cgolf, I'm not going to speculate on whether or not you hear a difference. I'll take your word for it. Your friend's explanation about "stronger amps" and "more headroom" leave much to be desired, however. At any given volume, a watt is a watt, no matter how many more are available.

I have to admit, if I had two amps noticed a definite improvement with one versus the other, I'd try really hard verify that difference was actually there and not just in my head. Once verified, however, I could care less why it was better.