2. amps-preamps
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Monoblocks or upgrade to larger amp?

I have a Plinius SA 100 Mk.III amp with a Audio Research REF 1 pre-amp, Meridian 508.28 CDP, Dynaudio Contour 3.3 speakers using NBS Monitor I ic's and Monitor III speaker cables. I love the sound on this system. However, I'm considering upgrading the amp to either the Plinius SA 250 Mk IV, or get another SA 100 MK.III and use both amps as monoblocks. What do you all think would be the better way (sonically) to go? And why? From what I understand using monoblocks provides a "cleaner" stereo separation and better soundstage. However, will upgrading to a more powerful amp provide greater detail?
rosstaman
redkiwi
1,092 posts
 
I would have a bit more respect for the opinions of the dB freaks if you had actually heard a SA100 and SA250 in a few systems. I don't give a toss which one has the more power, the SA250 is a significantly better power amplifier.
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
Sean, I think that you miss my point; the comparison was between two SA-100 and a 250. Therefore the differnce in db is between 200WPC and 250WPC. Redkiwi has also conveniently misread my post. The point I made was that the power difference was negligable and that sound quality was the deciding factor. I have heard a friends SA-100 in his system and my own for an extended period. Maybe Redkiwi should actually try to read the posts before responding.
redkiwi
1,092 posts
 
Viridian, you wrote "The difference in power is very negligable, any of you slide rule types out there want to calculate the power difference in db for us?" Somehow I cannot find the point you claim to have made about sound quality being the deciding factor - do I have to try reading it backwards, or have familiarity with the Koran? Or is your point on some other post somewhere and I missed it?

You also wrote "Maybe Redkiwi should actually try to read the posts before responding." Maybe Viridian should actually try to post the point he is claiming to make before claiming others are not reading it.
gregm
3,021 posts
 
Viridian: so, does your experience tally with Redkiwi in that the 250 is the better sounding amp?

Excuse my confusion, but your first post just has the one sentence Red reproduced (maybe the rest didn't get posted?) and in the second I can't see your suggestion.
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
Appologies to Redkiwi; I thought the post was quite clear, that the differnce between 2 100s, i.e. 200 watts per channel was only marginally different on the db scale than a 250 at 250 watts per channel. It would seem to follow that if power is not an issue we should concern ourselves with sound quality. When Redkiwi said that he "would have more respect for the db freaks if they had heard the equiptment" I felt it was a misreading of my post as I had pointed out that, in fact, power was not an issue in this case.
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