Wiring of entry level stereo power amp as Monoblock

[Mayank Shah]

Hello, It's a generic question and may not be applicable to all equipment, but generally speaking, can a low power stereo power amp be wired/modded to be used as a monoblock?

The power amp in question is the Audiolab M-PWR

If it can be wired/modded as a monoblock then how so? Thanks in advance. Good Day.

 

[jls001]

Mono blocks means there will be two transformers (one for each channel), two power supply boards (one for each channel), and obviously two amplifier boards. They can share the same chassis and it will be called a dual mono or be housed in two separate chassis and be known as true monos.

Most likely your power amp contains two amplifier boards that likely share a single PSU and single transformer.

In my opinion, it is an involved and costly modification (you'll have to junk current PSU and transformer and very likely the cabinet and buy two PSUs, two transformers, and one larger cabinet or two smaller cabinets). And the sonic gains, if any, will not justify the trouble and expenses. Buying two transformers is easy but finding a suitable PSU is tougher.

 

[bornfi]

I am sure this must have been considered but if it turns out to be too complicated or impossible, you can always use two such amps in biwireable mode provide your speakers support bi-wiring.

 

[Hiten]

Are you saying you want to combine two channels to get more power output ? It is called bridgeable amplifier. It requires ic/transistor that can handle/supply that much power. The picture you posted doesn't seem to be a bridgeable amplifier.
Regards.

 

[MaSh]

Hello, It's a generic question and may not be applicable to all equipment, but generally speaking, can a low power stereo power amp be wired/modded to be used as a monoblock?

The power amp in question is the Audiolab M-PWR

If it can be wired/modded as a monoblock then how so? Thanks in advance. Good Day.

This particular amp cannot be used as a Mono Block in its current factory state. if Modifying, then what kind of modification do you have in mind? Even if you go ahead with those, the reliability amongst other things will take a big hit. It is better to buy a power amp from Crown, Emotiva or even a Car amp which are designed to be used as mono/bridgeable amps.

MaSh

 

[Kannan]

Hello, It's a generic question and may not be applicable to all equipment, but generally speaking, can a low power stereo power amp be wired/modded to be used as a monoblock?
The power amp in question is the Audiolab M-PWR
If it can be wired/modded as a monoblock then how so? Thanks in advance. Good Day.

If you just want to use it as a mono..then you can. Just use one input and the corresponding speaker output.
Some stereo amps can be bridged into a mono amp for more power but usually at a bit higher THD. IN such cases only one of the designated inputs will be used and the output will usually be a designated terminal from each speaker output marked for bridged power.
In such cases you will have to be careful. In bridged mode, check for the lowest impedance speaker it can drive, will be mentioned in the manual.

Regarding the audiolab amp listed by you, I do not see the option for bridging by default. But a board mod could be available,
Check with an experienced technician.

 

[nalin]

What you need is a bridging adapter like http://sound.whsites.net/project14.htm?

As mentioned in the earlier post, please check the lowest impedance value speaker that it can drive.
Since the amp is not designed to be a bridgeable amp, i suggest you try to bi amp you speakers, rather than trying to make your stereo amp into a monoblock.

What preamp and speakers do you use?

 

[Mayank Shah]

Thanks for all the replies. Looks like its not worth to do all that, especially for the equipment in question as it's not designed by default. Bi-amping is the way to go.