I have always had a multi channel amp since I made the jump from stereo to surround sound. My first 2 receivers had pre amp outs on them and then I finally bought a pre pro. 4 of 5 speakers are towers. I did try to run just the receiver, an Intrgra, without the amp once but the receiver just wouldn't push the towers properly. The receiver actually had a higher wattage rating than the amp I had at the time. Just my personal experience.
When others post questions like is it worth it to do this, the answer I see most is no because doubling the power only gives about a 3db increase in sound. From what I understand, the specs are usually tested with signal generators. The reason I think it is usually a good idea is because of the more power in reserve for demanding peaks. Closely matching the amp's power ratings to what the speakers can handle.
I base this idea from an experience I had at a high end stereo shop a few years back. They had set up a MacIntosh 2 channel stereo set up with an $83,000 price tag. The system included a stereo pre amp, tuner, single disc CD player, 2 monoblock amps rated at 1200 watts each and 2 large floor standing speakers that had 2 woofers in the bottom, 2 rows of midranges and 1 row of tweeters that were all just like voice coils all the way up to the top. I remember they were atleast 6' tall. They put on a demonstration of this system. It was just set up beside the sales counter and not in any kind of a treated room, just had a couple chairs about 10' away from it. The open area was about 30'X50'. The sound was incredible. The CD they played was a female vocalist with a piano accompaniment. They didn't crank it up too loud, just loud enough to sound good. It basically sounded like she was singing in your ear. The amps had watt meters on them. Sustained power level was only about 10 watts but the peaks hit between 300-400 watts. No drums or bass just piano.
I don't know what the specs on the speakers were such as impedence or sensitivity. Though this equipment was way out of my price range, how would this relate to the average mid fi system if at all? If it would differ, how? Just looking for some knowledgable opinions.
When others post questions like is it worth it to do this, the answer I see most is no because doubling the power only gives about a 3db increase in sound. From what I understand, the specs are usually tested with signal generators. The reason I think it is usually a good idea is because of the more power in reserve for demanding peaks. Closely matching the amp's power ratings to what the speakers can handle.
I base this idea from an experience I had at a high end stereo shop a few years back. They had set up a MacIntosh 2 channel stereo set up with an $83,000 price tag. The system included a stereo pre amp, tuner, single disc CD player, 2 monoblock amps rated at 1200 watts each and 2 large floor standing speakers that had 2 woofers in the bottom, 2 rows of midranges and 1 row of tweeters that were all just like voice coils all the way up to the top. I remember they were atleast 6' tall. They put on a demonstration of this system. It was just set up beside the sales counter and not in any kind of a treated room, just had a couple chairs about 10' away from it. The open area was about 30'X50'. The sound was incredible. The CD they played was a female vocalist with a piano accompaniment. They didn't crank it up too loud, just loud enough to sound good. It basically sounded like she was singing in your ear. The amps had watt meters on them. Sustained power level was only about 10 watts but the peaks hit between 300-400 watts. No drums or bass just piano.
I don't know what the specs on the speakers were such as impedence or sensitivity. Though this equipment was way out of my price range, how would this relate to the average mid fi system if at all? If it would differ, how? Just looking for some knowledgable opinions.
but I prefer her to be up front when she is singing and from a CD. 
