Tube Watts vs. Solid State Watts - Any credence?

Mapman, my point is that without further information one doesn't know whether to view a "good" dynamic headroom spec as the glass being half full or being half empty, so to speak.

And my perception over the years and decades is that a "good" dynamic headroom spec often (although not always) correlates with lesser quality (and less expensive) designs.

Is there an amp not capable of putting out more power cleanly for a shorter period of time?

Most well designed class A amps would be good examples, as Ralph indicated. In fact with a class A amp, as I understand it, the more power is continuously delivered to the load, the less power the amp will dissipate internally, and therefore the cooler it will run internally. Which suggests the possibility that in some cases a class A amp might even be able to deliver slightly more power continuously than briefly.

Re your last paragraph, I would certainly concur.

Best regards,
-- Al

"Class A 500 wt/ch tube amp?"

That should do nicely if you can afford the power bills. Doesn't Ralph have one of those?

I have a 500 w/ch Class D amp. Class D is a different beast. It is designed to deliver the power only as needed as I understand it. That's what enables it to be small powerful and energy efficient. It never breaks a sweat or sounds strained at ANY volume, is as musical as anything I hear. It also soft clips to boot I believe. I've never heard anything less than lovely come out of these.

I'd compare that to my old Hitachi SR804 Class G 50 w/ch amp that advertised 100 w/ch headroom as I recall. This was quite midfi at best in comparison but a very nice looking unit with a very good tuner. My conclusion is that switching technologies that enable such things have come a long way and are now capable of doing things as well as most anyone might expect or need.

I also have a 60 w/ch Class D integrated with next generation Class D technology in it. htis does not go as loud but does exceptionally well, the best 60 watts out of an integrated amp I have ever heard by far.

Tell us, once more, about Ohm speakers mapman
It's been at least 2 days
Yawn.........................

Al and Ralph ... help me with the terminology. When I think of headroom, I think of an amp's ability to handle short term dynamic transients, which is part of real music ... especially classical music.

To be more specific, my tube amp has a 1040 joule power supply. In my "un-technical" way, I interpret that as "head room" because my amp presumably can handle short term power demands that exceed its rated power output of 150 wpc, subject to FR, speaker impedance and tap output impedance. Am I mixing and matching terms and concepts here??