What kind of power wakes up electrostatic speakers

To corroborate what Bob stated, ML is in fact using the JC-1's as their reference amplification within their test lab / listening room. Even in a large room, ML stated that these amps are fully capable of providing any SPL range that they desire and can do so with absolute control and do so while sounding superb. Sean
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PS... I posted this not to jump on the band wagon, but simply as a "witness" to verify / support the statements being made. Some might feel that such information was tainted coming from Bob or that Bob was blowing his own horn. To clarify things, Bob was involved with designing the amps, primarily selecting the individual components used to voice the sonic signature of the amp. For the record, i do not own or sell any Parasound gear or the JC-1's in specific. Having said that, i would like to own a pair of these amps and am accepting funds on a donation basis so that i can afford to buy a pair or two : )

By the way, Innersound told me that their ESL amp is indeed a "switching" amp. That's why it runs so cool. How does this relate to switching amp's generally poor capability to deal with wide impedence ranges? Clearly the ESL handles this kind of variability fairly well.

That's a new one on me. My two ESL amps run very, very hot when I'm cranking the 3.6s, impedances are low but flat. Another friend drives his EROS MKII panels with an ESL and plays the music very loud. The amp runs cool. Another friend runs Clements RT-7s (ribbon tweeter, cone woofer) with his ESL and the amp can get warm, but not hot, with loud volumes.

Well... I think I got it right from Innersound... If anyone can clear this up, please do. Thanks.

The Innersound amp is not a switching amplifier. It is a classical class AB complementary symmetry transistor design. The original amplifier had the bias on the output stage turned up to run in class A. Later a revision was made that put the amplifier into class AB operation (lowered the bias currents) and some negative feedback was also added to keep things under control. With this revision the amplifier now runs cool at low power. Of course, as power increases losses due also so the unit will heat up.

The Innersound is an excellent design. A very well executed class AB amplifier. Arguably this amp tosses the guantlet for the law of diminishing returns.