Been thinking about amp power for a while now.
Diy builder of amps, so I spend time thinking about this.
The issue of bigger power amps is more about the power supply than the number of gain devices at the output stage I think.
Unless you are driving inefficient speakers to ear shattering volume in a huge space, I wonder how high on the watt side you actually go. I wonder how much of the dynamics are managed by power supply as opposed to number of gain devices.
Built a 30W class a amp with a 500va transformer, and 192k uF in storage.
That amp drives my 83db efficient speakers with much better control and dynamics than my 100w Adcom. Apples and oranges, I know, but it speaks to what power in an amp is important. All of it matters, but if given a choice, I would choose lower power, bigger power supply, than give versa. The 30w amp never feels like it’s straining.
Im also thinking, you want to get into the power band of an amp a bit for the speaker’s sensitivity and how loud you listen. Don’t want to over drive the amp, but you want to get into the linear part of the amps power band.
Curious what others have experienced.
