This is where I cannot make sense. If the 3808 is good for 103-105 db on the meter then it is only putting out:
95 db/1w/m
98 db/2w/m
101db/4w/m
104db/8w/1m
This means that the 3808 is putting out about 9 watts before it no longer sounds good. What am I missing here. This receiver should sound good up to 115db and above. Perhaps the readings were taken at a distance from the source. If the reading of 105 db was taken at 4 metres then this would equate to 111 db at 2 metres and 117 db at 1 metre. These readings would then make sense.
Like you said the distance are off, I am not measuring at 1M away, I am measuring at my listening position nearly 3M away, big difference as you noted.
A receiver being able to sound good upto its' limits has a lot more to do with the source than the amp itself. I find many CD's start to sound bad in that 95-100 db range in my room. I think I've been able to get Dire Straights-Brothers in Arms up to 106-107 before it starts to degrade, all this measured at my listening position ~9ft away.
