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Power output of tube amps compared to solid states

I'm having a hard time trying to figure out how tube amp power output relates to solid state power output. I've been looking at the classifieds for tube amps and I see lots of tube amps with 50w or 60w output, but nothing close to the 250w output typical of solid state amps.

So I have no idea what type of tube amp is required for my set up, right now I'm using totem forests with a required power rating of 150w-200w at 8ohms. The bass is so powerful on these that I have the sub crossover set to 40hz.

My question is, are tube amps so efficient that 50w from a tube sounds like 150w from a solid state? Or will 50w output from a tube severely limit how loud I can play my speakers? If so, are tubes usually meant to be driving super-high efficiency speakers?

I had previously tried a tube pre-amp with a solid state power amp (both musical fidelity) and didn't like the results because the imaging suffered greatly, even though the music sounded nicer from a distance. Now I want to try a solid state pre-amp (bryston) with a tube power amp (no idea which brand to look at), but I don't know how much power output I need or if it will even be possible with my speakers. Does anyone know what I would require?
acrossley

Showing 6 responses by emorrisiv

emorrisiv
313 posts
 
This is a great thread. My personal experience as a trained musician and not a scientist is that class A has always sounded "bigger",more powerful and more accurate(I could also say "musical" but I don't like to use that term).
I remember back in the 70s hearing a (200rms) GAS Ampzilla with some Energy speakers. I wasn't moved.We then heard the same speakers with a little 10watt class A Bedini and it blew the Ampzilla away in every way. That was a learning experience that has always come back to me when I audition amps.I hear tube amps similarly to SS amps.
Could someone talk of Triode PP vs Ultralinear? Since they are frequently the same amp being able to work in either mode.

Now what I really want to know is will Ralph's M60 work with my Acoustats! (with zeros of course).

just having fun

e
emorrisiv
313 posts
 
I wonder if GE performed these tests to determine how airline passengers would react to their jet engines noise inside the airplane. I know that flying is so much easier with noise canceling headphones;the noise is very fatiguing.

just a thought

e
emorrisiv
313 posts
 
Angela, I have stopped all my subscriptions because of the well known problems that I won't go into here. If you have a URL or a PDF you can send me that would be great.
I used to read TAS religiously when it was a "underground" rag,but it has gone the way of the dodo bird.IMHO
Stereophile is much worse.

e
emorrisiv
313 posts
 
What a incredible collection of very high-tech posts! You guys lost me at the first page of the string.I guess all the music I have been listening to while trying to follow along has put me into a brain overload.
I own Acoustat 2s with a really old tube preamp and a old ss power amp.This seems to be a pretty good combination, though I have to say I look forward trying out a tube mono block setup.
I will say that my experience is that tubes sound more alive and real to me.IMHO goes without saying,s
ince I have no where near the knowledge of you guys.I bow to your expertise.

Ralph: Will your 60watt OTLs work (with zeros) or do I need to save up more for your 140watt monsters?

e
emorrisiv
313 posts
 
I have heard them with tubes and they make magic.SS is surely the norm, but I have used a 60 watt Arcam SS amp and they were not bad,not as good as with the 120 watt Hafler but not bad. This made me wonder about the 60 watt tube OTL with zeros.
What I have found with these speakers is;the better you feed them (quality that is not quantity)the better they sound.

cheers

e
emorrisiv
313 posts
 
no doubt at all
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