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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
mofojo
2,314 posts
 
The tubes I’ve had sound way fuller at low volumes therefore sounding more fullfilling at low volumes. If you really want to rock out at 100db levels I think you need some watts and some current. I’ve not had high dollar tubes but that is my experience. If I liked 80db or under it would be tubes all day especially if it was not too busy music. 
mofojo
2,314 posts
 
Ohh the one I had that demanded tubes was Klipsch Chorus 2s. They rocked like a mutha but still needed some eq to tame them. The Tekton DIs I had sounded really very awesome with the Cayin A100 I had but only till about 80-85 db then they sounded a mess. 
jomonhifi's avatar
jomonhifi
153 posts
 
I’ve now owned a few SS amps and a few tube amps…. Mind you, I now own a really hi-end tube pre-amp and power amp set and I’m loving the tube sound…

I compared the $35k Gryphon to the $20k ARC and my ear goes to the ARC amp every time… 

you listen and learn… no right answer…right boys…?
charles7
117 posts
 
It isn't true that 20 watts are 20 watts. One may be 40 volts at 0.5 amp, the other 10 volts at 2 amps. But does it matter to the sound? And does the answer to that question depend on the speaker (setting aside cone versus electrostatic design)?

ihcho's avatar
ihcho
612 posts
 
Comparison on my amps.
1. 80 Watts class A SS amp by Junsgon
2. 125 Watts class A SS amp by Plinius.
3. 150 Watts class D amp by ARC
2 > 1 > 3 in loudness.
I will get a 100 Watts tube amp in a month or so, so I will see how this amp compares with #1 and #2 in loudness.
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