2. amps-preamps
  3. 170180-106113

what's going on with specs?

I'm having a hard time buying a power amp. I'm in the 5-10k range and whae I'm finding are things like PS Audio BHK 250. Specs show 250@8ohms and 500@4ohms. Then the Parasound JC5 shows 400@8ohms and 600@4ohms. Looks like PS Audio doubles at 4 ohms which makes me think it's a stronger amp until I notice the PS Audio spec is at 1 kilohertz and the Parasound measures 20 to 20 kilohertz. That is very confusing and I don't understand why PS Audio doesn't give full power measurements. Anyone with knowledge of these two brands or others. I have the Elac Vela 409s to drive. 
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Showing 3 responses by mrklas

mrklas
441 posts
 
@unsound specs matter until they don't

Audio research has stereo watt amplifiers rated at 75-85 watts that can deliver sound quality, quality and dynamics comparable to may amplifiers rated much higher.    
mrklas
441 posts
 
Specs are interesting.

I heard two stereo amps from different with different wattage ratings - one 450 watts  per channel and the other 250 watts per channel.

Conducting a listening test and using my iPhone to keep the volume at 80db there was two surprises
1. I expected the larger wattage am to have more dynamic impact - it didn't
2.  The volume number on the preamp was about 10 units higher on the 450 watt amp (in comparison to the 250 watt amp).

The good news is then the only thing that matters is how it sounds (and I guess the price might matter).
mrklas
441 posts
 
@unsound are we in violent agreement?
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