From mskremote@yahoo.com Mon Jul 02 06:57:23 2012
Subject:Re: Alto amps - Peak Power and RMS

I guess that taking all the limitations of measuring amplifier output on a comparable basis into account there is still no substitute for visting a store and taking the amp or combo for a test run to see if it produces your idea of music at the required volume.  About all the wattage output tells you is that within each manufacturers range the lower wattage amps are not expected to be capable of being as loud as that manufacturer's higher wattage amps - of the same design. Even within one manufacturer's range e.g. Fender, I have found that a 60 watt solid state amp is never as loud as a 60 watt valve amp.  Anyone who expects to get a genuine 400 watt amp/speaker combo from any manufacturer for $300 is dreaming.  As you point out Bruce and others it is how the amp/speaker combination handles transients across the frequency range that matters, and our ears are the only reliable measurement device currently available at the right price to measure this.
     

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