Question:
I know that tube amps are supposed to be louder than solid state, but is there like an adzact comperison? Like, I don't know... 10 tube watts=30 solid state watts. Does anybody know?
Answer:
Originally Posted by jamforchrist123 I know that tube amps are supposed to be louder than solid state, but is there like an adzact comperison? Like, I don't know... 10 tube watts=30 solid state watts. Does anybody know?
Actually, if you want to get technical, they are the same thing. 10 watts = 10 watts- its a way to define how much power is consumed (and thus converted into sound energy).
What you are thinking of is percieved volume, which can be tricky to estimate.
Anyway, tube amps sound louder for a couple reasons- one is the way that they distort.
Solid state stays fairly clean until where it breaks up, but when it does distort, the distortion is a pretty steep curve - meaning that you can't push a solid state power amp very far into distortion and keep a good sound.
Tube amps distort in a much more subtle way. When they begin distorting, the curve is not very steep, meaning that you can push the power amp farther and retain a good sound. Also, once it hits this point, the volume isn't what is increasing, but rather, harmonics are being introduced as it distorts, and that also adds to the apparent volume that you are hearing.
Also, you need to keep in mind how amps are rated- they are rated at a percentage of distortion... although I don't remember what it exactly is. Anyway, solid state and tube amps are rated the same for this. At this point in a solid state design, its pretty much at its peak power output, and pushing it much more will simply increase distortion beyond bearable levels. In a tube amp, because of the more gradual introduction into distortion, it still has considerbly more room to increase volume and still retain a pleasing sound.
Really, if you're interested in volume, I believe Major Tom started a thread on how speaker configuration and speaker efficiency was just as or more important than the wattage of an amplifier (its been a while though).
Answer:
Thanks. That awnsers my question!