"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
Doug Kanter wrote:
"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
RG wrote:
I'd give a good hard look at this:

http://www.nadelectronics.com/hifi_r...EE_framset.htm

It's nominally rated lower in power than what you've specified, but
don't let that concern you. NAD has always been very conservative when
rating their power amps, and have an outstanding reputation for
considerable headroom in their amplifiers, which is really what defines
an amplifier's ability to deliver musical dynamic peaks without
clipping. I currently own two NAD component power amps as well as an
NAD preamp/tuner, used for various satellites around the house and for
a system in my home office. My main system in my living room is powered
by a Yamaha DSP-A1 AV integrated amplifier. NAD has always produced
high quality audio components that are short on frivolous features and
long on value and performance. Serious stuff, not a toy, and you won't
find it at your local Best Buy or Circuit City.

To find what you're looking for, you really need to spend some time in
a good high-end audio store, which are getting hard to find all the
time. There are other manufactures out there that stil produce this
kind of stuff, but I believe I'd start with an NAD dealer, and get his
thoughts.

Thanks. I don't need tremendous power to drive my speakers.

Actually, you do, but we won't go into that now. High current designs
like NAD's are just what the doctor ordered.


Uh, the unit I have now, a Yamaha RX-770, drives my set of speakers
beautifully at all levels to which I listen to music, and when I crank her
up, she still performs without any discernable distortion, or at least
distortion I can here. The unit's spec sheet says it pumps out 85 watts
across 8 or 6 ohms at .019% to .038% THD. Magnepan says that's about
right.

Perhaps our music tastes are different. My preference is for baroque and
classical, especially chamber music.

OK. But, headroom is still important. You'd be surprised how much extra
power is needed for surges produced by three or four basses in a classical
piece.