A1126lin,
The reason for the seeking higher power is "linearity".
If amplifiers were perfectly linear - that is their
characteristics were independent of the magnitude of their
output, then Gmood1 and Nrchy above would be correct -
there would be no advantage to having more power than
you need.
However, amplifiers are NOT perfectly linear. They are only
approximately linear. One way to stay within the most
linear regime of the amplifier's operating characteristics
is to use a small fraction of the amplifier's ultimate
power. That is the more the amplifier "loafs" - the
better.
Who would you trust more with lifting a prized breakable
possesion weighing 40 lbs - someone that can lift 60 lbs
or a longshoreman that routine lifts over 100 lbs?
The less the load "taxes" the amplifier - the better.
Now does high power necessarily equate to better quality?
Certainly NOT - Thorman is correct there.
The design of the amplifier, the quality of the components,
etc; all are factors affecting the quality. However, all
else being equal - the more powerful the amp - the more
you stay in the linear regime of the tubes or transistors
that make the amp work.
You also have to be cognizant of the fact that the response
to power is logarithmic. That is 300 watts is only a
1.76 dB increase over 200 watts, and only 4.78 dB over
100 watt power level.
So what may look like a large increase on a linear scale -
is actually only a small increase on a logarithmic scale.
Dr. Gregory Greenman
Physicist
