Does a bigger wattage mean it plays better?

[hybridauth_Google_110775647439631954142]

I recently read the What HiFi review for the new Moon Neo Ace. I was rather impressed with the review. However, the tech specs read that the Moon pumps 50W into 8 ohms. When I compare that to a similar all in one amp,like the Cyrus Lyric, it states that the Cyrus pumps 230W into 6 ohms. So, my question to the forum is, if I wanted an amp to power a 4 ohm (impedance) speaker like the Dynaudio Emit 20, which amp would be better in driving this speaker, the Moon or the Cyrus? Am i wrong to assume that a 50W rated amp cannot play music as loud as a 230W rated amp?

Appreciate the kind sharing of advice and knowledge. Many thanks in advance

 

[CnoEvil]

I'm afraid it's not as simple as that (imo).

"Playing better" is somewhat subjective and is often dependent on things like:

Topology. ie. Class A/B/AB/D/G

Solid State or Valve.

Synergy with speakers

Quality of components

Robustness of power supply ie. how close can it get to doubling its power as impedance halves.

I own the "best" amp I've heard under 10k GBP....and it's 35W into 8 Ohms.

There is no substitute for getting out there and listening to different solutions.

 

[nopiano]

A 50 watt amp is quieter at maximum output, yes, but the chances of you ever using more than ten watts in a normal room is slight. An average of one watt is a lot!

If you listen to excellent recordings of demanding material - I tend to think of the grand piano reproduced at realistic levels as demanding, but heavy rock is doubtless too - in a large space, then the absolute power output will matter. Otherwise, anything north of 50 watts, from a decently designed amp should suffice.

There is much more to this topic than I have time to write, but you can google/research plenty on dynamic power performance into dffering loads - 1 ohm to 8 ohms. Or read some technical reviews such as in Stereophile or HiFi News.

Welcome!

 

[nopiano]

Hadn't seen Cno's reply when writing mine. I dont disagree with anything he has said, and this emphasises his point that it isnt that simple!

I tried to make it simple, which is harder than it seems!

 

[davedotco]

Primarily because it raises so many different issues

Firstly, are the specs accurate, ie are the manufacturers being honest or are they 'massaging' the results?

Then, are they measuring their amplifiers or speakers in the same way?

Does their amplifier sustain power into a difficult load (important if you want to play loud)?

Does the amplifier handle large 'peaks', for some music that is very important?

Speaker sensitivity is very important too, 50 watts into a pair of sensitive Q Acoustics 2050i will sound louder than 230 watts into a pair of ATC SCM19.

There is a big difference betweem 'level' and 'loudness', it is important you understand that.

You also need to investigate the relationship between amplifier peak power, continuous power and dynamic range

The simple answer should be that the more powerful amplifier will play louder but there are so manyvariations and exceptions that is is just not that simple.

 

[Al ears]

Hadn't seen Cno's reply when writing mine. I dont disagree with anything he has said, and this emphasises his point that it isnt that simple!

I tried to make it simple, which is harder than it seems!

Quite agree, lots of watts per channel is never the ultimate aim.

Says he with a 25.2 wpc power amp ;-) , it's Class A though.