How many watts do you really need?

As mentioned earlier, depends on the listener. I had a class set amp with 8 watts pushing 92db speakers. Sounded great but I felt it lacked ooomph when playing certain genres of music. I then picked up a class ab 20 watt amp pushing 98db speakers, fantastic. Amp “pushes” music powerfully through the speakers with all genres. For me, way more enjoyable. 

Hey I'm from the 100 wpc or it sucks days...but my tube amp...25 works. Four me anyway.

@roadcykler Not me but the Gryphon company..,,

There is high-audio hype everywhere, not worth evaluating non-factual (vs measurable) claims. Doing so is not only unfruitful but creates indignate anger negative feelings. The only thing that is helpful is comparative review to get some relative sort of value. Life’s too short. Best to spend your time on positive things - like listening to great music. 

@kennyc I'm on your page Kenny c, understanding that you may not be totally in agreement with what I'm saying but at least like me you understand that extra wattage for headroom can protect the amp and the speaker that will keep everything running smooth sailing from clipping and distorting because of power demands from certain speakers. I also understand and I'm sure you do as well that an amplifier that is too powerful can also destroy your system and burn it OUT. But when I was speaking of high-power amplification I was speaking in terms of the Ultra-High-End Audiophile and what he is looking for in his system that is not Vacuum Tube powered. But for amplifiers that are like... D' AGOSTINO Class A/ AB and GRYPHON Class A/AB are producing for that market and level of AUDIOPHILE. Like you said you must match the amplifier to the speakers. And SUBJECTIVELY that's just my opinion on this subject of wattage and how much you really need. But I'm sure someone would beg to differ, and for that matter to each his own.

GOOD DAY AND PEACE TO ALL

@blackbird55 - I’m in agreement with you. Generally, don’t run high powered amps on highly efficient speakers as small volume control increases can send too much damaging power to the speakers in a hurry. Too little amp power to a lower efficiency speakers can lead to clipping and distortion when the amp is pushed too hard.

I run a 320wpc8Ω/460wpc4Ω Audionet Humboldt into a 89db Vimberg Mino D. I also plan to investigate low watt tube midrange magic amps starting with flea watt SET amps down to ~2wpc on my 100db Volti Rival (wattage verified by Greg Roberts). If I love tube Sonics, I may climb to better gear using my “imaginary” ample budget.