What should i look for when purchasing an amplifier?

[GoodHiFiUser]

Now this thread might sound familiar from the title but i hope that the rest of this post will not. Through out my jourey in Hi-Fi before ASR, it was difficult finding useful piece of information on what to actually buy. Because most amplifiers sounded good or where not appreciated enough in community. Once i learned how to read pass human bias and get to the bottom i purchased my first amplifier the Harman Kardon HK990. Oh boi what a beast it was, it could drive my speakers to its limits, it got warm yes but it got loud as well :3. My next upgrade was the Primare A32+PRE+DAC from the series. I immediately noticed HK990 DAC limitations, upgrade in raw power (150 watt in 8 ohm vs 250 watt in 8 ohm) and the total power consumption from 1000 to 2000 watt. Last, increase in weight. (The weight should not be less then 25 kg)

Based of that journey, what i learned is that the most useful specification to look at is, weight and total power consumption. As these 2 rarely are faked and also indicate imo the raw power and grib over speakers an amplifier will have. My question is, would you agree? If not what other specs are useful in an amplifier spec sheet?

 

[MaxwellsEq]

My question is, would you agree?

No

most useful specification to look at is, weight and total power consumption.

Only possibly true in Class A. Absolutely not true for Classes D G H

If not what other specs are useful in an amplifier spec sheet?

Noise figure
Frequency Response
Gain
Consistent behaviour with complex loads
Recovery behaviour after impulse
Distortion
Power (should probably be > 300W into 4 Ohm)

 

[GoodHiFiUser]

Noise figure
Frequency Response
Gain
Consistent behaviour with complex loads
Recovery behaviour after impulse
Distortion
Power (should probably be > 300W into 4 Ohm)

Where can i find these points you mention in a spec sheet. As i do not understand every specification in it.

 

[MaxwellsEq]

Where can i find these points you mention in a spec sheet. As i do not understand every specification in it.

If the amplifier you investigate does not have these, be sceptical about buying it.

 

[Mojo Warrior]

1) Look for the features you need

2) Then look at specifications

3) Try to determine reliability

 

[GoodHiFiUser]

If the amplifier you investigate does not have these, be sceptical about buying it.

On this picture, where is Recovery behavior after impulse. As its the first time i hear of it