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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.
128x128hilde45
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,819 posts
 
@arafiq I’ve done extensive room treatments including some fairly elaborate things to deal with reflections. These have helped create the depth I’m enjoying with my tube amps and why I feel that the difference in depth must be due to the only variable changing— the amplifier. 
@atmasphere Thanks for the reflection about how feedback may be at work in my solid state. I don’t think Frank publishes much about his process but if anyone sees what he does vis a vis feedback, please share.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,396 posts
 
I’m experiencing a wide and deep soundstage using an Atma-sphere 30W amp with an Audio Note linestage. The 3D image is often holographic. Don’t dismiss the effect a preamp contributes to deep imaging.
I also have absorbion panels on the side walls near the front wall (in the area of the speakers).

Now having said that, I owned a Sunfire 300 which was capable of 3D imaging through the front wall, equal to or exceeding the tube amps I’ve owned.

decooney
1,906 posts
 
@yogiboy
Many moons ago a had a Sansui TU-919 tuner. It was one of the best tuners that I’ve owned!
Cool. I was a big Sansui amp and tuner fan too, had the AU/TU717 decades ago, held on to my TU-9900 FM tuner ’til a year ago. Replaced it with a modded MD-102 Magnum Dynalab FM Tuner years back. Listening with a 6SN7 triode tube preamp and dual mono KT150 tube amps with dual triode input section right now. With OCC interconnects the sound stage is at or just behind the front wall and to the sides of me in 3D. And crazy thing is, it’s just FM and some times I prefer it over streaming - believe it or not! Makes it difficult to want to listen to alternate DACS or Amps any more. Smacking hand, saying "just leave it the hell alone and don’t mess with it any more", sounds fantastic :)
djones51
4,947 posts
 
I never really thought the type of amplifier would affect soundstage. Speaker position, reflections,  the recording I would think has more to do with soundstage. The one thing that isn't controlled by those is SPL at listening position. See if increasing the volume helps. Is that SET amp low watt? It might clip before it gets as loud as the other amps. Other than that I have no idea why. 
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,819 posts
 
@djones51 So far, the consensus is that amp type affects soundstage a lot. So far, if I'm paying attention, only the Sunfire 300 amp has been given props for an amazing soundstage.
The SET 400 is 225 wpc into 8 ohms.
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