Is more amp power always better...?


Hello.  

Asking advice on what power Amp/int amp I should buy for my room size...

I have a small listening room.  11' x 10'. I have 89db speaker sensitivity  I am going to buy a solid state amp.   

For best audio quality (ignoring all other factors), my question is:  

Do folks advise "Buy as much watts per channel as you can afford"?  -OR- "Buy enough watts for the room" as more watts in reserve do not mean better quality audio?

Put another way: are more watts in reserve better for audio quality, even if amp does not use this power?  

Thank you...hope this was clear.  

dunkin

Showing 1 response by jji666

89db speakers can use a fair amount of power. How many watts depends on the type of amp you want.  My rule of thumb is, as an echo to a few posts above, a good amp should be able to double wattage between going from 8 to 4 ohms. This helps with reserves of power for transients.  Speakers have big magnets to move. 

This applies mostly to solid state A-B amps, which is mostly what I have had.  Tube amps are a completely different conversation. 

Some manufacturers under-report 8 ohm watts per channel so that they can show it doubling at 4. But get as close as you can, as well as the sound you like.