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Tube amps and power consumption


A few days ago, I almost bought a Jadis Orchestra, pretty confident that it was among the best tube integrated I could get. Then, I read the specs and I found out its power consumption was 300 watts. That's a lot compared to my actual amp, a SS 100 watts per chanel which uses only 70 watts. My amp is on all day long so I figured that the Jadis consumption was excessive. Do ALL tube amps have such a power consumption?
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gregm
3,395 posts
 
Actually, yr SS at full power should consume over 200W. The 70W is probably consumption when idle.
Do ALL tube amps have such a power consumption?
By "same" I assume you mean "high" power consumption.
Consumption is a matter of the output power of the amp & the circuit design. Generally speaking, you can find SS with relatively low or very low consumption figures... but hardly any tubes. Not to get too technical, 300W looks reasonable for the Jadis....
elevick
2,636 posts
 
Tube amps and Class A rated amps definitely consume more power. You get what you pay for... I'll take a 300 watt consuming Jadis over a 70 watts consumption Technics any day.

Also, keep in mind that you don't want to leave a tube amp on all of the time. Output tubes are expensive to replace and when on all of the time you will be replacing them at least once a year.
dejanm
72 posts
 
Jadis Orchestra is an excellent amp - just go for it and don't think about power consumption. 300W is not to much ...
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ngjockey
1,042 posts
 
That 70W is only for standby. It can draw much more under demand.

My 100W, class A, SS draws 500W at idle that just goes to heat.
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