I'm sure there was. I should clarify a bit. I do know what an amp is, and I do have one (I have a 4 channel bridged to two channel HK PA2000 which provides 100 watts each to my Energy RC-70's). However, I want to go full out - a 7 channel amp. The PA2000 is taller than the A1400, and it is far more powerful.

My thing now is what is unique about an amp. Why does one amp 'sound' better than another. Sound is #1 on my priority list, with power second. Though I do know that if not enough power, then sound will not be there. I find my current PA 2000 runs out of steam at higher volume levels, things start getting a bit harsh (like what you described with you Onkyo). I must elaborate though - the volumes it starts to 'clip' are volumes I do not listen to normally as it is very loud. However, even at that volume, I expect and want more (when my son is a teenager, I don't want him wrecking my speakers..... or my amps :D).

I've got a year or so yet anyway before I buy.....unless there is a crazy sale or something

"far more powerful" ?

Power hungry, I would bet..., either that or we're reading it backwards.

How do you figure that the PA2000 is more powerful than the A1400?

If you are really worried about your son maxing out your system and destroying it due to clipping, then take the maximum rated power of your Energies, double it, and that's the amount of power you should look for in an amp.

As to what amp sounds the best, audible differences may arise from the distortion by-products. Some have more odd harmonic distortion components and others may have more even harmonic distortion components. Now as to whether or not these differences are audible, I don't know. I haven't spent any time doing any comparisons.

Remember too that the more sensitive the speaker, the louder it will sound with the same power input.

He could market his class D line of amplifiers as his premium green line and spin some yarn about having all the advantages of class A but earth friendly and charge even more for them.

Am I misreading this? you are saying your bridged H/K @ 100W/Ch is more powerfull than the A1400 @ 200W/ch?

The A1400 is actually better than 200W/ch if used in only 2-channel mode.

Now that sounds like a true audiophile company.

The A1400-8 actually pushes about one horsepower (745W) per channel in two-channel mode on a 15A supply and even higher on a 20A supply without clipping , distortion, compression, or heating up like a toaster. And, you can even put it sideways in a cabinet!

John

I know, I seem to remember 300W/ch in 2 channel and lets not forget the unique ability of all of its power into a single channel for a brief momment.

I was just going with the all channels driven idea as his H/K would be all channels driven since it is bridged