Monoblock amps - where to place them in setup?

[Al ears]

I am comptemplating replacing my integrated power amp with a pair of monoblocks.
In your opinion is it better to place these close to the preamp ie short interconnects and longer speaker cables or is it better to place them next to speakers with short speaker cables and longer interconnects?
Does it make any difference I wonder? Any thoughts guys? (or girls for that matter).

 

[The_Lhc]

What sort of distances are we talking about?

 

[Al ears]

What sort of distances are we talking about?

Not vast. Speakers are approx 3 metres apart and equipment rack is currently centered between them.

 

[busb]

I suspect it can be system dependant. It may also be down to how visible you want mono blocks to be as well as the logistics of mains leads. It does make the prospect of using two short lengths of Tellurium Q Graphite more viable! On paper, it makes more sense to keep the high current carrying cable as short as possible. It's also probably easier to hide (or route) interconnects than speaker cable.

 

[Al ears]

I suspect it can be system dependant. It may also be down to how visible you want mono blocks to be as well as the logistics of mains leads. It does make the prospect of using two short lengths of Tellurium Q Graphite more viable! On paper, it makes more sense to keep the high current carrying cable as short as possible. It's also probably easier to hide (or route) interconnects than speaker cable.

Who mentioned Tellurium Q Graphite??

Point taken about easier to hide.

I think the cost difference would be pretty much no existant (longer interconnects = money saved on shorter speaker cable runs)

 

[floyd droid]

What are you contemplating in the bloc dept Al , valve or s/s.

I have my monos on the deck either side of my rack , doubt it will make a blind bit of difference either way you go.

 

[Al ears]

What are you contemplating in the bloc dept Al , valve or s/s.

I have my monos on the deck either side of my rack , doubt it will make a blind bit of difference either way you go.

Thanks for that floyd. I did think that placement would not be an issue whichever way I went. It is just I've seen photos of demos which had the monoblocks right next to each speaker. Just wondered if the was a scientific reason behind this. (If there is such a thing when it comes to hifi )

 

[ISAC69]

I am comptemplating replacing my integrated power amp with a pair of monoblocks. In your opinion is it better to place these close to the preamp ie short interconnects and longer speaker cables or is it better to place them next to speakers with short speaker cables and longer interconnects? Does it make any difference I wonder? Any thoughts guys? (or girls for that matter).

3 metres is not a vast distance place the mono's near the pre .

 

[floyd droid]

Nah mate,hifi is 99% foo.

 

[Al ears]

Nah mate,hifi is 99% foo.

And the other 1%??

 

[Electro]

It all depends on whether the pre amp and monoblocks are fully balanced or not .

If they are a fully balanced design then in my opinion it would be best to have the monoblocks next to the speakers with the shortest possible speaker cable and then use longer balanced interconnects to connect them to the preamp .

If they are not a fully balanced design then I would do the opposite and have the monoblocks as near as possible the the pre amp with short RCA interconnects and longer speaker cables .

Depending on the type and design of the equipment doing this can make a worthwhile difference for better or worse but experimentation is always the key .

 

[floyd droid]

Nah mate,hifi is 99% foo.

And the other 1%??

Thats the hifi :wave:

 

[Al ears]

Nah mate,hifi is 99% foo.

And the other 1%??

Thats the hifi :wave:

Gotcha!:shifty:

 

[floyd droid]

Lol.

 

[floyd droid]

On a serious note Al. They probably set the monos up as you have seen for a couple of reasons. Small dem rooms and also saves carrying five mile of cable around. Or just a sales image. Look how lovely our 6 quintillion quid amp and speakers look side by side ,dunno really , your guess is a s good as mine.

 

[Al ears]

On a serious note Al. They probably set the monos up as you have seen for a couple of reasons. Small dem rooms and also saves carrying five mile of cable around. Or just a sales image. Look how lovely our 6 quintillion quid amp and speakers look side by side ,dunno really , your guess is a s good as mine.

Yes. I guess if you put the monoblocks any closer you might as well just build them into the speakers!

Did I just type that?? Well wash my mouth out!

 

[CnoEvil]

Did I just type that?? Well wash my mouth out!

Well, at least you shouldn't have to wash your Ear out, as it looks pretty clean.

 

[Al ears]

They always look like that straight after I've removed the megaphone.

 

[Electro]

Yes. I guess if you put the monoblocks any closer you might as well just build them into the speakers!

Did I just type that?? Well wash my mouth out!

Or buy active speakers :shifty: :O

 

[floyd droid]

Yes. I guess if you put the monoblocks any closer you might as well just build them into the speakers!

Did I just type that?? Well wash my mouth out!

Ha ha. That would make mine an 80k lift each. 'gimme a lift with this speaker love'

You little tinker Al.

 

[Al ears]

Now we don't want to be going down that route d'you hear! >)

 

[mocenigo]

I am comptemplating replacing my integrated power amp with a pair of monoblocks. In your opinion is it better to place these close to the preamp ie short interconnects and longer speaker cables or is it better to place them next to speakers with short speaker cables and longer interconnects? Does it make any difference I wonder? Any thoughts guys? (or girls for that matter).

If the connections between pre and power amps are balanced, then place the monos as close as possible to the speakers with short runs of speaker cables, and use longer balanced runs from pre to each mono.

Contemplate using a thick shielded speaker cable, with each shielding connected to the chassis of the monoblock.

Roberto

 

[Al ears]

I am comptemplating replacing my integrated power amp with a pair of monoblocks. In your opinion is it better to place these close to the preamp ie short interconnects and longer speaker cables or is it better to place them next to speakers with short speaker cables and longer interconnects? Does it make any difference I wonder? Any thoughts guys? (or girls for that matter).

If the connections between pre and power amps are balanced, then place the monos as close as possible to the speakers with short runs of speaker cables, and use longer balanced runs from pre to each mono.

Contemplate using a thick shielded speaker cable, with each shielding connected to the chassis of the monoblock.

Roberto

Many thanks on revisiting my three year old post Roberto.

In the end I didn't go for monoblocks as was made a very good offer on a stereo power amp.

I do appreciate your reply however.

 

[Vladimir]

I am comptemplating replacing my integrated power amp with a pair of monoblocks. In your opinion is it better to place these close to the preamp ie short interconnects and longer speaker cables or is it better to place them next to speakers with short speaker cables and longer interconnects? Does it make any difference I wonder? Any thoughts guys? (or girls for that matter).

If the connections between pre and power amps are balanced, then place the monos as close as possible to the speakers with short runs of speaker cables, and use longer balanced runs from pre to each mono.

Contemplate using a thick shielded speaker cable, with each shielding connected to the chassis of the monoblock.

Roberto

Many thanks on revisiting my three year old post Roberto.

In the end I didn't go for monoblocks as was made a very good offer on a stereo power amp.

I do appreciate your reply however.

Good advice by Roberto.

At least untill you begin soldering your broken CDP and realize the copper traces are cooking foil thin. *nea*