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 knotscott

My advice is not to focus exclusively on the watts. A lot of mediocre amps are made to meet a big spec, but not necessarily play well in a system. A better amp and bigger amp aren't necessarily the same thing. All watts are not created equal. You will want an amp that sounds great to you....to do that you’ll need enough clean power to play to the levels you like in your room with your speakers, and that’s always a variable.

I’ve gone the gamut of a big Hafler amp at 255wpc down to a smallish tube amp @ 17wpc triode (on average sensitvity speakers in a large space). I do have a subwoofer, but the main speakers play plenty loud with the small amps, and sound wonderful doing it.

All things being equal, having some power in reserve is a good thing, but power is a poor indicator of how it’ll sound to you. Aim for quality watts with a sufficient power supply and circuit that’ll overcome the obstacles your system poses, hopefully within budget. (used can help cut premium costs down)