing.
PristineSound
Major Contributor
Cross talk.
PristineSound
Major Contributor
Speaking of apartment living in Asia, here is an article of how most people on South Korea lives in apartments.
Americans may aspire to single-family homes, but in South Korea, apar…
archived 24 Jul 2025 13:19:30 UTC
This is common throughout Asia, so size of the equipment matters, unlike NA and Europe.
Hence, Topping SMSL, Fosi and the like are all small form factors, and you can only fit so much in a small form factor.
That's just a different name for the same thing essentially. More is in the source, tho.
PristineSound
Major Contributor
Do you dispute that monoblocks reduces crosstalk? Audible or not, do you dispute this?
More that it is meaningless in general. Audiophilia.
PristineSound
Major Contributor
So no, you don't dispute it.
Not much to dispute, it just doesn't mean much.
sam_adams
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They don't reduce crosstalk. They just don't add any more than may already exist in the upstream components.
PristineSound
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You asked a question, I gave a scientific answer. If you don't like the answer, trying to diminish it still doesn't discredit the scientific validity of my answer.
So no, you don't dispute it because you can't and there is no need for me to reply to any further rebuttal you may have.
PristineSound
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Sure, you can say that too.
sam_adams
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PristineSound
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Glad someone who actually marked as a technical expert weighed in on channel separation.
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Can someone please tell me, since when in the hell has crosstalk ever been an issue in this hobby?
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