Same watts at 8 and 4 ohms?

@atmasphere 
Thanks, Ralph. Both amps listed will voltage drive the OP's speakers, but when said amps don't list separate power specs for 4ohm and 8ohm, it's doubtful that they double down their power rating. Yes?

it's doubtful that they double down their power rating. Yes?

Yes, but as I pointed out, that is only a 3dB issue. Another way of looking at this is that if the rated power is enough to do the job, its no worries. It really is that simple.

Its only mind-numbing if you make it that way. Most of the guys here are experts at spinning you so far down the rabbit holes you'll wish you'd taken up something fun and easy like nuclear physics or MMA. 

Your speakers are at the low end of acceptable, but then so were mine until recently. Here's what I had, and they were the same 90dB only mine were nominal 8 ohm. https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8367 Notice that is a 50wpc tube amp. Notice that is a pretty big room. I listen fairly loud, sometimes really loud, and was just able to do that with these speakers and amp. Now with Tekton Moab speakers, 98dB, in spite of being 4 ohms they are a lot easier to drive and play really loud with a fraction of the power the Talons required. Because, remember, log function. 

So again, forget power. Forget who likes what. Least useful thing imaginable is some reviewer telling you they liked it. Only way that has any meaning at all is if you know the reviewer, he's your best bud, you heard all kinds of stuff together and agree on everything. Otherwise, ignore. Only thing matters is what they say they heard. Pay attention to how they describe the sound. How they say it compares to other amps. Pay attention to what they regard as a higher standard. Because its all relative. There's a million levels. You can find great gear at every level. But the more time you spend thinking about watts and ohms the harder it gets to find them.

@millercarbon, I get what you're saying but I have to narrow down the field somehow. And with a budget of under $2000 and no dealers conveniently close, auditioning is nearly impossible outside of shipping stuff back and forth which is time consuming and possibly expensive.


I can tell you that they sound great with a Classe' Sigma SST pre into a Bryston 9B (both are AV units). But those are not mine to keep and they are too bulky and 'ugly' for the room.

I  think the two you mentioned  either NAD C388 or Cambridge 851A would work with those speakers. The Bryston you mentioned is 140 at 8 Ohm and 200 at 4 Ohm if that drives them loud enough for you then the others would. If you use Crutchfield you get a pretty good trial time.