2 monoblocks I believe is preferrable because each channel gets it's own power supply, and a sudden drain on one channel won't effect the other by modulating the power supply. Of course, this is less of an issue when playing typical program material that has a lot of common signal between the channels. There is also less chance of crosstalk with 2 seperate amps.

The only downside I can think of is 2 mono amps might cost more.

[This message has been edited by soundhound (edited November 26, 2002).]

The two RCAs might be for some type of feed through of the signal....

[This message has been edited by soundhound (edited November 26, 2002).]

One advantage of a two channel is actually related to the disadvantage - a big mono signal may be able to 'steal' some capacity from the other channel (the shared supply allocated to the other channel, really) but in many cases the transformer has multiple taps and the PS for each channel is independent. It really depends on the designer and design constraints.

The mono amp is more modular for sure. Charlie, king of the obvious.

Owl, I know he was yanking my chain, I am not that easily provoked,I'm just yankin' his...Gives something to do while we work....

Well I got a response back from Mike at the Outlaws,and it seems like I am going to be corrected,But the truth is on the DEMO,so I made my reservetion,and here is a copy of the response i recieved:Subj: Outlaw Audio
Date: 11/27/2002 2:30:53 PM US Mountain Standard Time
From: customerservice@outlawaudio.com
To: Eurorom2001@aol.com
Sent from the Internet (Details)



Hello,

Thanks for contacting the Outlaws!

The damping factor I sent you earlier was the specification that was
provided to me by our engineers. We saw your comments about an amplifier
with a damping factor 80 not being able to control a woofer properly. Quite
frankly this is just not the case. After your comments we noticed that
SoundHound responded and presented a URL of an article. He did not include
the full article. The full article can be found at the following URL:

http://www.studio-systems.com/audiofeatures/novdec99/dampingFactor/damp01.htm

This article describes what damping factors are all about and we hope that
you've had the opportunity to read it. Especially the conclusions in the
article. This amplifier has been tested extensively on a wide variety of
full range speakers. In particular, it has been tested on passive
subwoofers. There never has been nor would there ever be a problem
controlling any kind of woofer. For years there has been a tremendous
amount of misinformation about this specification and what it truly means.
Specsmanship abounds in our industry, quite frankly your pronouncement in
the Saloon that this amplifier would not control a woofer is just plain
wrong. After reading the article that we have referred you to, we might
suggest that you purchase a pair in evaluation and compare it to what you
already own. You will find out for yourself that the conclusions in the
article about damping factor and the performance in the Model 200 are
exactly consistent. There is no problem.

Please feel free to contact me with any further questions or requests.

Thanks and Regards,

Mike

lier.

So if the damping factor of the model 200 is 80, then it must not have the same ckt topology as the 755/770 or the manual for my 755 is incorrect when it says the damping factor is 850. Could the Outlaws clarify. Thanks...

And I got sucked in...

My marantz MA500's have two RCA jacks. One is for uninverted polarity and the other inverts polarity. You can use either depending on how you want the signal delivered.You can also run these amps in bridged mode and you would connect a signal cable between the inverted input of one amp and the normal input of the second amp. Perhaps the Model 200 operates similarly.

Here we go again. Get on a list and wait to essentially be Beta testers for a product that you have very little info on. They haven't told us very much about this amp. It could be a digital amp. PS Audio's HCA-2 has received some very good reviews but it doesn't seem to be selling well ie. there's quite a number of them for sale(used and new) on Audiogon with discounted prices on this new product. PS Audio has an excellent reputation. I read the aritcle about Damping and it seems contrary to another long article I read in the past on Damping which gave a formula to figure the damping you needed in your individual system. I got the article either here or at the "Spot".
It's hard to imagine how this thing would handle the heat produced if it was AB?? If they designed this to add channels to a home theater then it wouldn't matter as much. But using it in a stereo set-up would require it to have a bit of quality to it.

One person commented on 24 bit 192mhz not having much meaning. I have the 24/192 upsampler board on my cd player and when I installed it, it made such a big difference that I had to get used to my stereo set-up all over again. It was so different that I wasn't sure I liked it. I do now - trememdous sound stage.
Then what are you going to do when the hiss,hum and other noise issues come up?? I want a lot more tech info about the amp before I even go for a trial.

Steve:

I may only be a dog, but what information are you looking for that wasn't provided? The whole damping factor thing is the result of information that WAS provided. All the specs WERE provided. Again, I'm only a dog, but it seems to me that one has to presume it is a good, old fashioned, analog amp, as that is the rule these days. Digital amps are the exception, and if it WERE digital (which I'm guessing it is NOT), you'd have to believe that they would be up front in saying so.

I did I miss something, or are the Outlaws twisting your arm to buy this, or are people buying the products of their own free will?

Other products not withstanding, the Outlaws' track record on amps has been superlative, so I have no reason to doubt the quality of the Model 200.

But what do I know, I'm only a dog.

ARF ARF, says Iggy.

But what do I know,

[This message has been edited by Iggy The Dog (edited November 30, 2002).]