2. amps-preamps
  3. 128749-92204

Tube Watts Vs. Soild-State Watts?

I am considering replacing a large solid-state amplifier with a decent sized tube amp, and was wondering what I may be giving up/gaining by making the change? My speakers are quite sensitive, about 98dB. I love the dynamics and bass control the big SS amp provides, but I would like to get more resolution and detail out of my music. I don't play music at loud volumes, but I do enjoy decent listening levels. Any info appreciated.
333jeffery
sfall
346 posts
 
" The tube amp that I am looking at is about 80wpc single-ended class A. My current amp is solid-state 400wpc class AB. My speakers are Tekton Design Double Impacts. My previous experience with tube amps was mixed, as the amps had some characteristics I liked, but were not very dynamic. I like the sound of my solid-state amp, but am wondering if I could get more detail out of my music by going to a tube amp."

Try to find an ARC VT100, or a pair Quicksilver V4 mono's. That should take care of the weak dynamics.

georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
The tube amp that I am looking at is about 80wpc single-ended class A
Your not going to find a one tube single ended triode at 80w unless you get one that uses the 833 tube.
Or it’s going to have to be a paralleled tube set using a pair of these tubes 211,845,805,GM70,VT4C

These 2 x GM70’s in set will give you 45w.
http://www.tubeguru.eu/poweramplifiers-/gm-70-pse-triode-parallel/

A paralleled pair 13E1 in set will get to 70w
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/cymer/2.html
Cheers George
kalali's avatar
kalali
1,977 posts
 
I seriously doubt if the referenced single tube "transmitter" tube was designed for wideband audio reproduction. Sounds (no pun intended) like a component used for (tele)communication applications. Curios to hear more about it.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 
NAT Audio uses a Phillips QB 5/1750 tetrode to generate 80 watts from a single tube. 
Charles 
333jeffery OP
122 posts
 
Yep, I went ahead and bought the NAT Transmitter amp. I'll have to go on Ebay and get some spare QB5/1750 tubes for it. NAT equipment looks very impressive, I hope the sound is as good. My solid-state amp was very dynamic, but somewhat lacking in detail. We'll see if the tube amp can fix that.
More to discover