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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 1 response by oddiofyl

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oddiofyl
4,086 posts
 
I am using a pair of 40w EL34 monos driving a pair of 87dB efficient bookshelves full range with a sub crossed over low just to augment what my speakers can't reproduce and it rocks....plenty of power in my 15 x 17 x 9 room

I had previously used a McCormack DNA 125 which was a great amp no doubt but I don't think I even came close to it's full power even at louder volumes
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