Bass quality can easily be compromised due to lack of power. This is where a low powered amp will show clipping first. It's best to have an amp that has enough power that it nearly never or never clips. I've seen a number of times where what you describe was no more than a lack of power. At normal listening levels you only use a couple watts or so but when a strong bass line comes in that's when your amp can go into clipping and it's easily audible. The power draw during these periods can need 100 times the power of your average listening needs from your amp. I use a 300wpc amp in my 12x17 room with 90db sensitive speakers and feels it's adequate. With A 100wpc amp I'd be clipping for sure.
When you double the output power you only gain 3db which is a bit more than noticeable. So you'd probably want to go to at least 100wpc if you're struggling with 30.
Almost all the time a good SS amp will have better bass than a tube amp. The damping factor of tube amps is typically very low in comparison and it's quite audible.
When you double the output power you only gain 3db which is a bit more than noticeable. So you'd probably want to go to at least 100wpc if you're struggling with 30.
Almost all the time a good SS amp will have better bass than a tube amp. The damping factor of tube amps is typically very low in comparison and it's quite audible.