A little deeper on amp power please....


If somebody could elaborate on exactly how a higher watt amp will improve the sound of speakers (lower sensitivity speakers that “need” power).  More specifically, I get that when the nature of the recording and the volume setting demand an immediate spike in power, an amp that delivers the spike will perform better than one that does not.  But when I used to have an amp with output meters, it would be in single digits for most normal listening, and I don’t recall what a spike would have been - I want to say 15 or 20 watts.  What I am scratching at is whether there is something more to power, i.e. the notion that the effortless power of, say, a 300 watt amp would somehow be an improvement over an otherwise similar 75 watt amp…even if a spike is just 20 watts.  Hope the question make sense.

mathiasmingus

Showing 1 response by knotscott

I owned a well regarded 255wpc powerhouse Hafler DH500 in 1986. My 2023 amps are ~ 17 wpc in triode, 30wpc ultalinear. Granted I don’t try to play as loud as I used to, but the system sure sounds better now.

More power doesn’t equate directly to better sound, unless the amp is straining to produce the needed power. Lower powered amps can sound abso-freaking-lutely amazing...,within their power range. Sound quality really boils down to the given circuitry of an amp, and it’s ability to power a given speaker at the desired volume.

And I do believe there’s an audible difference in the sound of different "well designed" amps, even at the lower volume ranges. If you don’t hear differences, start over, and try a different tact (if you’re interested in that sort of thing)....otherwise, enjoy the music. 😎