I would explain it just as Mapman did above, but Ralph at Atmas-phere has a more complex answer involving current vs. voltage delivery into real world speaker loads. It's on their website and it is well worth reading.
Tube Amp Watts and Quality Electrons. LOL
Have a serious Q. On occasion, I see a serious comment about matching amps and speakers. And the post makes a passing reference to "tube watts" or something to that effect, permitting an inference that a 100 wpc tube amp is somehow not the same as a 100 wpc SS amp. Can someone explain why this distinction is occassionally made. I assume it doesn't have anything to do with the quality of the electrons.
Thanks and Happy Holidays
Thanks and Happy Holidays