How do tube Watts compare to SS Watts?


I have Theil 2.2 speakers, which have a low sensitivity (86dB), but I would like to get an intergrated tube amp. Or even all tube. But I don't know how many tube Watts I'll need to drive the Theils. My guesstimate is @ 50wpc for intergrated tube amps, but that could be wildly off. Are their mathematical conversion formulas? Second, if there is a rough range, might you be kind enough to suggest a few worthy candidates that, wheather new or pre-listened, are under $1,000 USD (e.g., Cayin model xxx). Thank you most kindly.
rascal52240

Showing 1 response by newbee

Your real question should be "Can I drive my Theil 2.2's with a modest sized tube amp?"

There is a great deal of interaction between an amp and a speaker. A speaker with minimal impedence drooping to or below 4 ohms are not good candidates for anything much less than a high power tube amp. A speaker with an impedence curve that has big swings (as opposed to being relatively flat) may not be good with most any tube amp.

But apart from that, assuming that your speakers are any easy load with an 86db efficiency I'd want at least 80 watts with tubes and 100 to 200 with most SS unless they were really high current amps.

Watts are watts. Tubes sound better than SS when they clip and its more subtractive. SS just sounds crappy when they clip.