Tube v. Solid State / Analog v. Digital

They are all subject to measurement, but what many have found out is that the measurements do not give a complete picture of what something sounds like. It looks as if a different basis for the measurements still needs to be discovered as far as our goals are concerned. Many of the basics still hold true, but as far as certain distortion levels, RMS watts and perhaps even sine wave readings, they do not seem to hold as linear a relationship with audible performance as they were once thought to. Advancement in this area will most likely involve furthering our knowledge of the human senses and the brain. Until then let your ears be the judge as these tests will only tell you what you can already hear and comprehend.

I agree with Dekay. The best uses for a manufacturers specification sheet is to see the pictures and read the physical dimensions to know if it will fit in your space.

After that, just listen with your ears and your heart. In the end you that must be happy with your choice or find that it gets turned on less and less. At that point the measurements are not much consolation, even if they appear perfect on paper.

Dekay and Albert are right on. I would just add that these topics have been heavily covered in previous threads and posts, sometimes heatedly I might say, and you might do a search for them. Good Luck. Craig.