Yes. There is no downside (other than cost, size, weight) to using a bigger amplifier. In fact, using a bigger-than-necessary amplifier for Hi-Fi has been the standard protocol for decades now. That's why people routinely used 100 watt home stereo receivers when they were listening at average power outputs of 0.1 watts.
But your original assertion is incorrect: it is not true that a smaller amplifier is somehow "slower", nor is it true that it less able to control a woofer.
-Gnobuddy
From my perspective, I don't know whether you are correct. All theories don't make much sense to me.
I will have to test it someday.
I will have to test it someday.
I understand. As I said before, this is the problem with trying to use words to describe something very technical, that is best described with mathematics. From the words alone, you can't tell if I'm right, wrong, or a total idiot just making stuff up.
Most advanced technical topics are like this. If someone says "Run very fast, and the ruler in your hand will become shorter", it sounds like complete nonsense. But a hundred and fifteen years ago, Albert Einstein derived the mathematics of his theory of Special Relativity, which showed that this is in fact true; and his mathematics has been verified by actual experiment thousands of times since then. So this apparently nonsensical statement is not nonsense at all - it's a consequence of one of the greatest twentieth-century advances in physics, from one of the smartest people who ever lived.
Back to the woofer damping, in this particular case, studying the solutions to the second order linear differential equation that describes a forced, damped harmonic oscillator will shed a lot of light on the topic, because that is the mathematics that describes what the woofer cone does, and what damping does.
Classical control system theory will also offer many insights. Odd though it might seem at first sight, James Watt and Mathew Boulton's eighteenth-century (1788) "governor" to automatically regulate the speed of his steam engines, an early example of a control system, has a lot in common with an amplifier trying to control the motion of a woofer. 🙂
-Gnobuddy
Gnobuddy, well described, I appreciate it and understand it.In my hi-fi life I rather use power amplifier with lot of power and it is notable
at my listening. I have whole range of different power amplifiers from 20-400W and can confirm that I like my strongest.
Music is very dynamic, what I previously said and you can't predict clipping.
Sometimes I like louder listening, sometimes quieter and when it is loud you should have plenty of power in reserve.
Amplifier with good damping factor can affect the sound, but there are theories that it is not so well with full range speakers.
I will leave that to personal taste.
D-class amplifiers are very efficient, have filters and opposite phase to eliminate PWM from sound.
To my knowledge I can't say will you benefit in better sound with preheated amp.
Energy consumption is not significant comparing to other class of amp's, but in global terms - I will prefer to switch it off.
at my listening. I have whole range of different power amplifiers from 20-400W and can confirm that I like my strongest.
Music is very dynamic, what I previously said and you can't predict clipping.
Sometimes I like louder listening, sometimes quieter and when it is loud you should have plenty of power in reserve.
Amplifier with good damping factor can affect the sound, but there are theories that it is not so well with full range speakers.
I will leave that to personal taste.
D-class amplifiers are very efficient, have filters and opposite phase to eliminate PWM from sound.
To my knowledge I can't say will you benefit in better sound with preheated amp.
Energy consumption is not significant comparing to other class of amp's, but in global terms - I will prefer to switch it off.
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For a break, here is my short 2 cents experience here :
During my pappy days, was told brands & power matters (yep, advice frm audio sales-man/recommends Hi-Fi Mags); gotten a Yamaha Dolby 100w multi-channel theater amp, audio seems fine ~ until not long after it went dead ~ oouch!
Then we met a kind-hearted audio sales - intro us listening to a Marantz plain-jane stereo 50w amp (way much cheaper). Wow... the sweet music SQ from this put our previous Yamaha Dolby 100w multi-channel theater to shame!
Since then, my principle not to bother with price/brand/watts, just what you hear matters (which is as a result of circuit layout engineering & quality parts matters) ~ 50w is all that I need in this lifetime
During my pappy days, was told brands & power matters (yep, advice frm audio sales-man/recommends Hi-Fi Mags); gotten a Yamaha Dolby 100w multi-channel theater amp, audio seems fine ~ until not long after it went dead ~ oouch!
Then we met a kind-hearted audio sales - intro us listening to a Marantz plain-jane stereo 50w amp (way much cheaper). Wow... the sweet music SQ from this put our previous Yamaha Dolby 100w multi-channel theater to shame!
Since then, my principle not to bother with price/brand/watts, just what you hear matters (which is as a result of circuit layout engineering & quality parts matters) ~ 50w is all that I need in this lifetime
This is why I suggested the little TPA3116 amps.
One of my more fun moments...
I had just gotten into the TPA3116 thing, having purchased a couple of them to test. At one point I wanted to run a full power test just to be sure everything would survive it. So, I called down to my building's office and let the super know I would be making some noise for about 5 minutes.
I cranked it up, got a quick power reading from it ... 35w/ch on 8 ohm loads, 48w/ch on 4 ohms. Then I hooked up to speakers, put on "Magic Carpet Ride" which is a curiously good test of both amps and speakers, at full volume. When the song finished I was satisfied that I was good to go... and man was it LOUD!
A few minutes later I went down to the pop machine in our lobby to get some iced tea. One of the other tenants, who I knew to speak to, was sitting there, talking with the Super, and he comments... "Did you hear that idiot blasting Magic Carpet Ride a few minutes ago?" ... "Yeah I heard it. You were here when it happened?" ... "Yep, waiting for my ride".
So, they heard me in the lobby. I live on the 6th floor, half way back the building.
Yeah, 50w/ch is more than enough for most people.
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That's like asking if it's okay to punch a person in the face. You can ask, but you are not supposed to actually do it.
Everyone becomes exposed to marketing hype in their lives.
Some people, for various reasons, succumb to the hype like any addict would.
It gives them a mental "boost", overcomes shortcomings, and gives the manufacturers income - just like a drug dealer.
And while some of the hyped products do live up to their hype, in many cases it's not primarily required for the enjoyment it could provide.
Thus, a 25 watt stereo amp with decent speakers, is satisfying to many, who don't feel the need to show off, brag, or shake the roof.
Manufacturers prey on human weaknesses, always did, always will.
Some people, for various reasons, succumb to the hype like any addict would.
It gives them a mental "boost", overcomes shortcomings, and gives the manufacturers income - just like a drug dealer.
And while some of the hyped products do live up to their hype, in many cases it's not primarily required for the enjoyment it could provide.
Thus, a 25 watt stereo amp with decent speakers, is satisfying to many, who don't feel the need to show off, brag, or shake the roof.
Manufacturers prey on human weaknesses, always did, always will.
For just another break, 2 cents experience ~ part 2:
Years down the road ~ now: That Class B Marantz is kicking well, still sound just like day pappy bought it home.
My own home: avoiding "chunkiness of Hi-Fi" (read- Large floor standers, tens pound/kilo Big box amp, yada yada) & also as a considerate spouse to wifey, put Hi-Fi on earphones, until high quality Class D bought holy-grail into my own house;
Revolution once again for me: Just a tiny TPA3250 with smps driving a pair 6.5" mid-size bookshelf (laws of physics on sound doesnt allow smaller drivers), simplicity & sweet music SQ brought great satisfaction again! Had give way to Alientek D8 (STA326) ~ its DDX direct digital input /audio processing/amplifier control/output stage ~ XMOS spdif/USB interface suits my digital sources better (without any DAC, though SQ is a notch behind TPA325x family)
~ yep, while still keeping to simplicity & sweet music SQ!
Years down the road ~ now: That Class B Marantz is kicking well, still sound just like day pappy bought it home.
My own home: avoiding "chunkiness of Hi-Fi" (read- Large floor standers, tens pound/kilo Big box amp, yada yada) & also as a considerate spouse to wifey, put Hi-Fi on earphones, until high quality Class D bought holy-grail into my own house;
Revolution once again for me: Just a tiny TPA3250 with smps driving a pair 6.5" mid-size bookshelf (laws of physics on sound doesnt allow smaller drivers), simplicity & sweet music SQ brought great satisfaction again! Had give way to Alientek D8 (STA326) ~ its DDX direct digital input /audio processing/amplifier control/output stage ~ XMOS spdif/USB interface suits my digital sources better (without any DAC, though SQ is a notch behind TPA325x family)
~ yep, while still keeping to simplicity & sweet music SQ!
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