Amplifier power recomendation

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Hi ... Have a pair of old B&W DM2 3-way transmission monitor speakers connected to a Marantz CD63 MKII K1 sig cd player and a Pioneer A400 amp

Many have suggested that the amp needs to be replaced as it is the 'weak link' in my system, so have convinced the wife that a good second hand vintage/classic amp may be better (cannot afford the newer stuff, so always looking for a good 2nd hand bargain) and will keep the pioneer A400 amp for a 2nd system in our bedroom

Have read the forums and may be interested in the older pioneer SA 8800 or 9800, or Yamaha CA 1010 or 2010, or Technics SU 8600 or Kenwood KA 907, KA600 or 650 or something similar (searching for a good priced amp in good condition)

the speaker specs for the DM2 speakers recommend an amp with true RMS output of between 25 watts and 60 watts

If I get an amp of 100 watts or more which exceeds the recomended 60 watts, would I get a better quality sound than the pioneer A400 or is it not advised as there may be a possibilty of damaging the tweeters (I do not listen to music very loud)

the specs of the pionner A400 are as follows:

DIN Continuous power output (both channels driven at 1 kHz)
85W + 85W into 4 Ohms. 1% THD
60W + 60W into 8 Ohms. 1% THD

Continuous power output (both channels driven at 20 Hz to 20kHz)
70W + 70W 4 Ohms, 0.05% THD
50W + 50W 8 Ohms, 0.03% THD

Dynamic power output (on EIA dynamic test signal)
135W/100W/70W into 2 Ohms /4 Ohms /8 Ohms

I did come accross an article which is very technical (for me) and would need some advice/clarification

http://sound.westhost.com/tweeters.htm

thanking in advance
 
You are more likely to damage your speakers driving them with an amp that is not powerful enough as distortion is what usually damages a speaker. Of course any speaker will be damaged by turning up the volume too loud!

The most important thing is the efficiency of the speaker (3db less efficient will need twice the power for the same volume) and the impedence (most amps are rated at 8ohms, smaller speaker impedence values will have greater power).

Most B&W speakers like a bit of power though!
 

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