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

So far, if I'm paying attention, only the Sunfire 300 amp has been given props for an amazing soundstage.

I've heard some class D amps that do very well too.

"I have no clue about "voicing" an amplifier. It is NOT a musical instrument. It is not supposed to "sound good". The best it can do is to not screw up the information presented at its inputs and drive whatever load is connected to it without interacting with or being modified by the load….We will leave "voicing" to trumpets and tubas and such, and keep doing basic evaluation of circuit electronics…..We did not spend any time "voicing", only refining our engineering knowledge and the application of that." [Source: https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=76587.20 ]

That's a surprising thing to hear from someone who makes good gear. Surely he listens to what his customers say, he goes to shows, listens to gear, etc. He may have said this as some kind of retort to someone else's overly-mushy (from an engineer's standpoint) statements. But without that kind of charity for him, it betrays an unenviable bull-headedness.

I can't agree with this. Frank's comments are spot on and I feel exactly the same way. Voicing an amplifier is likely to simply result in some sort of synergy with some other equipment and ultimately, any audio product has to stand on its own merits and not rely on another's to sound right. IOW designing for synergy or 'voicing' is likely going to result in more distortion.

@twoleftears Perhaps a different positioning for a different amp is called for — that’s why my question included "Or, perhaps, am I failing to do something -- such as re-position my speakers?" That said, I’ve done measurements regarding impulses (first reflection, distal reflection, further reflections) and I don’t see much of a measurement difference between them regarding the kinds of timing that contribute to sound stage. I suppose just moving the speakers around would be an easy experiment. Thanks for that idea!

@audioguy85 I did a lot of movement of my system and back wall distance proved very important, both for SPL and for imaging. My guess is that rooms are very different, and my 6.5 ft. ceilings are a factor which probably you (and Fremer) don’t share. Possible crucial difference.

@zlone Wow, that’s a very controlled experiment and interesting result. Yes, I use great test tracks and yes, I’m using a tube preamp in front of both amps. With NOS Valvo 12ATs in it.

@jjss49 I’ll look at the distortions discussion.

@atmasphere I appreciate the clarification. I suppose I should have just asked the question about what is meant by "voicing." I'm just a hobbyist and consumer; I listen and read, and I hear some engineers such as Paul McGowan talk about "voicing" an amp. I guess I don't really know what that term can mean or how to interpret his comments vis a vis others. I didn't mean disrespect to Frank.

No doubt different amps will have different transfer functions that could result in the parts of the signal that determine imaging and soundstage, many of which are very low level, being reproduced differently.
A linear transfer function is generally what is desired on paper but it’s likely the case that no two amps have exactly the same transfer function be it linear or not so linear. Transfer functions that emphasize the lower level parts of the signal that determine soundstage and imaging could even be artificially emphasized in a way that increases soundstage and imaging even if that is less linear. I would expect that amps that soft clip where dynamic range is compressed (many tube amps) and that also feature very low noise floors could excel in soundstage and imaging. Even if an artificial artifact of the amps non linear transfer function when soft clipping it might be regarded as a desirable effect.

In that context, my Bel Canto ref1000m amps also do soft clip but effectively never do in that they are 500 w/ch into 8 ohm doubling into 4 ohm. However, they are also absolutely dead quiet so together the effortless dynamics and low noise floor combine for quite exceptional soundstage and imaging (also dynamics) I would say with a very linear transfer function. Nothing artificial there.

The term "voicing" tends to carry over more from Guitar amp designers and modders looking for particular tones, overtones, and/or feedback designed into the circuit looking to achieve a particular sound result.

With professional and home audio, it seems many audio engineers focus primarily on specs and limiting distortion alone. Some others, changing component values, adding components, removing components, adding gain stages, or even adding complete circuits like negative feedback working to achieve a particular sound.  Agree or not, likely adding distortion in what they deem as "in the right places", also loosely referred to by some as voicing, fwiw. Results and opinions vary of course.    

A set-tube audio buddy likes to say, "at the end of the day, it's just your stereo", I'll add, call it whatever you want, you are the one listening to it.