How can a 30 watt, 28 year old amp sound more


I recently connected a 30 watt NAD 3130 integrated to my 85 db efficient 8 ohm ATC SCM 12's. The amp it replaced was a 120 Watt high current and very highly rated amp. The sound I got was bolder, deeper, punchier and more dynamic. It took hold of the mid/woofers and whipped them into total submission. What the hell?

What would account for that? I always thought more watts, high current equals more dynamics and control. This proves me wrong. The NAD is also a high current design, but 30 watts??? is it damping factor? is it slew rate? the 120 watt amp has a damping factor of over 500 and is stable to 2 ohms. The spec on the NAD does not include damping factor or slew rates. It too is stable into 2 ohms.

Can anyone explains why in this case, watts did not matter? any idea what makes this 30 Watt integrated sound so bold, dynamic, and punchy?

Thanks
bokfudo
Might not be the amp,it could be the preamp you are using with the amp. Mismatch with amp? Need more info on what you have!
Without knowing the other amp, we can only guess. Its most likely that the NAD is just a better amp. There's no standard for measuring an amps power, so results like you are getting are not at all uncommon. Yogiboy is right as well. It could definitely be your preamp.