x solid state watts vs x power tube watts

**xed** · #1 10-14-2010, 05:48 PM

This isn't intended to be about what sounds better but only perceived volume.

You have 2 amp heads, one solid state and the other with tube power section and both are rated at the same wattage RMS. You take turns plugging them in to the same cabinet and ABing them back and forth.

Which one will be perceived as being "louder" or will they be perceived as being the same volume? If one will be perceived as being "louder" then why? (one may sound like complete ass and the other may sound great but that's beside the point)

ashtray · #2 10-14-2010, 05:52 PM

RickenBoogie · #3 10-14-2010, 05:57 PM

You really don't wanna go there.

**xed** · #4 10-14-2010, 06:13 PM

Maybe I'm just naive but if discussion of what sounds "better" is kept out then can't this be a constructive thread?

Maybe it's destined to go down in flames but I thought I would give it an honest try.

s_mcsleazy · #5 10-14-2010, 06:16 PM

i usually think a simple tube amp with the same wattage as a simple solid state amp is never equal volume

theres alot to take into consideration but honistly i think tubes can get 2-3x louder

Jim Carr · #6 10-14-2010, 06:21 PM

Trolling is not tolerated here.

Sartori · #7 10-14-2010, 06:27 PM

The tube amp will probably be perceived as louder, given the same rated wattage, and depending on EQ.

That's probably. Not necessarily. Also, you could have done a search. There are about three hundred threads on this. Some might even be linked in the sticky.

3506string · #8 10-14-2010, 06:30 PM

Tube Watts vs. Solid State Watts, Conversion?
Are Tube amps louder than SS amps?
Whats the ratio of tube watts to solid state watts.

chicago_mike · #9 10-14-2010, 06:34 PM

Its due to how tubes and SS clip when overdriven. THats all. One is not more magical than another.

SS tends to square off when being clipped, now tubes will do that too, but at the first stages of clipping tubes still have a curve in the signal. Any oscilliscope will show you this. And as far as even order / odd order harmonics, tubes and ss can distort in both ways. Its down to design. No biggie. One reason why Fets and MOSFets are used alot for emulation circuits is how they clip, again, look at oscilliscope readings.

Then, theres the hype, and voodoo. ugh..

Sartori · #10 10-14-2010, 06:52 PM

Pretty much. The fact that tubes just compress a bit when they clip (at least at first) also makes it harder to tell that they are clipping, getting more usable volume out of them.

Of course, I push mine into obvious overdrive.

**Chef** · #11 10-14-2010, 07:00 PM

sorry, this has been done, done, and overdone here.

closed