That "tube sound" and power ratings


This might be a newbie question since I've only begun researching tube technology. I understand to some degree the theory that tube sound is partly related to second harmonic distortion vs. the more prevalent odd order harmonic characteristics of SS. If "tubies" prefer that sound (I might be one of them), does it make sense to carefully match an amplifier's power rating such that it is NOT TOO HIGH for the speakers it's driving? If the rating is too high won't that mean lower distortion and hence less tube sound for a given volume for those speakers than a lower power tube amp (in general that is - I realize not all Watts are the same). So won't a high wattage tube amp have less of the special tube sound "tubies" like at their preferred listening volume?

I realize I'm likely missing something here. Set me straight!
hazyj

Showing 2 responses by wolf_garcia

If you have relatively efficient speakers (89 to 90db or around there) and a relatively powerful amp that's not one of those tiny wattage esoteric gizmos, you can stop worrying and simply enjoy the damn thing. If the amp doesn't hum or explode and is made by a company that isn't insane, and it sounds good, you're only going to be using about 5 watts most of the time. Seriously...I use a classic old school (but new design with better than old amp innards) push pull amp with something like 65 watts per side and, fortunately, all of the watts sound great...who knew? One thing experienced guitar players have learned from tube amps is they all sound somewhat different from each other, and often WAY different based on output tubes, input tubes, yo mama...etc...but reasonably well made hifi tube stuff often defies the techno bullshit schools of design trendiness and simply works. Try one.
I've said it before, but it bears repeating even if I'm the only one who believes it: Tube amps make you a better person, they display signs of life in their glowing hot little selves, and SS amps that just sit there like a metal lump of "meh" are far less interesting regardless of how they sound, unless they have some sort of fluctuating meter on them in which case I give 'em a pass (no pun intended). A home run amp I heard recently was a Rogers (there are others) that had tubes AND a meter...a goal for all tube amps to strive for.