More power for moderate listening levels?


Hi,

I can't seem to find good information regarding the effect of relatively high powered amps on low to moderate listening levels. I have a low powered class A amp that sounds wonderful at moderate volumes but not surprisingly shows signs of strain when cranked up. I am contemplating an upgrade that would bring much more power to solve this problem. However, since I don't play music really loud that often I'm wondering if the upgrade is really all that necessary. It would be worth it if the reserve power of the new amplifier improved sound quality at all levels.     

Thanks for your help,

Brian
brianbiehs
It really comes down to priorities and preferences. If high quality at high volume is a priority then you need different speakers. Its that simple. The power demands of those speakers at high volume, forget reserve, you need hundreds of watts. Need. To use. Not have in reserve. Whatever that even means. 

Tekton makes some great speakers, very high efficiency, great sound, and their favorite amp is Pass. It would seem a match made in heaven.  

But if on the other hand you're totally in love with the medium volume sound, able to understand what's going on and live with the compromise at higher levels, that's fine too. 

Most of what I see here though sounds like trying to have it both ways. Since horses for courses didn't gain any traction how about don't put legs on a snake? You have some fine speakers, for what they are. Don't try and make them what they're not. Doing something up a rope, or into the wind, comes to mind.
Cheapest solution is to bi-amp using 200+ wpc of class D for the bass
speaker.
Use the Pass 25 on the upper only. 

Also borrow/buy someone's measuring equipment to see if and when the clipping occurs.

Then report back.
If you want to go louder and clearer you can change amps and go for more muscle or change speakers to something that is better suited to 25 watts.  But they won't be Harbeths.
I found myself in a similar situation. I drive Sonus Faber Sonettos II with Pathos Classic One MKIII. Although I'm very pleased how it sounds at moderate to loud listening levels, every time I crank the volume up I feel like I miss dynamics and grunt from the amplifier. It seems the amplifier is having a hard time driving the speakers when reaching 85db+ SPL at my listening spot which is no more than 9 feet from the speakers. 
I'm on the same crossway as you. I really like the sound of the pathos but I always feel I need more power for the speakers to shine ...
Tekton makes some great speakers
IF one likes that sort of thing.

In the Monitor review, Stereophile determined "My estimate of the Impact's sensitivity was 87.5dB(B)/2.83V/m, considerably lower than the specified 94dB." https://www.stereophile.com/content/tekton-design-impact-monitor-loudspeaker-measurements

Truth in advertising: Miller owns Tektons.