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"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?
128x128twoleftears

Showing 3 responses by unsound

unsound
7,310 posts
 
A Watt is a Watt is a Watt.
An inch is an inch is an inch.
Despite logic and reason, measurements seem to be gathered by perception.
Tubes are men.
Transistors are women..
unsound
7,310 posts
 
Would that be AC/DC ?
unsound
7,310 posts
 
Distortion usually increases with demand. More Watts = less clipping. Having more Watts, lessens the chances for distortion. On a cost per Watt basis, ss usually offers more Watts for yer dollar than tubes. One could argue that avoiding distortion is preferable to accepting more pleasing distortion. While it's an old fashion notion, and certainly not the end all towards choosing an amplifier, perhaps we should re-consider $ss to $tube Watts as part of this discussion.
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