Tekton Double Impacts

Given the caliber and experience of most of the posters here, those power requirement charts are nothing new and they do serve a purpose. The focus is on SPL generation which is relevant but ultimately but one factor (amongst many)  when the goal is "overall " sound quality and involvement.

Am I advocating the use of under powered amplifiers? No, I just find there are a multitude of sonic/musical factors that are more crucial and satisfying. Obviously one has to decide their own comfort level in regard to volume. That will no doubt vary individually. Ideally one would want an amplifier that does it all flawlessly and this is not feasible.

Tone, texture, timbre, harmonic overtones, musical ebb and flow, nuance, inner detail, tactile flesh and blood presence. These matter more to some listeners than "how loud can it go". It will simply depend on one’s priorities. There are many paths to musical contentment.
Charles

Gentleman,

I probably come close to trying more different amps,from 1watt to 700watts,than all the amps combined from the majority of DI owners on this thread.So I know without a doubt what kind of pwr that I need for my system,room,music preferences.

I stand by my statement that the 1 watt Micro ZOTL sounds absolutely beautiful and does not sound anemic in the least.

Lance made this statement and I totally agree with him,The MZ2 is quite remarkable on it's own in my system playing 90% of the music I listen to and will reach peaks of low 90's at my listening position 10 feet away,that is with the volume knob almost all the way up and I have'nt yet heard any sign of strain,compression,loss of bass or dynamics or clipping.It just simply runs out of volume and that should be a given I'ts only 1 watt but it's a Glorious,Sweet,and powerful sounding 1watt.

 I'm still in amazement that the little guy can pwr speakers the size of these DI's as well as it does.

Now If I want to listen louder or listen to classical symphonic music Obviously I'm going to need a little more pwr,Or if I want a different flavor in sound just hook a pwr amp up to it,The MZ2S plays very well with every amp that I have used with it.

And the pairing of the MZ2 with the Zotl40 is the best sound I've ever heard in my system and I have only played my worst sounding recordings so far,More thoughts on this in time once I sort this all out.

Best,
Kenny.

Charles,

Right on,+1.

1 watt does generate volume...but simple physics tells us it is impossible from 1 watt to reproduce music in the best possible way. It has no choice but to sound flat compared to more appropriate power levels for the speakers. This is especially true with music recorded with more dynamic range.

Porsheracer,

I'm not trying to disagree with the physics or anybody else's opinions at all,I learned most of what has been said on this subject about 30 yrs ago and I know what I hear in my system.

The question I have for you is what are your music preferences,volume levels and the size of your room where your going to put your DI's.

That would probably give us all a better understanding of your requirements.

The playback of music in the home has and always will be highly subjective and really there is no right way or wrong way,It all comes down to the individual music lover and audiophile to make his or hers own choices.

Best,
Kenny.