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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
midareff1
182 posts
 
I read many but not all responses and there is something that seems to be missing...  that is the particular component to component compatibility of the amplifier and the rest of the gear it is associated with.  To get the best result each component should work optimally with the other components in the chain.  Your pre-amp or speakers may not work best in combination with a particular SS amplifier or cables.
decooney
2,102 posts
 
This can be true, and the weakest links in the chain can impact the end-to-end result. Without having different components to easily rotate in/out it can be more challenging to easily identify and where to upgrade next. Unless of course for the lucky ones who can afford to buy their top-4 components of choice and return-ship the other 3 after the are done with evaluating in batches, its another way to save time and cut to the chase faster. 
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,192 posts
 
Most Audiophiles don’t realize that your amp,preamp can greatly be improved.
the parts quality on the majority of products under $10k is average at best.
I just bought the excellent Coda CSIB integrated amp .Stereo times has a excellent review ,and build quality and sound much better then average and over built by most any standard , look inside your amp ,most have a small toroidal transformer
the coda is potted for ultra low noise and 3kva 4 x the average  and over 80k 
in capacitance. That’s why I inspect every product I buy. I did upgrade the very good rel multi caps to the VH Audio Odam  caps ,in the preamp section 
that was all there was to upgrade . Coda has been in business for over 35 years 
and very much under the radar , well worth checking out ,
and a 10 year warranty.

hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,986 posts
 
Planning on upgrading the preamp after warranty is expired. 
speakermaster
738 posts
 
Solid state amps do not play depth in the recording unless the recording has depth information but when you play a good recording they will have a lot of depth especially if your speakers are two or more feet out from the wall behind them.
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