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If all (properly designed) amps sound the same, how do I decide which
amp to buy?

Is it just a case of choosing one with sufficient power output and how
do I determine this?

[Ethan Winer]

Is it just a case of choosing one with sufficient power output

Yes.

and how do I determine this?

Maximum power capacity is one of the specs of your loudspeakers. So if your
speakers can handle 100 watts each, buy an amp with 100 watts per channel.

--Ethan

[Eeyore]

Ethan Winer wrote:

Is it just a case of choosing one with sufficient power output

Yes.

and how do I determine this?

Maximum power capacity is one of the specs of your loudspeakers. So if your
speakers can handle 100 watts each, buy an amp with 100 watts per channel.

That completely overlooks the 'dynamics' of music.

Unless you're going to be driving the amp into clipping at parties, it's
advisable to have a higher rated power amplifier than the (continuous rating
such as AES) of the speaker by a factor of easily 2 or maybe 3 times for home
use.

But it all depemds on the dynamic range of the material you play. Orchestral
and heavy metal are very different ! JBL somewhere have an application note on
how you can damage a speaker by using an UNDER-rated amplifier too.

It's far from that straightforward.

Graham

[Eeyore]

wrote:

If all (properly designed) amps sound the same

Questionable from the start depending on your definintion of 'properly
designed' !

Graham

[Ethan Winer]

Unless you're going to be driving the amp into clipping at parties, it's
advisable to have a higher rated power amplifier than the (continuous
rating such as AES) of the speaker by a factor of easily 2 or maybe 3
times for home use.

Good point, you are correct. An amp with two to three times more power than
the speaker's continuous capability is a good choice.

[Mr.T]

"Ethan Winer" ethanw at ethanwiner dot com wrote in message
...
Unless you're going to be driving the amp into clipping at parties, it's
advisable to have a higher rated power amplifier than the (continuous
rating such as AES) of the speaker by a factor of easily 2 or maybe 3
times for home use.

Good point, you are correct. An amp with two to three times more power
than
the speaker's continuous capability is a good choice.

Sure, but most speakers are not rated for continuous power handling, rather
some notional "music power" in many cases.
(and that's often a better guide to the recommended amplifier power than the
speakers ability to handle it, even short term)
Frankly the actual amplifier power required is just as, if not more
dependant on speaker *efficiency* in any case.

MrT.

[Eeyore]

"Mr.T" wrote:

"Ethan Winer" ethanw at ethanwiner dot com wrote

Unless you're going to be driving the amp into clipping at parties, it's
advisable to have a higher rated power amplifier than the (continuous
rating such as AES) of the speaker by a factor of easily 2 or maybe 3
times for home use.

Good point, you are correct. An amp with two to three times more power
than the speaker's continuous capability is a good choice.

Sure, but most speakers are not rated for continuous power handling,

That's the manufacturer's fault. There is an AES (Audio Engineering Society)
standard. It's almost universally used in the pro-audio and serious audio world.



rather some notional "music power" in many cases.

Which is totally meaningless and without definition.


(and that's often a better guide to the recommended amplifier power than the
speakers ability to handle it, even short term)

It's crap.


Frankly the actual amplifier power required is just as, if not more
dependant on speaker *efficiency* in any case.

Well that's very true and so few people know that.

Also, better manufacturers often suggest a range of compatible amplifier powers.
If this data (or AES) isn't present you're probably looking at 'low rent'
speakers you oughtn't to buy anyway.

Graham