For efficient speakers, how much difference does an amp really make?

I had a pair of outlaws on trial..... they were ok but their ATI built amps sound much better.  Those speakers deserve better !!    The ATI 2002 is a bargain on the used market.  McCormack DNA 225 also great value used. 

I have had both in my system and although I have gone to the dark side, those are two amps I could live with again if I ever went back to SS.  I had the 225 on loan and actually bought a DNA 125 new, great amp that I regret selling.

Personally I would avoid something as old as the Adcom ...  those are pretty old at this point .   

Watts do matter if you want top notch dynamic peaks. That is basic physics.

A 50 watt tube or Class D amp may seem to deliver more per watt but that is mainly due to the fact that these amps soft clip which makes clipping more digestible to the ear by rounding off the peaks smoothly.

For best performance always best to be sure to avoid clipping, especially hard clipping like most amps but also soft.

How much exactly is needed is very speaker dependent.

My personal experience has been most any speaker benefits from more watts where the amp does not have to ever break a sweat to drive them.

I use 500. W/ch Bel Canto Class D. This will drive almost any speaker to lifelike volume effortlessly without ever getting warm.

I also have 60 watt Bel Canto Class D amp. This is lovely within its SPL limits with most speakers like a good tube amp but more limited in regards to ultimate dynamics and SPL.

If an amp does not clip, chances are it will sound good. What sounds best from there is much more subjective and harder to predict.

Years ago I worked in a TechHifi where we live demoed and sold most every line of receiver and amp from 15 w/ch to 200 or so.

The bigger model in every line always sounded best. Nobody ever chose fewer watts after listening because it sounded better.

Amps do sound different. The difference can be subtle or huge. Sometimes subtle differences can be worth the upgrade too.

I would not recommend an older Adcom. I just don’t think they’re a very good amp.

I don’t know your amps or speakers, but I wouldn’t solely focus on more watts as the solution for greater clarity and bass. What is your price range?

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Horses for courses