Help: WPC for my speakers

The 2010s2 and 3010s2 are close in price. However, I use the 2010s2 to power Harbeth SHL5s and would not want more power. It is a great match. Also, B&Ws are really love or hate thing for most audiophiles. To mr they are great.

Yes I agree people love or hate BW. I heard a 10000 BW floorstanders with classe amp and Pre. It really dropped me in the music but no sound stage.

How would you describe the 2010s presentation. I do think I need 100 watts to get the tight cracking bass I heard in there entry level system audio.

If you want good imaging, you need to consider the whole system. Every piece contributes to it and any one piece can wreck it for the whole system. If you are looking for an amp with good imaging, you have to look beyond power. You need power for other things like bass, for a good image you need purity. For example, SET's are consided some of the best imaging amps you can get. They definately make the least power of any type of amp. Generally speaking, if you want a good image and big stage, look for amps with low or 0 feedback, very low distortion, high quality parts with a fairly simple design and in some cases balanced operation. Some good examples of SS amps that image exceptionally well are, Ayre, Pass and BAT. They each have a different sound, but share some of the same features design wise.

In your price range, you may be able to get something like a good used Ayre AX-7. For what you're looking to do, its in a completely different league than something fron Naim or Exposure. And not just the amp portion, but the preamp portion as well. The preamp is at least as important as the amp.

From my experience, the sound signature of the 2010s2 is a lush, comfortable and hazy treble. All the details are there but are "misty." I have the amp paired with Harbeth SHL5 which has very good bass. The 2010s2 has no problem driving them to very high levels with the deepest bass I have had. But, if your speakers don't have deep, rich bass it will be tough to create it with amp selection.

I have found that all speakers are a trade off. They do some things well, others not as well. I try to enjoy each pair for what they do well and try to ignore the shortcomings.

I have to disagree about amps effect on speakers. On my old speakers the bass using a NAD 326bee was nothing like the old exposure. The exposure produced. Very tight and deep bass that imaged very well. The bass was no where near as tight and did not image very well on the NAD. Yes they are in total different leagues but I have seen an amp greatly affect bass and image.