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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.
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mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,191 posts
 
Your correct this is the biggest killer for depth, there should be nothing between the speakers as far back as possible, even the wall should go, and leave small 1mt sections behind the speakers for bass loading. My setup, and I have depth of image out into the garden https://ibb.co/VTRJ0Wh
Too simplistic and too drasctic in a way and not enough drastic in another way....

My speakers are near the wall and even one is few inches included in a corner wall, on my desk, with dac amplifier and computer screen between speakers...

Guess what?

my depth imaging is very good in TWO listening positions, and my sound fill my room...

 Why?

 Not only passive material treatment with a good balance between reflecting, absorbing and diffusive surface but ALSO a grid of Helmholtz resonators to activate my room and tune it....


aubreybobb
87 posts
 
 
As for resonance and vibration, I've neverheard that "tube amps are more resistant to this factor." I always thought they were LESS resistant, because of the glass tubes. That's a startling claim and I have never heard that before.


I have never heard this from anyone else either, just fits with logic, to me, simpler circuits, less components, heavy transformers, mass damping.  Think about it, less stuff to resonate in electrical fields means less hash i.e subtle information.  The vibrations I refer to are extremely tiny.

I had similar issues with depth and have been looking at this subject lately in my solid state system.  I can tell you the changes as a result have been simply astonishing.  Not a plug, but Critical Mass Systems footers for electronics and speakers have turned my world upside down.  From cones and sorbothane in the early days to springs to v v expensive bearing based vibration control devices now, nothing compares. 

Best wishes
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
Aubreybobb,
http://www.criticalmasssystems.com/productPages/centerStage.html

They look similar to the Isoacoustics design. Can you provide pricing ?

mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,191 posts
 
Tube amplifier are very vulnerable to vibrations for sure....

In a bad acoustical room (most room) they will fare better than most S.S. because of their more organic quality...

But many S.S. amplifier can sound organic too.... I own one...

 Vibrations is a problem for all gear,  anyway....like acoustic is or electrical noise floor....
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,417 posts
 
Critical Mass... found a price list.

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