Tube AMP or SS

Although I understand electronics very well, electronics and audio are not the same. While those formulas come out fine on paper, they don't sound the same.

I had a 150 watt SS amp that was barely sufficient, now I have a 70 watt tube amp that seems to put out more or equal volume for sure; this is in the same room with the same speakers. Although I can figure an electronic formula, I can not hear an electronic formula.

"Watts are watts, and they are calculated the same way", is absolutely true. It is also true that efficient speakers require fewer watts. While these are electronic facts, "watts are watts" is not an "audio fact". For reasons unknown to me, that apparently can not be explained; "tube watts" are bigger stronger and tougher.

So far you have been given good advice. If you picture the sound in your room like a pot of soup, you will understand it better. Anything you put in the soup will alter the taste a bit. Although separate, if you view amp and pre as one you'll get a better picture of what they contribute to the overall sound in your room. A good amp would be a waste of money. A good tube "integrated" would improve the sound. "Primaluna" integrated is the most "bang for the buck", and that's what I recommend.

In regard to "tube" or "SS", the only way you can find out; is to try tubes.