Question on Tube Amp Wattage

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Mass. Wine Guy

Question on Tube Amp Wattage
« on: 20 Dec 2010, 12:51 pm »
Most of the tube amps I see are rated at things like 20 or 30 wpc. Is a watt in a tube amp the same as one in a solid state amp? Or do tube amps have more power somehow? If a pair of speakers has a recommended minimum input of, say, 50 watts, how do tubes meet the necessary power needs?

Thank you.

eclein

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Re: Question on Tube Amp Wattage
« Reply #1 on: 20 Dec 2010, 01:11 pm »
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=89281.0
Check the above thread from yesterday.

sebrof

Re: Question on Tube Amp Wattage
« Reply #2 on: 20 Dec 2010, 02:43 pm »
Most of the tube amps I see are rated at things like 20 or 30 wpc. Is a watt in a tube amp the same as one in a solid state amp? Or do tube amps have more power somehow? If a pair of speakers has a recommended minimum input of, say, 50 watts, how do tubes meet the necessary power needs?

Thank you.

As eclein said, see the linked thread for members' input regarding SS watts vs. tube watts.

Are the 20 - 30 watt tube amps you are referencing to older / vintage? If so, back in the day a 20 watt amp was considered fairly large, and the speakers of the day were also more efficient. IOW, all you needed was 20 or 30 watts.
Many modern tube amps are 50 watts +, but not all of course. I run a 4 watt tube amp with appropriately efficient speakers.

lonewolfny42

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Re: Question on Tube Amp Wattage
« Reply #3 on: 21 Dec 2010, 05:24 am »
Quote
As eclein said, see the linked thread for members' input regarding SS watts vs. tube watts.

........ :thumb: