Quote Originally Posted by Feanor View Post
Yes, this is how it works in principle. On the other hand, my speakers, which are rated at 86 dB/watt, and to which I almost never listen to at typical levels over 75 dB where peaks might be 89 dB, cannot be driven by a 1 watt amp.
Sure it could - if the amp had a good power transformer. Just because an amp says 50 watts don't mean it's created equal - and that goes for tube amps. Granted 1 watt is pushing it I would say 5-10 is better

And the AN Soro at 18 watts did a much better job than Bryston 7B amps at over 200 Watts on your speakers - well not your speakers but the 1.7s which is close enough. Did better than what I heard at CES too and those were the 28B jobbies

And the Soro I never pushed beyond 1/4 of it's capability and it had more than enough power even with heavier techno trance music.

The issue comes down to the quality of transformers - in SETs parts matter. SS maybe not so much since it seems most of them sound the same when listeners are blind - but the SS makers tend to buy the same off the shelf parts as their competiors and if the parts are the same - the sound will be the same - slapping a different logo on the front doesn't change that.

With the planars at the listening position with low sensitivity and 4 ohm loads 1 watt isn't going to fly. The 1 watt amp (if it's a SET) often halve their output with half the impedance - which is the opposite of high current amplifiers.

For instance - even the Sugden A21a while rated at 25 watts per channel only outputs 12-13 watts at 4 ohms.

As UHF noted the industry got by for 40 years where most home amplifiers were between 10-20 watts and 35 was considered to be a beast. Then the bigger watt receivers came out at 125 the sound was crap and has been ever since.

I have real problems with Magnepan owners who claim they need lots and lots and lots of power - the bloody manufacturer uses a 40 watt RECEIVER for Pete sake and receivers rarely get anywhere near their power rating. They don't seem to be under the impression you need 400 watt monoblocks like the guys on the planar forums. The reason they keep spending more on high power amps is because something about the sound quality is lousy to their ear and they believe more power will fix it - they're wrong. They need to isolate the problem which may be the room, or it may be the speakers.

The turn it up to sound good phenomenon is pervasive with many speakers - and part of that occurs with solid state amps and LE speakers. Next time you're at an audio show - and San Francisco might be nice for you in August - go listen to a 3 watt amp and Teresonic Ingenium speakers or maybe a Silbatone if they go.

Back to reality - the OP is never going to buy a 1 watt amp or a 3 watt amp - but 10 - 20 is more than most good speakers need - The amps I suggested all have more than enough power. SQ is another issue but at $150 there is only so much one can do.