Tube Pre and SS Power? Or the reverse?

I was in @inna ‘s camp until I switched to tube amps… very different… more watts matter far less and more nuanced bass… less simplistic slam.

ghdprentice, I agree, but when I switch my VAC from ultralinear to triode mode, that halves the power, the difference is striking - ultralinear is so much better even at low volume. Well, with my particular speakers, of course.

@inna

When I switch my Audio Research Ref 160s from ultra linear to triode mode (also halving the power) I cannot hear the difference... except in the added warmth and realism. No change in dynamics or loudness.  I am astonished every time I do it. 

I originally went from a Pass 350 wpm to this 140 wpm amp. This sounded much more real... I quickly switched it to triode mode 70wpc and prefer it without reservation to the 350wpc Pass. 

I’m not sure exactly what that implies. 

ghdprentice, in triode mode you have 70wpc and I have 33wpc, so maybe that's one of the reasons, 33wpc just not enough for my speakers to sound right. I don't know, tubes are mysterious devices.

Yes, 33 wpc is getting down there. I have always heard that tube watts are "stronger" or more powerful than SS watts. I figured this meant that there was a slight difference. My experience is nothing like that... it is like comparing completely different things... with completely different rules (of thumb). But ultimately, yes there is too little. But, in general,  tube watts are tremendously more powerful than solid state watts. I am sure the supporting transformers and such also make a difference. The kind of sound is completely different as well. Even if you get a really warm solid state amp, with great slam... you''ll still get much more nuanced bass with tubes. As you get more powerful ss vs tube amps you get very different benefits... they don't start sounding the same. A broad generalization of course.