Quote Originally Posted by Coyote-X
When I can turn the JVC up to around 70/80 volume level before it starts to hurt my ears, while with the Sony I can manage about half, depending on the music, before it does the same. Lacking any equipment to actually tell how much power they're both putting out at those volume levels, can anybody tell me if this is because the Sony is distorting sooner than the JVC? Or could it actually putting out more power at a lower volume setting, despite being rated for less?
If the amp can actually get louder without noticeable distortion, it has more useable power. I'm guessing the Sony runs out of room at 1/2, lots of amps do this. The indication on the volume knobs is not a useful comparison. They're very arbitrary in determing the reference level for dB's. (it's not actually dB's because they couldn't predict how loud the amp would play with every possible speaker).
Quote Originally Posted by Coyote-X
I'm somewhat confused as to which one I should use - the JVC because it can go 'louder' on the dial, or the Sony, and just be careful with the levels? Not being experienced, I am having a hard time telling whether it's just distorting or whether it's actually louder. Could it be that the decibel level on the JVC is actually higher but it just doesn't 'sound' as loud because it's still outputting clearly?
Use whichever one sounds better at the listening volumes you most often enjoy. Being louder doesn't mean better, and distortion isn't really a problem in most amplifiers until they're pushed to the limit. You should be able to tell very easily if distortion is ruining the sound.
Trust your ears.