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Tube Watts vs. Solid State Watts - Any credence?

I've heard numerous times that Tube watts are not the same as Solid State watts when it comes to amps running speakers. For example, a 70 watt tube amp provides more power than a 140 watt solid state amp. Is there any credence to this or just sales talk and misguided listeners? If so, how could this be? One reason I ask is a lot of speakers recommend 50 - 300 watts of amplification but many stores have 35 watt tube amps or 50 watts tube amps running them. More power is usually better to run speakers, so why am I always hearing this stuff about a tube watt is greater than a solid state watt?
djfst

Showing 3 responses by inna

inna
7,913 posts
 
I don't remember where but once I read that someone was comparing the sound of 100 wt Gryphon with 600 wt Krell, both transistor amps. Same speakers,forgot what that was. Besides sounding a lot better in every respect, Gryphon also sounded more powerful. Dynamic speakers, this I remember.
What are the possible explanations?
inna
7,913 posts
 
Some actually think that only tubes can make the bass sound right. Or at the vey least something like Lamm hybrids.
This is probably a slight exaggeration and a matter of taste and speaker choice, but I can see a strong point.
inna
7,913 posts
 
You educated guys now totally confused the hell out of me.
So what should I want? Class A 500 wt/ch tube amp?
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