Why has amplifier power become a big issue

As far as I know it's just trendy. It's like having the car that goes 400MPH though you drive it to work and the store.

It's also pretty wasteful unless you are using a high-efficiency amplifier.

Some speakers have been deliberately "juiced" to provide very low impedances. This makes them more critical of the amplifier, and audiophiles, lord knows why, think the speaker that only takes 1 of 3 amplifiers must be better and more exclusive. If you have one of these, then you definitely will need an amp with current to spare.

Is it worth listening to a big bad amplifier? Sure. However I would never let them talk you into upgrading if you don't hear the difference in your system.

Best,


Erik

Looking at the measurements here:

http://www.stereophile.com/content/vandersteen-2ce-signature-ii-loudspeaker-measurements

I'd say that's a pretty amplifier friendly speaker. The impedance dropping into the deep bass may be helped by a stiff amp though nothing outrageous. I would imagine a number of good small amps would drive it very well such as the Parasound Halo A23. 125W/Ch and good with 4 Ohms.

Based on the measurements, this speaker by the way seems to have an impedance compensation network specifically to make it easy to drive even with modest powered tube amps.