The first watt is the most important watt.
Most of our listening happens at just a few watts of power, yet we obsess over high-powered amplifiers, thinking more watts mean better sound. And while bigger is better from a headroom and linearity standpoint, what really matters is how an amplifier handles that critical first watt—where detail, resolution, and microdynamics live.
In the past, small amps often had an advantage—fewer parts in the signal path, simpler circuits, and a purity that some big amps lacked. But today, it’s not all about size. It’s about design.
A well-designed amplifier, whether low or high power, should get that first watt right. When done properly, that first watt isn’t just power—it’s the foundation of something extraordinary.
Power matters, but finesse matters more.
Get the first watt right, and the rest will follow.
