Why do tube amps often subjectively sound more powerful than SS ?

@inna - how do you calibrate "same volume"? Literally 1% of sensitivity difference makes it well audible. And yes, tube distortions add to the sound.

I have always heard that tubes were more powerful. But until I got one I had no idea how night and day they can be. I went from 350 wpc solid state to 70 wpc tube and the difference was not at all in power, not even a little bit. If I had gone to a 70wpc solid state it would have been night and day. In many respects the tube watts were more powerful in the richness of the midrange and the bass was much more articulate. What it lacked was the artificial quick (very fast rise and very fast fall) in the bass. The bass sounded like what I heard at a real rock concert or symphony… not that quick wall of bass usually called slam. But the bass is much better, more real.

It sounds like all the bass and midrange is sustained as opposed to cut short as solid state often sounds. This makes details stand out, but is often unnatural.

Why… as in technically. I have no idea.

Not all tube amps do, but good ones tend to have excellent micro dynamics, great midrange clarity and harmonic structure, and ample headroom.

Maybe it’s just easier to say that they’re "magic"!

I'm with @noromance .  Tubes are more awesome.

You guys know I try to understand everything going on in audio, and I don't always achieve that.  And understanding tube power vs ss power is one of the things I want to understand better.  

I have very successfully driven full range 96dB 4ohm floorstanders with a 2 wpc Decware EL84UFO.  

I'd like to compare a first watt sit-4, but there is very little chance I would leave tubes.

Jerry