stereo amp vs monoblocks, any advantages?

Good question.

I'm stretching here a bit , but the main advantage I can see for monoblocks versus say a dual-mono single box design is that you get a dedicated power cord to each side. That would be beneficial I think if the amp draws a lot of current andassuming your power circuits are capable of delivering more current to each this way than otherwise.

There may be some advantages in exposing line level circuitry in the amp to lesser EM fields produced by a single power transformer nearby rather than two as well.

That's all I can think of.

You gain absolute separation between the channels of the amp and much greater flexibility in amp placement. You don't have to worry about such things as weather to biamp horizontally or vertically. You don't necessarily gain extra power, theoretically you can make a stereo amp of any size, but two monos are easier to manage than a stereo one, and , as previously mentioned, what is going on on one channel never affects the other. Monos take more room, 2 power cords and are inevitably more expensive, otherwise they will always be better assuming same quality otherwise.

When you are buying a "Dual Mono" amp on a single chassis check on what they mean, the term is used very loosely, not consistent even with the same company. Some of the Musical Fidelity amps , for example, have two separate transformers, one for each channel, and others have one large for both. Both are called 'Dual Mono". The more parts of the amp that are shared between the channels the more they will interact with each other.

My Stereo IcePower amp has separate compartments for each channel. Each module has own regulated supply. Monoblocks still would be better because they shorten speaker cable.

Thanks guys - I still am not seeing that much of an advantage though. That is, on the flexibility of amp placement (I guess you mean you can have them off to the sides), but you would still be stuck because of the interconnects unless you bought longer ones (a disadvantage). I am new to all this but I wouldn't imagine dedicated power cords would make much of an audible difference, and Kojiki, you might gain in shorter speaker cable but lose in longer interconnects.

Anyway, just playing devils advocate here and am still not seeing much advantage, in fact I would call hauling around two blocks more of a disadvantage, still, I notice most of the serious audiophiles use monoblocks so there must be some real advantage.
Oh, Mapman, the point about the amp drawing and delivering more current - I have read that you should plug all your audio gear into the same circuit if possible, in that case it seems that there would be no benefit as you are still taking current from the same place. As I said, I am a newbee and might be missing something though.
Looking forward to hearing more on this.
Thanks so far guys.