alper_yilmaz
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All good points...
The interesting thing for me is it is really difficult to deal with a 2-watt amp; I admit. You need to match it with high-efficiency speakers, might have to go into some room treatment, might have to enhance the low end with some sub- or mid-woofers, etc. and still not be happy with it; as it is really in the extreme and difficult-to-deal-with end of the spectrum in terms of power. Therefore, it is not for everyone, and I understand that.
At the other end of the spectrum are these massive systems with almost unlimited power which claim to represent/replicate, almost one on one, a symphony orchestra. I wonder how many symphony concerts the proponents of these systems have been to in their lifetimes.
One of the loudest classical concert halls I have been to so far is that of Berlin Philharmonic's, as the orchestra is very big in size (to support the typical German string arrangements in a sense) and people sit around the orchestra, not in front of it. Therefore, the longest distance from the orchestra is not that much. Even then, the triple forte orchestral passages with all the brass section and the percussions fully blowing are not ear-piercing! So, we are talking about kilowatts of power?
OK, we need some headroom, and sometimes, lots of headroom but as Joman posed in his message, are we in a concert hall really?
Coming back to where I live, New York... The Philharmonic plays at a rectangular concert hall. Unless you have a seat in the very front (which is far from ideal listening conditions, by the way, as it is not an equilateral triangle anymore), the orchestra does not sound very loud! At the very back of the concert hall, actually, the double basses are not heard as punchy and prominent as they should be. And we are talking about one of the top orchestras in the world...
Anyway, most audiophiles claim to replicate a live performance in their systems. I do not know what concerts they go to, but having been on stage since age 10 (I am 48 now), having recorded a numerous album at some high-end studios, and having played to crowds of 10,000 people or crowds that we as musicians outnumbered at times, I really do not know what the ideal sound is.
What I look for in a system, though, is detail (not at an overbearing level), some 3D feel, and reality. Sometimes, what we ask for is more than what actually exists in music, live or studio recorded. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but trying to impose some specs with such claims is preposterous.
Unfortunately, this hobby is a continuum of trial and error (I believe most of the R&D in the industry is in the form of trial and error), and a bit of investment of funds and time. I am sure it will keep on changing for me as well, but I am happy with both of my systems, be it 2 watts per channel, or 50 watts per channel. Anyone who looks for more power is more than welcome to check out my systems before investing in power! :)
Best,
Alper
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