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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 ozzy62

ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,287 posts
 

As long as you aren’t straining or clipping the amp, it makes no difference where the volume knob ends up. As a matter of fact, you want to be using the least amount of attenuation for best sonics.

Many people conflate gain and power. You could buy a different amp with even less power that gets you to the same volume level at 50% of the range. If you can get to the level you want with your current amp by using most of the 30% of the volume control you have left, you don’t need a different amp.

 

You are worrying about something that shouldn’t be worried about.

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