tube watts vs solid state watts

No, the tube sounds much louder in my experience. A a general rule tube amps sound about 30-50% louder then SS amps of the same spec output. This is a general rule. Some amps are speced lower than the actual output like Aloia SS amps and others. However, in general tubes amps play louder than SS amps with the same written watts spec.

Bill

In agree with Tireguy in terms of how to buy an amp. But as a general answer to your direct question - tubes do play louder.

Bill

I am not so concerned with the location of the volume knob or which amp gives more volume on a given setting. That of coarse is dependent on the gain of the amp and the matching between the two components.

I have experienced over and over that tubes amps just simply play louder per watt of rating. I am not a tech guy but know what I have experienced playing with perhaps 15-20 SS and tube amps in my home.

One other thing I have noticed. I love both SS and tube amps and will always have one of each on hand. My ears find that SS amps fire the sound out of the speakers more than tube amps. They attack the listening position more. Tube amps seem to float the sound out of the speakers more. Again, this is something I have found to be generally true. The one exception was my Mac MC402 amp which did not fire out the sound like most SS amps but floated it out. Just like the reviewer said " it was the best tube amp I have ever heard".