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Tube Watts vs. Solid State Watts - Any credence?

I've heard numerous times that Tube watts are not the same as Solid State watts when it comes to amps running speakers. For example, a 70 watt tube amp provides more power than a 140 watt solid state amp. Is there any credence to this or just sales talk and misguided listeners? If so, how could this be? One reason I ask is a lot of speakers recommend 50 - 300 watts of amplification but many stores have 35 watt tube amps or 50 watts tube amps running them. More power is usually better to run speakers, so why am I always hearing this stuff about a tube watt is greater than a solid state watt?
djfst
djfst OP
169 posts
 
So a followup question - if 2 amps both have 140 watts, why ever buy the more expensive amp if you are paying for wattage? Most have indicated quantity of wattage, but can the quality of wattage be better in some amps than others? Secondly, how can low powered tube amps sound so much better with some speakers that have amp recommendations much higher? Very few tubes get over 100 watts, yet are very prevalent even on some inefficient speakers. Any thoughts? Just trying to learn more.
oddiofyl's avatar
oddiofyl
3,450 posts
 
I am using a pair of 40w EL34 monos driving a pair of 87dB efficient bookshelves full range with a sub crossed over low just to augment what my speakers can't reproduce and it rocks....plenty of power in my 15 x 17 x 9 room

I had previously used a McCormack DNA 125 which was a great amp no doubt but I don't think I even came close to it's full power even at louder volumes
mapman's avatar
mapman
21,837 posts
 
Do

That's like saying why ever buy the more expensive tv if they are both 52 inch. Or the more expensive car if both have same horsepower engine.

With technology no single spec ever tells the whole story. In fact specs as a whole cannot. No two amps are exactly the same. There many differences some subtle and some profound. Quality being just one general category. Same as with any complex piece of technology.
mikey8811
259 posts
 
I was just about to ask the same question.

I moved from Dynaudio's at 86 dB to Vienna Acoustics Kiss at 89 dB, both into 4 ohms and am looking to change my amp from a Krell FPB 200c to a tube amp - either a Conrad Johnson LP 125 sa or a Cary CAD 120 S Mk 2 both at 120 plus watts vs the high current Krell which doubles down into 400 watts.

Will I get sufficient watts from either of the tube designs? The manufacturer recommends 50-180 watts and received wisdom seems to be that the speakers respond better to solid state watts (what does that mean)?
unsound
7,310 posts
 
It might actually be true that: "...a 70 Watt tube amp provides more power than a 140 Watt solid stat amp." if used on speakers with an impedance of over 16 Ohms.
But, selecting an amp involves more than just this issue, there are other variables to consider.
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