"tube watts" versus "solid state watts"


I'm sure you, like me, have seen it written more than once that brand X tube amplifier, rated at 30WPC, sounded more powerful / more authoritative than brand Y solid state amplifier, also rated at 30WPC. Or that brand Z tube amp, only rated at 15W, was comfortably able to drive brand A speakers, because those 15 were tube watts and therefore up to the job. Heck, I think I've even heard the phenomenon with my own ears.

My question is: is there any basis in electrical engineering for this effect? Can we say scientifically what's going on here?
twoleftears

Showing 1 response by mechans

A Watt is a Watt.
Beyond that my hyper technical response is . The measure of an amp of either tube or SS is how much it weighs. The question of where the watt is generated lies somewhere in the transformers . This is of great importance to the success of a tube Amp not the wattage. Indeed the better SS Amp has an enormous power trannie. In fact they weigh a lot if you aren't speaking of those wimpy on/off Chip amps. I will hold my opinions about the chip amp to myself.
So when looking for an amp first decide if you prefer a tube or SS amp by listening to both and ignore all this nonsense about the difficult nature of tube amps, it is pure B.S. Then buy the heaviest one you can afford, and please forget the watts.