Watts! How many do we need?

Current uber alles.

Looking at my own meters, it’s movies that are going to push the amps.

For the record, every meter I’ve seen is really a voltage meter in disguise. A low impedance speaker won’t push the needle further up. Perhaps someone has invented a smarter meter though. :)

On a slightly different angle than the OP has asked Nelson Pass has long advocated that the performance of an amp in the first few watts is what matters most.

How about this? Or this?

Or maybe that? Or that?

And who could forget this?

Search engines...I wuv you.

It is FAR easier to sell something on more-is-better because that is easy to understand. If the extra power does not come at an expense in terms of sound quality, that would mean no harm in having way too much power in reserve.  But, that is not really the case.  Of curse it is a matter of taste, but, I generally prefer the sound of low-powered tube amps over other types.  Often, my least favorite amps are high-powered tube amps running multiple KT88, KT150, KT170, etc. tubes (the sound is "hard" and harsh sounding to me).  These days, most good solid state amps are smooth and not harsh sounding at all, but, they tend to sound a bit lifeless and unengaging unless the volume is push up higher than one would play the speakers running good tube amps. 

I know Harbeth advocates for a lot of power and their speakers are somewhat inefficient, but, the best I have heard them sound was with medium powered amps.  A good 20-100 watt pushpull tube amp would be my choice.

I keep going down in watts. I do have high-efficiency Klipsch Cornwalls.

My amp voyage has been....

NAD M23 200 wpc

to 

Threshold CAS1 75 wpc

to

Manley Stringray switchable between 20 wpc (triode) or 40 wpc (ultra-linear) 

All have sounded great, but each has been a step up in quality; in my opinion.

I love the sound of the Manley in ultra-linear mode.

FYI

there are several Stringrays at a good price here in Audiogon.

as well as a great pair of Snappers; if you have a little extra and want 100wpc.