Power . How much do we need...

[FrantzM]

Hi

There has been an interesting discussion about the amount of power required for a given system. I am on the side of it's never enough. I would say that I remember that back in the days the very powerful amplifier were found by others and myself to be lacking ins , well .. finesse and the ultimate resolving power... I think this has changed, I have heard very powerful amplifier, that to me were as delicate when the music demanded it as any medium or even low power ones. Both tubes and SS and even Class-D ...

I know some here, Steve in particular have gotten good results with low power... While I appreciated these results, I would have gone for more power in those very same systems ... Granted there is a limit: a 95 dB speaker may not require a 1000 watts amp... But we have to keep in mind that our perceptions are quasi-logarithmic. from a 100 watts to a 1000 watts is a tenfold increase arithmetically .. but it is about a 10 db increase in SPL ... for a given speaker ... When w quietly agree that our usual media (CD, Hi-Def, Tape or even LP) can easily reproduce 40 dB ... You can do the math and see that more is usually better unless you're dealing with 100 dB plus speakers ...

What do you think people ..???

[Steve Williams]

I am very happy with my lowly 32 watts in my system. Prior to this I used Krell 750 Mcx and then ARC Reference 600 Mk lll before switching to SET amps. Initially I used the Lamm ML 2.1, an 18 wpc amp before settling on my present Lamm ML 3 Signature amps.

I have never been able to make these amps clip at very high SPL. Their midrange is secondary to no other amp I have ever owned or heard. Coupled with a pair of Gotham subs in which each has a 3800 wpc amp I am very happy.

I do understand your comments Frantz. If I were to change amps to SS, for the money I would consider the Bryston 28BSST

http://bryston.com/products/power_amps/28BSST-2.html

[caesar]

I am very happy with my lowly 32 watts in my system. Prior to this I used Krell 750 Mcx and then ARC Reference 600 Mk lll before switching to SET amps. Initially I used the Lamm ML 2.1, an 18 wpc amp before settling on my present Lamm ML 3 Signature amps.

I have never been able to make these amps clip at very high SPL. Their midrange is secondary to no other amp I have ever owned or heard. Coupled with a pair of Gotham subs in which each has a 3800 wpc amp I am very happy.

I do understand your comments Frantz. If I were to change amps to SS, for the money I would consider the Bryston 28BSST

http://bryston.com/products/power_amps/28BSST-2.html

Steve, I always thought that you made the most interesting choice with Lamm. Fremer also owns Wilsons, but not as good as yours. Occasionally reading Fremer's reviews of amps with his Wilsons, he always contrasts the power gap between the high powered Musical Fidelity amps he owns (1000 wpc?) and something with lower power, such as the "not-underpowered" VTL 450's. According to him, even on high efficiency speakers, the gap is evident.

Ultimately, I think it's quite personal. Some of us like the grip of the big SS on the speaker, which increases dynamics. Some of us like the magical midrange of lower powered tubes. Personally, I like both and have both tubes and SS - and swap them out depending on musical choice and mood. Granted, I have never heard your system, so you may have the best of both worlds.

Our of curiosity, have your tastes changed through the years?

[Steve Williams]

Not sure whether my tastes have changed as I did love the muscle of my Krell 750 Mcx's as well as the ARC Ref 600 Mk lll. Power abounded with in your gut bass slam.

Then I discovered SET. I have read comments here re people's love or lack thereof of SET amps. All I can say is that IMHO no SS amp at any power can reproduce mid range like an SET and having now the Lamm ML3 Signature, for me the buck stops here because as I have said before there is a certain magic with Lamm gear and Wilson speakers

Just my $0.02 and YMMV

[flez007]

I have had from 3 to 300 Watts per channel in class A, SET, AB, B- (Naim) and gainclones, and I adhere to the idea of synergy in the system, a great SET class A might not be the best match for an 88dB sensitIvity speaker design for example. Saying that, a more powerfull amp is more versatile as for different speaker options out there.

[Steve Williams]

a great SET class A might not be the best match for an 88dB sensitIvity speaker design for example.

We would all agree that SET amps are indeed limited by the efficiency of the speakers used

[MylesBAstor]

Depends on a slew of factors including room size, speakers, efficiency (and maybe more importantly impedance curve), type of music listened to, listening levels, etc. I'd go out on a limb and say that HP could never live with Steve's amps

[mep]

There is something very reassuring about having a powerful amp that sounds great, even if on a subconscious level. It’s nice to know that even if you turn the volume up to “11” that you won’t run out of amp and start clipping. I always say that you separate the men from the boys when you turn the volume up.

[MylesBAstor]

There is something very reassuring about having a powerful amp that sounds great, even if on a subconscious level. It’s nice to know that even if you turn the volume up to “11” that you won’t run out of amp and start clipping. I always say that you separate the men from the boys when you turn the volume up.

Are you now listening at 150 db with your new Krell amps?

[mep]

Are you now listening at 150 db with your new Krell amps?

Not quite. That would be Basspig territory.