Answering my own Q as the result of all the input here and elsewhere, I have to say "No. Probably not, if within a reasonable context given system parameters or at least, speaker requirements."
Having some more horse power on tap is a good thing when it comes to the subject of amps, usually. Be it simply plain old watts, or immediately available responsiveness … ala current.
I feel enormous power isn't the primary, ‘end all be all’, consideration. Neither do I don’t feel it’s a bad thing what so ever. I believe it comes down to correctness more than anything else.
Watts, after all, do cost money. Some watts cost a lot more money than some others. Why then over spend, seems to arise as a significant factor in choosing the amp (s) for the speaker nearly as much as the quality of all them watts. Being sought does.
Consequently, IMO, it is as much a question of quality, as it is one of quantity.
The numeric values sort themselves out with respect to speaker needs and amp characteristics and their outputs if both speaker maker and amp maker have been forthright in assigning each their proper specifications.
The qualitative side of the amplifier coin is far, far more vague.
In seeking out a solution for my HT desires/needs (For me, it’s awful hard to see the difference between those two concerns at times), I felt perhaps a digital solution might be best after all.
In pursuing accounts from owners, and online editorials I ran across some interesting new topologies in that area aside from digital (ICE) amps. Keeping in mind availability on the new, and pre-owned front, tried and true designs as well and my own preferences, I’ve decided to give BK Butler a shot at satisfying the multi channel amplification duties for now. Naturally, this might well change but on paper, the TDB 5150 looks like the choice that interests me most and does appear to satisfy my system needs.
The digital amps pointed me towards some new thoughts in multi ch amptechnology, no transformers to speak of, going greener, operational temps, and overall size, which normally aren’t Audio Nut concerns as a rule, but they certainly do apply more and more lately.
Admittedly, I did pursue in spite of these newer notions in amplification some more venerable and proven themes from ATI, Anthem, Parasound, Wyred 4, Rowland, and Odyssey. Choosing to pull the trigger on this ASAP, provided limitations as to choice, so did the actual age of some amp selections, prices too caused some to be disallowed. Integration too was an issue… space too was a concern. Seeking to stay as current as possible brought me to pick between another likewise 3 ch newe, Odyssey amp and an available butler 5150.
Several other aspects of the design are very similar between these two ideas on amplification, and the tube facet of the butler configuration set it on top of the field.
I very much like the Odyssey amp I own, for it’s sound versus it’s price. It does indeed overachieve sonically. The butler and Odyssey use the same Sanken bi polar devices in their output stages, have similar power ratings, operational values, and accordingly run reasonably cool to warm at most…. Add the ‘tube’ element the TDB 5150 design contains and at an attractibve price point, my decision was about made for me… try the tubed gizmo from BK.
So the choice has been made and the unit will begin it’s undertaking in due time. It will also be a single bullet for all five channels rather than splitting up the duties between other amps, thus hopefully adding some greater cohesiveness and tonal symmetry across the sound field. I suppose that counts for something too.
Thanks for all the input, and thoughtful responses posted herein. By the end of the month I should be able to say how well it handles HT amplification responsibilities in my configuration. Hopefully this will become a more than satisfactory addition…. I’ll let you all know for sure.
