Hello vanson1. Question your assumptions. Not all tube amps have output transformers. Numbers given us by machines cannot tell a complete story to human beings. There are lots of women with 36-24-26 figures, same weight, same height; but are they all the same? Different capacitors with the same electrical specifications sound different. It's easy to demonstrate. Manufacturers of different amps use different parts. All 12AX7 tubes do not sound the same; ask any "tube roller." So . . . any assemblage of parts will have it's own "sound" due to the interaction of the signal it's handling with all the various parts. An iron wire has different characteristics than a copper wire or an aluminium one. If you are a beginner, a budding audiophile, you are entering a wonderful hobby which is mucher cheaper and safer that discovering the differences between all the ladies with simlar "specs." A little experience will lead to a great deal of education, and a lot more questions. Enjoy the music1
Why do amplifiers sound different?
Coming from a electrical engineering background, amplifiers theoretically should all sound alike as when measured into an 8 ohm load, their frequency response is extremely flat.
Usually + or - less than 0.2 dB. Your ears can't detect that.
What makes them sound different is the fact that speaker impedance various with frequency. All solid state amplifiers that do not have output transformers vary their output slightly depending on the impedance they see at each frequency.
That's why matching amplifiers to speaker matters.
All tube amplifiers have output transformers so they aren't affected by impedance fluctuations.
That's one reason they sound better to most people.
Odd vs even order harmonics is another but that's another discussion.
Usually + or - less than 0.2 dB. Your ears can't detect that.
What makes them sound different is the fact that speaker impedance various with frequency. All solid state amplifiers that do not have output transformers vary their output slightly depending on the impedance they see at each frequency.
That's why matching amplifiers to speaker matters.
All tube amplifiers have output transformers so they aren't affected by impedance fluctuations.
That's one reason they sound better to most people.
Odd vs even order harmonics is another but that's another discussion.