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Solid state amplifiers and sound stage, especially front to back "depth"

I've been enjoying my trial period with the Van Alstine SET 400 stereo amplifier. When I'm done and have collected my thoughts, I may write up a summary.

In the meantime, a question for folks with more experience. I've noticed is that the amp produces a sound stage that is nicely defined and articulate from left to right, but not as much from front to back. (My Adcom was also unable to create sound stage depth.) I know my room is capable of that sound stage because my tube amp accomplishes it.

Question: Is it typical of solid state amps to have less of a front to back sound stage than tube amps? Do they vary in this regard? Or, perhaps, am I failing to do something -- such as re-position my speakers? (After all, I immediately get that sound stage back when I switch amplifier without moving anything else.)

If you have any experience with solid state amplifiers and sound stage -- front to back, left to right, or whatever, I'm curious.

This is not about me keeping or not keeping the amp. There are many things I already really like about it. But I'm wondering about this aspect.

Thanks.
hilde45
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,151 posts
 
Then there is less well designed S.S. amplifiers on the market than we may think?
IMO, yes.

In solid state amps in particular this is all about how well their feedback system is designed. Most of the time though the problem is the amp simply lacks enough feedback; you need over 35dB to really get the job done right. Most have less- 20dB is common. When you have a low amount like that the feedback itself makes distortion- and the amp is often unable to get the phase relationships from front to rear completely correct. I placed a more in depth post on this topic on another thread today about distortions. 


mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,736 posts
 
Then there is less well designed S.S. amplifiers on the market than we may think?
IMO, yes.

In solid state amps in particular this is all about how well their feedback system is designed. Most of the time though the problem is the amp simply lacks enough feedback; you need over 35dB to really get the job done right. Most have less- 20dB is common. When you have a low amount like that the feedback itself makes distortion- and the amp is often unable to get the phase relationships from front to rear completely correct. I placed a more in depth post on this topic on another thread today about distortions.
My deepest thanks for your toughtful explanation....Useful for all....


yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,891 posts
 
Many solid state amplifier manufactures and reviewers boast about having a tube like sound. When is the last time that you have seen a tube amp manufacturer boast about having a solid state like sound?  I wonder why that is?
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,736 posts
 
Many solid state amplifier manufactures and reviewers boast about having a tube like sound. When is the last time that you have seen a tube amp manufacturer boast about having a solid state like sound? I wonder why that is?
Very astute observation...

I bought my Sansui AU 7700 7 years ago after reading an article about the Sansui original designer and their desire to reproduce EXACTLY their best tube amplifier in solid state.... It takes 20 years.... They make a public test to compare the sound and there was no distinction....

this was the main reason i bought a Sansui instead of any other vintage legendary design....I never look back....
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,891 posts
 
Many moons ago a had a Sansui TU-919 tuner. It was one of the best tuners that I’ve owned!
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