Debut 50R Power Reduction Switch

[lhamont]

Convince me I'm not crazy.

I have noticed this with all of the amps I have owned (or at least I am pretty sure I notice it). I play at home at low volumes and love the idea of cutting the power so that I can better control my volume. In 50 watt mode the volume goes from, "can't hear it" to "blasting my head off." In 5 watt mode I can get the volume where I want it, but the overdrive doesn't sound nearly as good. It seems to lose some gain and sound too squishy. I thought it was just something tube amps experienced, but the Debut is the same way. Is this just unavoidable? On the clean channel it makes no difference to me, but the overdrive side is a make or break. Do I just need to accept this or am I listening with my eyes knowing the switch was made?