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Same watts at 8 and 4 ohms?

I'm in the market for an integrated amp and trying to sort through tech specs. My understanding of the tech aspects of hi-fi gear is limited. Looking for some clarity in regard to watts-per-channel specs.

It is my understanding that wpc at 4 ohms is typically 1.5x -2x the wpc at 8 ohms.

But I'm seeing a number of respectable mid-fi integrateds with the same wpc for both 8 and 4 ohms. The NAD 388 is one and I think this is true for several of the Cambridge Audio units at a similar price point ($1500-$2000).

The NAD features make a point of saying " 4-ohm stable for use with a wide range of speakers". 

Would appreciate any insight to what these specs mean and what 4 ohm stable really means to me. My speakers are 4 ohm speakers.

Thanks,

George
n80
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

n80 OP
George, the amp I was referring to is the Proceed HPA2.

Should be a great amp for the 7T’s linear amp and dual power supply, 12 x bjt output transistors per channel.

Don’t listen to anyone here keep what you’ve got with this Proceed, it’s will be a very good amp with the 7T’s.
250w-8ohm and said to be 500w-4ohms
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/LgnrqKWmaoA/maxresdefault.jpg

n80 OP
I’m looking for an integrated with DAC
The 6T’s "could" be just as difficult to drive the only integrated with dac I can recommend is a used John Curl Parasound Halo "Hint" or a new "Hint 6" Both these have ESS Sabre dacs in them, but are normal size not mini or small
https://parasound.com/hint.php

Cheers George
n80 OP
2,107 posts
 
@mt9894, one of my restrictions is that for these speakers to stay in the living room, the stuff driving them needs to be fairly small and discrete.

The Classe' and Bryston (which I am selling for an estate) in there now are not making my wife very happy. And it wouldn't hurt that whatever I end up choosing has a nice design factor like the Peachtree stuff.

She won't be excited about the spare look of the NAD but it would suffice in that department.
dtapo
73 posts
 
+1 for a tube integrated. But if you don’t want to deal with the quirks of a tube amp - more heat, tube replacement, etc, get either a Hegel integrated or Musical fidelity integrated. I’ve owned/own both and can highly recommend them. They both drive difficult loads and sound very enjoyable. I listen to my tube amp often, but the 2 SS amps mentioned come very close.
n80 OP
2,107 posts
 
I see the Parasound Halo 2.1 here on Audiogon for around $1700. Will consider it. It isn't small or compact but no larger than the NAD.

twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,313 posts
 
Creek Evolution 100A.  About as self-effacing as they come.
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