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Tube power vs Solid state power, how much is enoug

Thinking about getting into tubes. My concern is how much is enough? From what I've seen, tube amp power is, on the whole, lower than solid state. I mean - ain't watts, watts? It's sort of confusing. Not being a big fan of non-dynamic (plannar, which there is nothing wrong with them, just not my cup of tea)speakers, I aim to wind up with either BW802, Legacy Focus/whispers, or the like. Unless I can find another way to achieve full range sound with a tube anp, I'll probably use(and really want to), my Krell with the tube, in a two amp configuration, driving one pair of the above mentioned units.

Shouldn't manufacturers just state voltage development or current ratings, instead of watts? Sure, more folks recognize the term watts, as it relates to power. But if it all comes down to how much voltage/current can be developed, and how quickly, then the term "watts", seems arbitrary. More so wehn you talk about "tube amps".

For the most part, I've long since quit looking at specs and just let my ears do the judging. That seems the best route. Problem with that is my ears usually end up arguing with my wallet, heart, and what is left of my brain. Some of these arguments are frightful. The winner is not always the ears. More times than not, the wallet wins. (not always), but usually. I try to leave the brain out of it as much as possible. Although, in this instance, I need to throw the brain a bone so I ask this question.

Just how do you figure out tube watts vs. solid state?

Please help my poor, ignored, seldom the winner, brain.

Thanks,
the brain
blindjim
blindjim OP
3,092 posts
 
Well, all the comments have merit. I do appreciate them greatly. Thank you.

Learned a lot since I opened this thread. some startling things as well. Like just how much power is actually running the speakers at any given time. Usually less than 20 watts. Also, just how much better good tube amps sound than similarly priced solids.

Hence I am sold on the idea to bi amp. two reasons.

One - don't have to lose my existing solid state amp.
Two - get to enjoy fuller sweeter, more rounded and life like music. That's the ticket, right?

Now just which tube AMP (S)? And which tubes in the tube amp to use? pUSH PULL, FEEDBACK, SELF BIASING, CATHODE FOLLOWER. . . . mAN! wHAT A BUNCH OF STUFF TO DEAL WITH.

PRETTY SURE I'LL GO WITH THE ONE THAT SOUNDS BEST, IN MY PRICE RANGE, AND NEEDS THE LEAST INVOLVEMENT ON MY PART.

Any suggestions, apart from the Laffeyett? Used or new?

Thanks to all.
bartokfan
664 posts
 
I have a Jadis 40 watt intergrated Orchestra Reference, has 4 KT90's. I just built a pr of Seas' Thor's, rated 87db, that is extremely low. The little Jadis has no problem, provided the treble and bass tone controls are given a little boost. Results, Rich bass, clean(no bark) mids, no frothy or "fake" highs. Thus tubes can drive super low sensitive speakers. Provided its a good tube amp. In contrary the big 100 watt Rotel ss amp, 981, sounds like pure Class Grabage on the Thors.
speedball
86 posts
 

Just having picked up a pair of Klipsch RF7's I think this thread is great.
The choices for an amp seem endless......
jeffreybehr's avatar
jeffreybehr
805 posts
 
Blindjim, what'd you end up doing?
.
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,954 posts
 
My 2 cents (like anybody asked...)?

Trying to get disparate amplifier technologies to get along in the same system is challenging to say the least. You'll need some sort of electronic crossover, which is an additional (and audible) building block, and rarely has the correct crossver curves that a passive crossover does. So that will be a real challenge.

The speakers you listed are not that unfriendly to tubes, but beware the B&Ws that list nominal impedance at 8 ohms then wind up actully being 4 ohms in the woofer region, where most of the amplifier power is demanded. Not a good combo for a tube amplifier! The 802 is an example of such a speaker.

I strongly recommend that for any tube amplifier that you choose, contact the manufacturer and see what their experiences with the speaker you choose is. They may have some tips for you.

I also stongly advise you to heed this tip: try and get a speaker that is as efficient as possible! This was mentioned earlier in this thread and the value of this cannot be understated. If you choose a speaker that is 95db, it will require an amplifier of 1/4 the power to be as loud as a given combo with a speaker of 89db. Tube power in particular is difficult to make! So where a speaker of 89 db might need 200 watts in most rooms (I have found that to be the minimum in my room with such a speaker), you will find it much easier to find a musical tube amplifier if you only need 50 watts to make the speakers sing. In 200 watt amps, you can count the ones that actually sound like real music on one hand, and have a finger or two left over (there are no musical transistor amps, BTW...). But at 50 watts its a different story.

So be careful. Otherwise stand ready at the toilet to flush those dollars goodbye.
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