Chord Dave - Missing soundstage width

I had been using EmmLab Dac2 from 2001 to 2009 then I need a fresh air.

I auditioned Dave with and without Hugo Mscaler.

Without Mscaler, Dave is about same level as EMMLab Dac2.

But with Mscaler, it gave wider and deeper soundstage with more details.

Thus I bought Dave and HMS about one year ago.

I have the Dave and I find recordings are the determining factor in how the soundstage is reproduced. On some recordings the soundstage extends beyond my left and right speakers and some don't. I tried the Hugo Mscaler in my system and I prefer the Dave without the Mscaler.

I own a Dave as well and I’ve found that different powercords impact its sound.  More so than other components in my system.  I also agree with adg101 and ricred1s comments.

The DAVE is an amazing DAC and I literally can't keep them in stock which is mind boggling for a DAC that is >$10K.  I will say that when I have one in my system (I swap depending on what I am showing) the idea that the soundstage wouldn't extend past my speakers is almost inconceivable.    

I would definitely say your system doesn't suck.  The double impacts are a wild speaker though.  They can be driven quite well with 15w of great power or they could be driven with 400w of power.  Wonderful sound but they also run at a relatively low impedance.

My hunch is that you might benefit from a step up in quality if amplification.  I had a similar experience with that amp while demoing a pair of B&W 805 D3s.  My gut tells me that you amp is the bottleneck.  

If you are looking for a bigger soundstage, I would recommend three potential amps that will completely change your listening experience.  

Check out:
Art Audio Carissa which is an 845 based SET.  You don't need the integrated edition because the preamp section on the DAVE is superb and can be connected straight to the power amp.  I have run this at home and it is truly spectacular.  (full disclosure, I am the importer and reseller for Art Audio - I have a used Carissa available)

Line Magnetic LM-845.  This has a brutally expensive tube compliment to upgrade/replace but this is a wonderful amp for the money and a brilliant product.  

Raven Audio - Check out their 6L6 based amps.  In my opinion, the king of all tubes in terms of soundstage is the 845 but the runner up is the 6L6.  

I wonder if you have tried rolling the first or second gain stage with any NOS small signal tubes?  I use new Genalex Golden Lions all around with NOS CIFTEs in the first gain stage of my Prima Luna Dialogue Premium Pre...  In my system it really nailed the soundstage...