tubes, transistors, transformers, capacitors, ... are all relative to the rated amount of power within certain specs. All are sized to achieve a price point. Other components are designed to deal with ... heat. If an amp truly could produce more power within specs, certainly the manufacturer would publish that capacity. It ain't so. Measured distortion prevents a larger rating.
reserve power not only for instantaneous bursts, move a low efficiency woofer forward, of low and enough power to control the woofer, and, have enough reserve to make repeated instantaneous bursts. Many subs have servo control to assist with the tight control to avoid distortion.
volume controls, preamp components, pushed to high output is not sensible to me. A lifetime of too much heat from high output is also not sensible to me. pushing tubes hard, why?
Play Mickey Hart,, even at mid volume, serious amounts of power is repeatedly needed, serious amounts of control of the woofer is repeatedly needed.