Amplifier current vrs watts; why is current more important?

The issue is a little complex when discussing audio frequency modulated currents. Voice coil speakers use alternating electric current in copper coils in close proximity to the speaker magnets to create the mechanical motion of the speaker cone. Audio modulated AC current in any coil produces frequency dependent reactance and impedance not simple 8 ohm DC resistance that might be inferred by the speaker specification. The accuracy of overall sound reproduction is the ability of the amplifier to overcome the reactance and impedance across the audio spectrum otherwise sound distortion is introduced. There is also the issue of electrical resonance and the amplifier needs to be able to dampen such. In general all modern amplifier designs effectively deal with these issues unless you’re an electronics hobbyist building your own amp. 

But a monoblock amp like the "Legendary" old Mark Levinson ML2 monoblocks that are only 25w!! into 8ohms, will sound better into them, because it’s said they double their wattage for each halving of impedance all the way down to 1ohm with the current it can generate, so they will stay flat in frequency response, where the 500w’ers will sound like a tone control.

What is important is that the amp behave as a voltage source, not whether it can double full power as the load is cut in half. The latter is a subset of the former.

Of course, a good number of loudspeakers in high end audio don't even expect the amp to behave as a voltage source. That is why there are so many successful  zero feedback tube designs, which behave more like a power source.

Doesn't matter what "spin" is put on it, when you have good current, the amp stays flatter in frequency response, instead of looking like a tone control.
An amp needs current along with the watts, as these frequency response graphs show, of the same "wattage" amps with and without good current ability into the same easy speaker load.
https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/1730185

Cheers George


 

Hi atmasphere. I love your amps by the way. If I had reasonably normal loudspeakers I'd have a pair for sure. I have my eye on a pair of Soundlabs which I understand do wonderfully with your MA 2s.
I am not sure I understand your last statement. Are you saying that zero feedback amps can supply more current and would do better driving low impedance loudspeakers?