Beyond the fact that tube amps clip softer than solid state: There's the fact that their distortion when driven hard is composed more of even order harmonics, than SS's predominiately odd order(much more disturbing to our senses). Then there's the fact that(generally speaking) the filter caps found in tubed amps store more Joules than SS amps, and can supply higher instantaneous energy when transients require it. Part of that relates to the much higher voltages at which tubed circuits function. Then(in some amps) there's capacitor construction/speed to be considered. Some info: (http://www.wyetechlabs.com/links/articles/energystorage.html)
"tube watts" versus "solid state watts"
I'm sure you, like me, have seen it written more than once that brand X tube amplifier, rated at 30WPC, sounded more powerful / more authoritative than brand Y solid state amplifier, also rated at 30WPC. Or that brand Z tube amp, only rated at 15W, was comfortably able to drive brand A speakers, because those 15 were tube watts and therefore up to the job. Heck, I think I've even heard the phenomenon with my own ears.
My question is: is there any basis in electrical engineering for this effect? Can we say scientifically what's going on here?
My question is: is there any basis in electrical engineering for this effect? Can we say scientifically what's going on here?
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- 20 posts total
- 20 posts total