I owned a pair of B&W 802 Matrix III's for several years. Amplifier power ratings aside, solid state amps control woofers on power hungry, moderately large loudspeakers such as the 802's better than their tube equivelants. I drove my B&W's with a Threshold T-200 SS amp very nicely. I too toyed with the idea of changing to a tube amp and after a dealer listening session using a tube amp rated at 80 watts / channel, it was instantly clear that although there was much to admire about the overall qualities of the tubes, the woofers in the B&W's were soft and unfocused compared to use with my Threshold. The best situation for someone who cannot afford or does not have the room for a powerful tube amp - they are big! - I recommend a tube preamp and a solid state amp which will give you the tube sound you desire with the bass control necessary for best enjoyment.
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
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
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- 28 posts total
- 28 posts total