I’m going to channel Ralph @atmasphere here because what I learned from him is that you don’t want your amplifier working toward the upper range of its capability. I assume that’s true of both tubed and solid state amps. Am I wrong on this Ralph?
A little deeper on amp power please....
If somebody could elaborate on exactly how a higher watt amp will improve the sound of speakers (lower sensitivity speakers that “need” power). More specifically, I get that when the nature of the recording and the volume setting demand an immediate spike in power, an amp that delivers the spike will perform better than one that does not. But when I used to have an amp with output meters, it would be in single digits for most normal listening, and I don’t recall what a spike would have been - I want to say 15 or 20 watts. What I am scratching at is whether there is something more to power, i.e. the notion that the effortless power of, say, a 300 watt amp would somehow be an improvement over an otherwise similar 75 watt amp…even if a spike is just 20 watts. Hope the question make sense.
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@soix Got it in one 😁 SETs are where this is most important- they only have about 20% usable power out of whatever they are rated for. You really don't want any amp to be asked for more than about 50% of full power even on peaks. The harder you work any amplifier, the more distortion you're going to get. That also means that the load for the amp should be benevolent rather than having odd phase angles in the crossover, low impedance or the like that tax amp's capacity. The more distortion, the less musical, since that distortion is likely to be the kind that the ear hears easily! |
I have always found the sound from any given pair of speakers to be smoother (less grainy and more natural) when driven with larger power amps, regardless of listening level. This impression was less pronounced with tube equipment than SS gear, due to the "soft clipping" nature of tubes and their inclination toward even-order harmonics, but still apparent. |
I owned a well regarded 255wpc powerhouse Hafler DH500 in 1986. My 2023 amps are ~ 17 wpc in triode, 30wpc ultalinear. Granted I don’t try to play as loud as I used to, but the system sure sounds better now. More power doesn’t equate directly to better sound, unless the amp is straining to produce the needed power. Lower powered amps can sound abso-freaking-lutely amazing...,within their power range. Sound quality really boils down to the given circuitry of an amp, and it’s ability to power a given speaker at the desired volume. And I do believe there’s an audible difference in the sound of different "well designed" amps, even at the lower volume ranges. If you don’t hear differences, start over, and try a different tact (if you’re interested in that sort of thing)....otherwise, enjoy the music. 😎 |
I happened to be using 2a3 monoblocks when I bought Klipsch Jubilees and was selling my KHorns. The buyers wife wanted to hear vintage rock on the Jubes which I obliged. She asked for “louder, louder” when at some point I indicated that’s all there is. Even with speakers rated at 105db 2-3 watts can be woefully inadequate when asked to do too much. Normal listening was divine, rockin’ the house was less than spectacular. |
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