Current Questions

To determine if an amp is "high current" - ask the salesman to take off the cover. Look for:

- one or two metal boxes or toroids (transformers) - bigger is better;

- several cans (capacitors) - again, bigger is better;

- a dozen or so 1" squares with 3 whiskers or ovals (power transistors) mounted on the inside of an exterior surface - yet again, more is better.

All of these are required to make a "high current" transistor amplifier. Or you could just ask for a brand that’s famous for it, like Bryston.

Just as well the electron flow doesn't spill out of any unused wall sockets.

And yes, it is important. Otherwise amp could go "poof" when a few undersized power transistors are asked to handle too much power. First the amp would just sound nasty - that's a warning. Power is defined by current x voltage, that is, IV.

falconquest,

 After skimming through these many posts about a simple question, your answer has the best potential to answer the basic question asked by someone admits right up front that this isn't exactly his line of expertise. Thanks for that. The fact that some of the posts accurately describe current with the inclusion of OHMS law, or other related truth, does not help the person who is asking in the first place. 

 When working with customers, one goal is to connect with them on the level that they are at and not just spew out your vast knowledge, using terms, definitions, laws, ad infinitum about the product or subject. What seems easy to understand with a background for reference in physics or electronics, is not where most people are at.

 In my case, don't even start with the basics of a tax form. Screw it, I give you the papers and pay you money for that. Explanation will often lead to even more confusion. 

Thank you everyone for trying to drag me into the light. 
 

Unfortunately it seems that the light isn’t so bright. The implication of Terry9’s post—take off the cover and look for this and that—is that there isn’t a spec I can look at and get quick understanding of a given amplifier’s current capabilities. No equivalent of watts as it relates to power. Is that right? Nothing that will give me even a rough idea? Something for fools like me who didn’t write a dissertation on Ohm’s law?
 

I could easily be wrong but it seems that, back in the 1980s and ‘90s, most every amp doubled in power as it moved from eight ohms to four. Like a manufacturer would be embarrassed if it didn’t. I think even my Harmon Karden 330c went from 20 watts to 40 as the impedance changed. (Dropped? Rose?) Is that just a warm, fuzzy feeling I’m getting from the past?

4krowme, we went to the same school of income tax preparation. I’d probably be better off if I stayed there for electronics. But I hate to be completely ignorant when talking to a salesman or reading glowing marketing materials. Knowledge is power and I don’t like being defenseless.