Tube power vs Solid state power, how much is enoug


Thinking about getting into tubes. My concern is how much is enough? From what I've seen, tube amp power is, on the whole, lower than solid state. I mean - ain't watts, watts? It's sort of confusing. Not being a big fan of non-dynamic (plannar, which there is nothing wrong with them, just not my cup of tea)speakers, I aim to wind up with either BW802, Legacy Focus/whispers, or the like. Unless I can find another way to achieve full range sound with a tube anp, I'll probably use(and really want to), my Krell with the tube, in a two amp configuration, driving one pair of the above mentioned units.

Shouldn't manufacturers just state voltage development or current ratings, instead of watts? Sure, more folks recognize the term watts, as it relates to power. But if it all comes down to how much voltage/current can be developed, and how quickly, then the term "watts", seems arbitrary. More so wehn you talk about "tube amps".

For the most part, I've long since quit looking at specs and just let my ears do the judging. That seems the best route. Problem with that is my ears usually end up arguing with my wallet, heart, and what is left of my brain. Some of these arguments are frightful. The winner is not always the ears. More times than not, the wallet wins. (not always), but usually. I try to leave the brain out of it as much as possible. Although, in this instance, I need to throw the brain a bone so I ask this question.

Just how do you figure out tube watts vs. solid state?

Please help my poor, ignored, seldom the winner, brain.

Thanks,
the brain
blindjim

Showing 1 response by exertfluffer

The basic deal is about half the tube watts vs SS watts for control/Clipping on the speakers. If your speakers Clip at 100w with a strong SS amp(not cheezy piece), you can figure clipping at about the same output with a 50watt tube amp, or thereabouts.
Meaning you can get away with half the tube watts you normally need with SS before clipping sets in, from my experiences. The reason is that tubes are more forgiving and rounded off at the extremes. SS amps go into hard clipping, and are not forgiving. Not exactly sure how to explain that correctly.
Either way, you can get into more distortion with a tube amp, and not clip/damage the speakers. If you used to use a 100watt amp. I like to think you can get nto a 50watt tube amp and be fine....if your speakers are good with those numbers sensitivity-wise for overall output/volume