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

My two cents on the matter, for what it's worth.

I have Balanced Audio Technology (BAT) preamp and power amp.  The preamp is tube gear, as all of the BAT preamps are, and the amp is one of their SS models.  My phono stage is also a tube design (Manley Chinook).  The room is well treated and the speakers (Dynaudio Contour 60i) are 3 feet from each side wall and 3 feet from the front wall.  Soundstage width and depth are wonderful.  I thoroughly enjoy that aspect of the system every time I listen to it.  However, I wanted more (upgrade-itis, if you will), especially in timbre tone and deeper soundstage.  I borrowed a BAT tube amp and placed it where I had my SS amp.  That was the only change I made, swapping amps.  What I found was the superior timbral tonality I was seeking, but also, the depth of soundstage was a very apparent increase.  That actually surprised me because the SS amp does so well in that area.  Now, was it because the tube amp is just more compatible with my signal cables and my speakers?  I can't honestly say.  But I can honestly say that the soundstage depth was improved, and rather significantly.  Consequently, I made a purchase of the tube amp and, when it arrives (new unit, on order from BAT by my authorized dealer), will soon be posting my SS amp for sale.

So the bottom line, at least for me, is that the tube amp was superior to the SS amp for soundstage depth and in timbral tone as well.  Same brand preamp and amps, all designed to work with one another.

I hope this adds value to the thread.

@mammothguy54 It adds great value to the thread because you did exactly the same experiment that I did and had exactly the same result.

My Plinius 9200 has substantial depth in the soundstage.

That said, as understood by most, the difference in the room dictates that to a level you would not at first expect.  My old single level ranch house with a 50 ft x 40 ft living room/listening area allowed that to be at its peak.  A second acreage, the system didn't sound good at all with everything in tight.  My current acreage, despite smaller listening room has dimensions and construction/setup that gets pretty close to what I had in that first place.

At that old place I had a buds Rotel system brought over once and both him and I were stunned how that system sounded in a room where his speakers could be brought out further and things positioned much better for the sound.  Make me believe in room as perhaps the most critical factor to top level sound.

Oh the joy
I have an Oppo 105 with upgraded LPM which was a huge sonic upgrade. It is connected to my Audio Alchemy DDP-1 + PS 5 via the balanced in, which bypasses the DDP-1 dac. I thought I could not shuffle between redbook and SACD. Well, 2 days ago I decided to reconnect my WireWorld Starlight 8 optical cable and was floored by how much smoother the HFs are and how much richer and more out front (3D) the presentation is. But does this mean I have to unplug it to play SACDs? NO! The buttons on the remote allow me to alternate between direct/balance from my 105 for SACDs and selecting optical to play redbook CDs. Yippee!!!

Now in search of a "better" optical cable. Although the Starlight 8 sounds VG, it is very warm compared to the dryer 105 direct. It might be that I just need to adjust before spending money on a possible wild goose chase. Suggestions?

hilde45,

I read your other post on your room treatments. Have you tone frequency sweeps on both amplifiers? With some tube amps with low damping factors coupled with the speakers, you may have some significant changes in the frequency response that changes your impression of the sound.