It’s not gain or gain structure but limited maximum output level of many (not all) pedal preamps that’s responsible for not being able to drive a power amp to rated output.
if a power amp has an input sensitivity of +4dBu (power amp sensitivity is measured with the input level control all the way up), the preamp must have a maximum output level capability of AT LEAST +4dBu (I recommend 6dB more if possible) in order to achieve rated power.
The output impedance of the driving device (preamp) should be roughly 1/10th (or less) the value of the input impedance of the driven device (power amp). If not, there will be additional losses. In the case where the output impedance is 12k and the input impedance is 10k, there will be a ~6dB loss.
Unfortunately, these specs are often omitted (or unknown/unmeasured) by manufacturers which makes matching a crapshoot.
As an example of a pedal preamps that’s that can easily drive a power amp to rated output, the Genzler Magellan Pre-Di is one. It also includes all of the important, necessary specs to document the performance:
Specifications
DIMENSIONS: 6” (152mm) W x 4.3” (110mm ) D (w/ jacks) x 2.5” (63mm) H (w/ knobs and feet)
WEIGHT: 1.1 lb (0.5kg)
POWER SUPPLY: 9VDC-18VDC (low noise type), either polarity, 80mA
POWER SUPPLY JACK: 2.1mm center pin with 5.5mm barrel (standard Boss pedal dimensions)
INPUT IMPEDANCE: 1 Meg Ohm
INPUT SENSITIVITY (nominal): -10dBu to -20dBu (instrument level)
INPUT SENSITIVITY (maximum): >0dBu (9V supply), >+5dBu (12V supply), >+10dBu (18V supply)
HIGH PASS Filter Range: 25Hz – 120hz, 18dB/oct variable
EQ Filter Points:
LOW: +/-15dB shelving below 75 Hz
MID: +/-15dB peak-dip, between 150Hz – 2.8kHz
HIGH: +/-15dB shelving above 6kHz
PREAMP OUTPUT IMPEDANCE: 1k ohm (unbalanced), 2k ohm (balanced)
PREAMP OUTPUT LEVEL (nominal): -10dBu to +4dBu (line level)
PREAMP OUTPUT LEVEL (unbalanced maximum): +8dBu (9V supply) +12dBu (12V supply), +16dBu (18V supply)
PREAMP OUTPUT LEVEL (balanced maximum): +14dBu (9V supply) +18dBu (12V supply), +22dBu (18V supply)
DIRECT OUTPUT LEVEL (balanced nominal): -30dBu (mic level)
DIRECT OUTPUT IMPEDANCE: 2k ohm (balanced)
AUX INPUT IMPEDANCE: 10 K Ohm
AUX INPUT LEVEL (nominal): -10dBu, stereo (sums to mono)
AUX INPUT LEVEL (maximum): +10dBu, stereo (sums to mono)
HEADPHONE OUTPUT: Drives headphones and IEM buds from 8 ohms -200 ohms, stereo output, mono signal path. (Higher impedance headphones, such as 600 ohms, will result in less output and headroom.)