Over the last few years I have learned to appreciate the work of small, "boutique" builders. These talented artisan/engineer/enthusiasts can produce equipment that performs at an elite level. In my experience they are all working with vintage, very low output tubes. The equipment is produced in tiny quantities for the hardest of the hard-core zealots.
For a long time I listened, with great enjoyment, to amplifiers with prodigious power. I loved it. They sounded great. I’m not saying that high powered amplifiers, SS or tube, can’t sound wonderful.
But I noticed something. Lots of times I’m listening in the near field at 65 - 75 dB. On my 94 dB efficient speakers that means I’m listening to much less than a watt.
I had the chance to try a 300B, point-to-point wiring, zero negative feedback amp. Loved it. Now I'm down the rabbit hole listening to amps employing ancient 45 tubes. Glorious.
Yes, I appreciate that the dynamics of the music can sometimes require huge, instantaneous spikes of current and power. And I also appreciate that these low powered amps can produce a lot of distortion, if driven beyond their limits. But, for my listening, to my mixture of jazz, classical, vocal, dub, hip-hop, ambient, country, soul and R ’n B, I don’t think that’s happening. Again, my music, my preferences, my system. So, might not work for everybody. I get that. And I’m not trying to argue with anybody. Just trying to encourage others to really think about how they are really listening and how much power they need.
