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what's going on with specs?

I'm having a hard time buying a power amp. I'm in the 5-10k range and whae I'm finding are things like PS Audio BHK 250. Specs show 250@8ohms and 500@4ohms. Then the Parasound JC5 shows 400@8ohms and 600@4ohms. Looks like PS Audio doubles at 4 ohms which makes me think it's a stronger amp until I notice the PS Audio spec is at 1 kilohertz and the Parasound measures 20 to 20 kilohertz. That is very confusing and I don't understand why PS Audio doesn't give full power measurements. Anyone with knowledge of these two brands or others. I have the Elac Vela 409s to drive. 
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djones51
4,947 posts
 
Music is art, music reproduction is 100% science. 2 amps that measure the same as long as they are used within their limits will sound the same. 
ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
2 amps that measure the same as long as they are used within their limits will sound the same
Please list the required measurements

Measurements change with temperature, so unless the amp is played at the measurement temperature, they are meaningless.

Measurements are made with static signals, so unless you listen to test tones, they are meaningless.
djones51
4,947 posts
 
Signal over noise and distortion. Power v distortion full load at 4 Ohm both channels driven. Frequency response. Get 2 amps that measure about the same driven below clipping will sound the same or at least so close you would have a hard time telling them apart better than guessing. As long as the amp is considered neutral or transparent with a SINAD in the middle 90's up good luck picking which is which in a blind test.
djones51
4,947 posts
 
Of the 4 amps the OP mentions maybe and that's a long shot maybe one might pick out the BHK 250 over the other 3 between the other 3 I know I wouldn't be able too.
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