Having one standard to measure against, and finding differences to whatever the manufacturer stated are valid as long as the same standard is applied. Measuring something else and finding other performance figures can have numerous reasons, some stemming from the core amplifier design, others may be design decisions based on budget, or whatever other reasons. Not all of these do actually affect the actual performance of the amplifier with music. A "derate" will tell you exactly nothing in that regard, and that is why it's so pointless. It's far more important to understand these differences, and how they would impact the actual performance of the amps with music. if you are about informing consumers, then this should be a priority. It's just as pointless as only looking at SINAD. At face value, a 110 SINAD is just as pointless as a 30W derate.It is a proper word at proper place. Manufacturers are obliged to specify the rated power and there are IEC and FTC standards how to measure it. Not that we have "various measurements", that is a lame excuse. If the amplifier fails to fulfil the standards, then the claimed rated power must be lowered to the level when it fulfils the standards. In other words, derated.
I think there is no issue in exposing the shortcomings of the current measurement method, also given the issues we've recently seen with the clearly inadequate B100 amp. For sure, things should be improved to get a clearer picture of what the amps are capable of, but it should also be made clear how these measurements relate to the actual performance of music, similar to how it should be much clearer that SINAD is more a (limited) measure of engineering excellence, and much less something relevant to the audible performance (within reason). And yes, there is no discussion that adequate power delivery is also part of engineering excellence... But I guess with the SINAD craze ASR fell victim to its own success... it's not a bad thing perse, because it means we can repeat this again with other metrics. There just needs to be the willingness to do so.ASR should protect the rights and interests of the customers, but, for some suspicious reasons, it rather seems to protect some manufacturers and OEM assemblers and their marketing and business interests. Why? There seems to be a reason.