Does it matter what power amp i get?

Great topic. Aside from reading reviews and doing side by side comparisons, what should one look at on a spec sheet when trying to narrow down such a vast field? I mean - it is really difficult to even get a firsthand look at many of the different brands. So if you find an amp and research the specs on their website, what are the most important things to compare?

Your trying to make it simple. You sure asked the wrong crowd. You don't realize that we argue over Triodes vs Pentodes and whether one $4000 amp blows away another $4000 amp (that have basically the same specifications.)

I will assume you are sincere but are not all that critical and you just want a good performing amp for your speakers. Your search is pretty simple.

1. Find a dealer that has your speakers or something very close to them in cost size, and efficiency.
2. Select some CDs you are very familiar with.
3. Go to the dealer on an off day when the store isn't being overloaded with other customers music.
4. Have the salesman point out the amps that are in your price range and listen to them. Buy the one that sounds best with your speakers and your music. One more piece of advice. Take a woman with you that you respect in terms of "good ears". Women usually have better hearing, they are less swayed by techno hype, and there is usually a significant other who will be pleased you asked. My wife is sensitive to overly bright sounding equipment. I certainly don't want to buy a system that she has to leave the room for me to listen to. (Yes it happens to men all the time.)

I could tell you about impedence matching, TIM, continuous power vs RMS and lots of other items to consider but hay its what the beast sounds like to you that matters.

An amps specs has nothing to do with its sound quality although some mfgrs would like you to believe that. The fact of the matter is that in order for a mfgr to easily achieve those excellent specs, massive doses of negative feedback are applied. The result is an amp with impressive specs but poor or mediocre sound quality. Amps are not all equal and I agree with the above response, the most ideal method of selecting a power amp is to consider your budget & to demo it on your particular speakers. (This is why Audiogon exists). For example your not going to put Krell amp on horn loaded speakers, too bright! Also another important factor in selecting a power amp is to take in consideration the type of music you generally listen to. I think the best part of this hobby is trying different products.