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What actually determines volume power? Is it watts?

I have a Yamaha AS-3200 amp. It sounds beautiful and has a really good open sound. The problem is I like my music loud since I live alone and typically I have the volume 70% and with some recordings it is not high enough. I need a amp that has more power/volume.

The AS-3200 is 200 watts at 8 ohms. I see many amps, even much more expensive ones (like the Yamaha M-5000), are also at around 200 watts per a channel at 8 ohms. I am going by 8 ohms for my speakers and also the worse case scenarios. Does this mean if I had a more expensive class AB amp like the M-5000 I would still be listening at 70% volume and getting the same power/loudness? If not, then what actually determines the volume power if not watts?

dman777

Showing 1 response by mashif

mashif
299 posts
 

The Yamaha is an integrated amp. So the volume control follows the preamp section gain structure. If that unit allows the use of an external preamp with more gain, the volume knob won't have to be turned up as much, and the power amp section will respond to the gain of the preamp. 

My tube preamp has much more gain than my SS. The volume heard when the tube preamp is at 11 o'clock is equal to the SS volume at 1 o'clock.

So if possible, try an external preamp with more gain and you won't have to turn the volume control up as much. 

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