Perceived loudness and amplifier wattage is not the same thing. Agreed a watt is a watt, no matter what (excuse the pun).
On a thread some time ago (I am to lazy to search now) a couple of posters stated that even if the fundamental remains the same, humans will perceive an increase in volume when the even ordered harmonics increase in db. So when a tube amp clips in a benign fashion, additional gain will allow the harmonics to increase in db, allowing the listener to hear an increase in volume/loudness.
I use a 12wpc SE tube amp and it most certainly plays louder than my 25wpc chip or 35wpc transistor amp. So while it is technically a watt is measured the same no matter what amplifier topology we talk about, for a specific rating a tube amp will deliver substantially more perceived loudness than a transistor amplifier.
Regards
Paul
On a thread some time ago (I am to lazy to search now) a couple of posters stated that even if the fundamental remains the same, humans will perceive an increase in volume when the even ordered harmonics increase in db. So when a tube amp clips in a benign fashion, additional gain will allow the harmonics to increase in db, allowing the listener to hear an increase in volume/loudness.
I use a 12wpc SE tube amp and it most certainly plays louder than my 25wpc chip or 35wpc transistor amp. So while it is technically a watt is measured the same no matter what amplifier topology we talk about, for a specific rating a tube amp will deliver substantially more perceived loudness than a transistor amplifier.
Regards
Paul