How can I tell if I need more power?

Dwpc, please don't take this the wrong way. With that in mind, here goes:

Your current system is equivalent to owning a high performance muscle or sports car and filling up with watered down 87 octane from "Joe's Gas & Go". While it will get you from Point A to Point B, you're not getting ANYWHERE near the performance, benefits or fun of what you paid your money for. As such, your Vandie's are SCREAMING for a chance to to be taken out on the open road and strut their stuff. I'm not just talking about in terms of sheer "output" but also of the finesse and detail that they are capable of.

I would HIGHLY suggest looking into a higher quality amplifier section (as a start). While more power would probably be beneficial, i would first worry about "quality" and then look at the "numbers". Low powered high quality amps will ALWAYS sound more powerful than what they are spec'd at. As a case in point, look at how many "little" Pass amps rated at 30 wpc are floating around in relatively "high dollar" systems. Low power doesn't necessarily mean lack of bass output or low frequency control, clipping, etc... IF the amp and power supply are well designed and the speakers / type of music aren't overly demanding. As such, I would rather have 50 "good" Class A "hi-fi" watts of power per channel than 200 watts of "generic" Class AB "mid-fi" at the same appr price.

Keep in mind that you're working with a music SYSTEM. Your choices should blend together sonically, not just look good on paper. Hope this helps and gives you something to think about... Sean
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Well, in Ca there ought to be somebody ithat would enjoy taking you through this.
When we 1st buy our gear, we are taught(or should be taught)that speakers make all the difference, and they do on the 1st couple of systems. But once we get used to our systems, especially one's where the speakers are the strongest link, it is amazing what a good amp will do.
Good listening.

once again, sean gives wise advice, as does jvia (a transplanted gentleman from tennessee of the first water). as for me: i've NEVER heard an "overpowered" system (given that the amps, of whatever variety, provide clean power with plenty of current). -cfb

I hear ya about the power Kelly ( aka "the Cornfed Kid" when out robbing banks and old time trains ). As many of you know, i am a BIG fan of "too much is not enough" when it comes to power. For the record, my HT system is rated at 6400 watts RMS, my computer room system uses 800 wpc monoblocks, my "big" system that i'm still working on will be triamped monoblocks at 1200+ wpc, etc... I think you get the idea. There is a LOT to be said for having MILES of headroom even when "jamming".

As it is in Dwpc's case though, he's obviously been happy with the "limited" amount of juice that he's been running for some time now. I would rather see him get a taste of "quality" at a "reasonable" amount of power than shoot for something that was more powerful, looked good on paper and seemed like a "steal" in terms of watts per dollar. I think that you and many others will know where i'm coming from in that aspect of "system building".

All too often people "upgrade" by reading reviews and specs without really thinking about "how good does it sound in MY system" and don't really think about "system synergy". I think we've ALL been there done that and learned the hard way. If not, they'll be there SOON ENOUGH if they keep hanging out here and get struck by the " upgrade bug" : ) Sean
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I have heard your speakers with a Audio Research D-130 and a AR pre. Before that he had a jvc rec. The difference is un real. The Ar seems to be perfict with that speaker. I have a Krell he wont let me compare them he is afraid hell like it better, says toooooo much money!