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Tube Power vs Solid State Power

I continually hear Tube power is more powerful than Solid State Power. IE; “A 20 watt tube amp’s power is like a 60 watt Solid State Amp’s Power” and so on… Is this true ???

I always think of the “What’s Heavier, a pound of Feathers or pound of Rocks story?” A pound is a pound right ? 
Maybe someone could offer some thoughts and explain if this is true or not. 
Thanks
flasd
knotscott's avatar
knotscott
1,072 posts
 
Tubes distort on odd order harmonics if I recall. Whereas SS distorts on even order which is less desirable to the ears. Thus, some believe the tubes sound better


You're on the right track, but reversed it.  Even order harmonics are natural, and tend to be more tolerable, which is why many prefer tubes.  
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oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
Not true because amplifiers do not put out power to the speakers -- speakers consume power.

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Well for the sake of understanding, ay. I mean do you think an Air conditioner, cools the room, or removes the heat? :-)

Regards
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
This is what we like to call an airtight argument. No two ways around it. Tube watts and solid state watts are not created equal. The only question now is which tends to sound more powerful than the other? Tubes. Hands down. Not even close.

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It has to do with the harmonics and what our ears/brain perceives as pleasant but in fact it is distortion. We hear it as total volume with odd order harmonics where many SS amps are voiced and leave even harmonics in. BRASH, bright, hard all the things feed back, controlled distortion and odd harmonics cure..

Pass is pretty close Watt for Watt in that sense.. Volume for watts burned.. pretty close..

What that WATT sounded like, when it was used, that's a different story.

THEN not all watts are created equal, ay?

Regards
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