Amplifier current vrs watts; why is current more important?

I'm currently planning an amplifier upgrade (current one is an Arcam PA240), and read through this thread with a lot of interest as my speakers (Focal Kanta 3) have some pretty large impedence dips in lower frequencies which has led me to look for an amp that has strong current capabilities.

I'm far from an electrical expert but I'm starting to understand the above. So far the criteria I've gathered from research is to look for:

• Amps that double wattage from 8-4-2ohms
• Amps that are 2ohm stable
• Larger power supplies

Is there anything I'm missing in terms of specs to look for that indicate good current output? Amp manufacturers don't make this easy as many list out spec sheets with varying degrees of information.

I'm far from an electrical expert but I'm starting to understand the above. So far the criteria I've gathered from research is to look for:

• Amps that double wattage from 8-4-2ohms
• Amps that are 2ohm stable
• Larger power supplies

Is there anything I'm missing in terms of specs to look for that indicate good current output? Amp manufacturers don't make this easy as many list out spec sheets with varying degrees of information.

i think you are on the right track, nothing substantive to add, good luck!

The challenge is the fact amplifier manufacturers don't always post that info. Then it's back to looking up reviews, forum posts, etc. 

Even the size of the power supply isn't listed often, much less current delivery ability!

@gs5556 

+1 … nailed it 

In other words…

Q.” …. I just don’t know how to read amplifier specs to identify whether an amp is high current. …”

A. Don’t look only at the headline power figure - see what happens when the impedance drops to four ohms. If the number nearly doubles, then your amplifier has good current delivery and will be capable of driving more demanding speakers.

E,g, My  integrated amp

A no compromise, super high performance, 162 W into 8 Ω (250 W, 4 Ω), dual mono amplifier.

I'm far from an electrical expert but I'm starting to understand the above. So far the criteria I've gathered from research is to look for:

• Amps that double wattage from 8-4-2ohms
• Amps that are 2ohm stable
• Larger power supplies

@christianb5s4 What is important is whether your amp can behave as a voltage source on your speaker. This does not mean it has to double power into 2 Ohms from 4 Ohms at full power even if your speaker does dip to 2 Ohms.

It will have to double power from 4 Ohms to 2 Ohms at less than full power. Do you see the distinction?

The only time there might be a problem is when you are pushing the amplifier hard, like really at full power as loud as the amp will play. All that will happen is if the amp isn't able to do the job at full power it will overload. So just make sure that the amp makes enough power to satisfy your requirements in your room.

IMO/IME its more important to get an amp that sounds like music, rather than to get one simply on its ability to double power as you cut impedance in half. That's a bit more challenging, since to get an amp to double power as impedance is halved will require (most of the time) that the amp also use feedback.

To use feedback properly without the feedback causing brightness and harshness, you really have to jump through some hoops on the design side and frankly, 99% of amps out there simply don't. What good does it do you to have an amp that can double power into 4 or 2 Ohms if it simply sounds harsh and no-one wants to hear it??