Why do tube amps often subjectively sound more powerful than SS ?
In my case, VAC Avatar SE integrated 60 watt/ch in ultralinear mode feels like double the power at least. Same speakers, same source, same cables and power cords.
I swap in a 250watt/ch ss amp with my 45watt/ch tube mono blocks. I leave the volume control on the preamp at exactly the same setting for both amps, as the volume in the room from the speakers is identical.
I listen mostly at moderate levels, not much distortion besides the one coming from the recordings themselves and some from the speakers that I do hear.
The impression is that tube amp does have more power in reserve, and you can feel it.
Tubes are superior to transistors, anyway, and that's a true explanation ! I agree with many others here.
Just thinking out loud. Tube amps also tend to boost the mid bass and mid range (from about 1 kHz to 2 kHz or ao) due to their low damping factor interacting with speaker impedance. This could be part of the explanation for differences in ound versus solid state.
On the other hand, if you talk Gryphon SS power..This can be bloody hell. I didn't compare directly Gryphon and, say, VAC or ARC amps. Now, this could be interesting in terms of power and it's perception.
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