Amplifier specs, does they matter?

At least one company claims that their really-fast negative feedback loops eliminate the problems traditionally associated with negative feedback.

Just when you thought you've heard everything...

Spectron, Soulution, I'm sure there are others. I guess they should have spoken with you first.

I really like Onhighway61s response, particularly

The information won't tell you how the amp will sound, but it will tell if it can operate properly in your system.

IOW, use certain specs to rule out an amp in the context of your speakers and pre-amp, but from there, their usefulness is questionable for a variety or reasons.

I also endorse the use of weight when comparing otherwise similar amps because of what it tells you about output xformers and power supply. Of course, its non-scientific and is not applicable to OTLs ;-)

Well, I'm talking about two-channel only. And I'm not sure that the color of the amp is critical here. Unless its flaming red-orange.

If I may tweek the subject matter just a bit.....I see many conversations here about matching pre-amps to amps based on specs. I hear some claim positive results while others have found unfavorable matches. I guess what I don't understand is why it wouldn't be most favorable to use a pre and amp combination from the same manufacturer. This would seem to lend itself to the highest level of system "synergy". Since (presumably) the same engineering team developed both units to work in conjunction with each other, this would be more favorable than trying to match specs. between different manufacturers especially if there may be different standards used for measurement.