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Same watts at 8 and 4 ohms?

I'm in the market for an integrated amp and trying to sort through tech specs. My understanding of the tech aspects of hi-fi gear is limited. Looking for some clarity in regard to watts-per-channel specs.

It is my understanding that wpc at 4 ohms is typically 1.5x -2x the wpc at 8 ohms.

But I'm seeing a number of respectable mid-fi integrateds with the same wpc for both 8 and 4 ohms. The NAD 388 is one and I think this is true for several of the Cambridge Audio units at a similar price point ($1500-$2000).

The NAD features make a point of saying " 4-ohm stable for use with a wide range of speakers". 

Would appreciate any insight to what these specs mean and what 4 ohm stable really means to me. My speakers are 4 ohm speakers.

Thanks,

George
n80
n80 OP
2,154 posts
 
I see the Parasound Halo 2.1 here on Audiogon for around $1700. Will consider it. It isn't small or compact but no larger than the NAD.

twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,360 posts
 
Creek Evolution 100A.  About as self-effacing as they come.
erik_squires
17,552 posts
 
Hi @dsper
My main speakers are Thiel CS5’s and we have talked on other threads about how they are a difficult load as they dip close to 2 ohms and 82 dbl sensitivity. There has also been associated discussion about how more power can mean more noise.

In this regards, Pass’ point that the signal to noise in the first watt matters more than the 200th watt, and that high power amps skew their S/N ratings if measured only at full power is true. However it is not universally true that a bigger amp will have more noise at 1 watt.

Just looked at the CS5 impedance curve. Wow.

https://www.stereophile.com/content/thiel-cs5-loudspeaker-measurements-0
You definitely want a beefy solid state amp. It doesn’t have to have a lot of power, but doubling power from 8 to 4 to 2 Ohms will be recommended or the speaker will sound like the impedance curve.

One brand you may not have thought of is Sander’s Sound. Their ESL and Magtech amps are the best there is when it comes to this particular feature.


Best,
E
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Millercarbon, are your Talons for sale?

The Talons went in a heartbeat. Well its hard for people to believe. They look at my system and it doesn’t look all that special. https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8367 In fact most of what’s going on is far from obvious. Even when like Michael came over and I explained everything. Even like the guy who bought the Talons. Warned him before playing anything there is a lot going on they will not sound like this when you get them home. Doesn’t matter. Dude heard one song, he was sold. Never even tried to talk me down. And I had em priced way high to allow for that.

I know this is hard for people to believe but the truth is its the mostly invisible tweaks that make this system punch way above its weight. Way above.

Then on top of that he was so impressed he wound up buying cables and amp, some old gear I had been sitting on forever not even trying to sell. Altogether he darn near paid for the Moabs. Only downside was this all sold so fast I wound up with no music at all for almost two whole months!

Next time I will be waiting for the Raven before selling the Melody!
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
n80 OP
I see the Parasound Halo 2.1 here on Audiogon for around $1700. Will consider it. It isn’t small or compact but no larger than the NAD
.
John Curl design, it’ll be better than the Nad. Has ESS dac in it, also has phono stage if you ever need it, sub outputs and an active xover, HT bypass, it’s the Swiss Army knife of integrateds

TMR Audio, good reputable retailer. They have make an offer, offer $1500?

The legendary Parasound John Curl Halo JC1 monoblocks can drive anything, even Wilson Alexia without breaking a sweat. These JC Halo Hint and Hint 6 integrated, are from the same stable as the JC1 monoblocks.

Cheers George
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