How many watts do you really need?

I grew,up when you had to have over 100 wfc...and that was it.

My system is very revealing and undetectable black noise (to human ears, maybe not electronic instruments). I need no more than my 1.5 W provide. 

Wow that article is funny.  I've recently looked inside their top amp, I believe over $300k and was shocked at the build quality or lack of it for the price. When I see crimped connections, etc. in that level of an amp I question their price structure and its obvious they charge the max they can charge for the name and fancy case work.

Regardless of sound quality, I will not pay that kind of dollars for basic components and lack of detail in construction, fancy case or not. That things got from what i can see 64 output transistors per cannel. When did less is more stop being a thing? 

Wasn't it Nelson Pass that said the first watt is the most important?

Power requirements depends on the sensitivity of your loudspeakers, the size of the room, type of music ( to a degree) & most importantly how loud you enjoy your music. If you have a lower sensitivity speaker, maybe 85 db/watt/meter or lower & like to listen loudly to music w/ lots of bass in a big room,  you could easily use a several hundred watts on peaks.