Probably the first specification I will look into, is the Watts/channel in 8/4/2 Ohms to validate if power doubles when impedance goes down by half. This will give you a good indication that the amp will not suffer when the speaker impedance varies at different frequencies.
Second spec would be the power transformer kVA specification and total Microfarads of power supply filter capacitors. Again the bigger, the better since it provides an indication of the theorical power handling capability and reserve the amp will have under peak power musical crescendo.
Signal-to-noise ratio would be the last. The higher the figure, better the amp will reproduce clearly low-level details that could hang down near the amp noise floor.
These 3 specifications are nice to have to kind of help you build a mental picture of the seriousness of the amp design especially if you are running innefficient speakers that sound really great.
But at the end, it will be my ears who will prevail regarding the final purchase decision. I will never purchase an amp with excellent specifications which sounds average. I will always go for the best sounding amp with my speakers, regardless of specifications.
Second spec would be the power transformer kVA specification and total Microfarads of power supply filter capacitors. Again the bigger, the better since it provides an indication of the theorical power handling capability and reserve the amp will have under peak power musical crescendo.
Signal-to-noise ratio would be the last. The higher the figure, better the amp will reproduce clearly low-level details that could hang down near the amp noise floor.
These 3 specifications are nice to have to kind of help you build a mental picture of the seriousness of the amp design especially if you are running innefficient speakers that sound really great.
But at the end, it will be my ears who will prevail regarding the final purchase decision. I will never purchase an amp with excellent specifications which sounds average. I will always go for the best sounding amp with my speakers, regardless of specifications.