I am still rather puzzled where it comes to volume and amp wattage.

I had an old Nakamichi AV1s that was rated at 100watts. It got way louder with any of my speakers than I have gotten with my current Anthem AVM60 and ADA1000 at 250watts.

I know it will have something to do with voltage gain, but does more wattage on an amp really translate into louder output? or is that a function of the total gain through the pre-amp -> amp ?

Anthem: AVM60, Fosi DAC-Q5
Axiom: ADA1500, LFR1100 Actiive, QS8, EP500, M3, M3comp, M5