The actual amount of power being used is much smaller than you might think if your speakers are relatively efficient. Having reserve power for gigantic crescendos or that DJ Bass thing the kids like is fine, but I think the general quality and specific tone generated by an amp is where the mojo is, and buying extra watts can be a waste. I have a friend who owns a pair of mondo Pass Labs amps and damn if that V.U. needle ever moves. Great amps anyway…in a interview with Nelson Pass it was noted that during listening to one of his First Watt things that was hooked up to some sort of output metering device, the interviewer noted the amp barely did more than a few watts at fairly loud levels. I like that sort of thing.
Too Much Power?
I have a question that relates to the maximum power output of new Bel Canto Ref 600M monoblocks, which I am considering to replace the Audio Research 150.2 SS amp I am currently using in my main system. (Yes I am another of the "lunatic fringe" who enjoys the results of good quality Class D.)
The Ref 600Ms are based on a Hypex Ncore module, and are stated to produce a maximum power output each of 300W into 8 ohms. My question is whether this can prove to be a problem in powering my Focal Alto Utopia Be speakers, which are stated to have a "maximum" power handling capacity of 250W each (their nominal impedance being 8 ohms).
I listen to mostly classical instrumental and vocal music and other acoustic instrumental music, and do not listen at particularly loud levels: the ARC 150.2 is rated at 150W per channel into 8 ohms and it has never in 10 years appeared to go even close to its limits; I rarely if ever turn up the volume control on my ARC LS-25 past the 11:00 o'clock position.
Should I be concerned about the Bel Cantos damaging the Utopias, given the speakers' 250W per channel maximum capacity and the 300W per channel output potential of these amps? The Be tweeter and other components of these speakers can be very expensive to have to repair, not to mention the inconvenience and aggravation which I really do not need.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts or advice on this.