accuphase a36 vs p4500

@gwng8 A-48 + C-2450 is excellent match!

C-2450 pre has excellent earphone amplifier as a feature “for free”! :-) I am using Accuphase C-2450 pre to drive Sony MDRZ1R EP. Compared it it to other counterparts, Accuphase wins hands down on sound stage, and has useful tone control options. 

I added to my C-2450 pre optional AD-2850 phono stage. Accuphase phono stage makes vinyl tunes warmer and more realistic/analog than SACD! So far checked it with AT-ART9, AT-ART7, AT-ML170, AT-150MLX, AT20 cartridges, no complains! 

well i'm definitely choosing between a48 and p4500.  just not sure about the big differences.  the p4500 shows 90w output/145 max....but how much would be class a?the a48 is 45w/102w with more dampening power and almost 10 pounds of more accucrack goodness

the p4500 shows 90w output/145 max....but how much would be class a?

The power consumption specs of P-4500 is 62 Watts @ idle, since class A efficiency is 50% or less, so it's safe to estimate its class A bias is less than 15 Watts per channel.

A48 consumes 180w idle, while P4500 “only” 62W.. thats the main reason most of time I use P4500.

thanks again.

so how important are watts?  All these amps have a high dampening factor, but are a lot of watts a necessary factor especially for lower listening?