2. amps-preamps
  3. 1102312937

Does the power of an amplifier really matter?

Excuse my ignorance, but I am trying to understand the meaning of amplifier power. A doubling of amplifier output power results in a 3dB increase in sound-pressure level. So, if I listen to my stereo at a volume of say, 70 dB, what is the difference in a 100W amp vs. 250 W amp? If I listen at 70 dB, is more power delivered to the speakers with a 250W amp vs. 100W amp (resulting in better driver control)? I am not sure that is the case. Is it that a higher powered amp delivers a given amount of power more cleanly? Not sure if that is true as well. Can anyone educate me on this fundamental property of amplifiers?
number1cuban
c123666
871 posts
 
Some "low powered "amps will power speakers that simply don't work with other amp designs with much more power. The vintage Levinson ML9 (get that right?) was a pure class A monaural design with a whopping 25 watts into 8 ohms....and 50 into 4.....and 100 into 2....and 200 into 1...and it WAS rated at 400 into 0.5 ohms....

I would pick up a pair of these if they show up in good condition at the right price in a heartbeat.
stu_g
1 posts
 
The levinson ML-9 is Class A/B and it was 100 watts per channel in 8 ohms. It is the same amp as the ML-3 which had 200 watts per channel. You are confused with the Levinson ML-2 which were mono 25 watts class A and were used with Quad speakers mostly at the time.
limomangus's avatar
limomangus
1,428 posts
 
Power crazy....it started in the 1970s...you had to have 100 wpc.the more power the better....until today were 350 wpc minimum....please.
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