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High power amp, does it matter at low volumes?

Hi, I am powering a pair of B&W 802 D2 speakers, and wonder about high wattage amps.

I have read that you need high power ratings, and preferably something the 'doubles down', ie 300 wpc at 8 ohms, 600 at 4 ohms etc.

Since most of the time I listen to my music at low volumes, nowhere near 1/2 power ( usually 17-20 on my preamp out of a possible 80 ), would I benefit from buying a more powerful amp?

I am using a ML 522H ( home theatre amp ) with 300 wpc at 8 ohms, unrated for anything lower.

To summarize the question, is there an advantage to buying an amp that A) is higher powered ( given my low volume listening levels) and B) that doubles down into 4 or even 2 ohms ( again, given my low volume listening levels ).

Thanks in advance, and looking forward to suggested amps as well. 

 

 

robeffy
invalid
1,378 posts
 

@carlosezarate  Damping factor has little to do with the performance of an amplifier.  

carlosezarate's avatar
carlosezarate
5 posts
 

Please clarify. Your statement does not do so.

invalid
1,378 posts
 

@carlosezarate  the speaker cables, the crossover, the wiring inside the speaker and the voice coils will swamp the output impedance of the amplifier by far.

steve59's avatar
steve59
1,984 posts
 

The Mc611's did create some dynamics at low volumes with my kef blades.

mrdecibel
3,307 posts
 

Based on my listening wants, needs and desires, this amplifier will need to be dc coupled at the output, have a relatively high damping factor, biased to run in class A up to about 20 wpc, and a hefty power supply, as these design implementations sound best to me. If it is an older amp, many were designed using a hot-wired "lamp cord" power cord (non IEC inlet). Changing it out for a 12 or 10 gauge "significantly" allows the amplifier to strut its stuff. Hafler 500, Citation 16, Soundcraftsmen models (just a few examples), and SO many others, ridiculously came with thin cords. Ampzilla, SAE 2600 (just a few examples) were amps I owned that were wired with a heavy gauge appliance cord (he knew, rip, the importance). Many upgrade companies, such as Musical Concepts/Musical Design, retrofitted those design chassis with an IEC inlet. Greatest tweak for improving these older amps, ime, and of course in many cases, a re-cap. I call it "bottlenecking". Enjoy your meals, giving thanks for how lucky we all are. MrD. 

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