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
@sbank  Glad you like the thread. Appreciate the amp suggestions and your point about "when mated with appropriate speakers also capable of recreating depth" is a crucial condition — and no, we're not investing in random! As Dana Carvey channeling GHWB said, "Nah gonnah do it."

I did play with the speakers and LP a bit to try to tease out sound stage (due an amp change) -- Didn't. Help. At. All. Put tubes back in -- sound stage was back.

I like your suggestion about trying tracks with an acoustic bass upstage.

@mahgister You've registered your displeasure with me in a public way. I've said I think you deserved it. Let's agree to disagree on this. You can DM me if you want, but at this point, we've both stated our positions. If not peace, at least détente.
@mahgister You’ve registered your displeasure with me in a public way.


You called my Helmholz resonators in the public for all to read "Goldberg Rube machine " ... Try to be FAIR at least and dont put nonchalently the blame on me because i defend myself in public when i was attacked in public like you just did in this post...

It is like calling someone a clown..... Where did i unsult you?

An acoustic problem cannot always be solved by panels, and save for bad design amplifier, any relatively good S.S. or tubes amplifier can produce depth imaging.... it is an acoustic problem linked to the timing of the reflections yes,reverberation time,  but also to the way the pressure zones of the room are distributed...

These pressures zones can be modified by resonators because contrary to panels the resonators damp some frequencies and enhance others frequencies at the same time....When the geometry of a room is too irregular it can create unwanted pressures zones... then before upgrading an amp or speakers, or buying costly panels, why not trying no cost resonators you coud make yourself esthetical ...If you read you can even use them in a completely different form than my "Rube Goldberg way" with a grid of tubes and pipes for example with a box with a distribution of perforated cavities....

No cost, fun experiment and you work at the right place because depth imaging is an acoustical phenomenon linking TIMING and pressure zones distribution...
My own amplifier/speaker never produce it before my acoustic experiment... Now i have it with all files accordingly to the S.Q of the recording process...


«The sound impinging on a Helmholtz resonator that is not absorbed is reradiated. As the sound is
reradiated from the resonator opening, it tends to be radiated in a hemisphere. This means that unabsorbed energy is diffused, and diffusion of sound is very desirable in a studio or listening room.»

Master handbook of acoustics by Everest, Frederick Alton Pohlmann, Ken C. p.283



If not peace, at least détente.

Where is the war? you insulted me i reacted...At least admit it.... Or am i just a "clown" you must calm?

i dont hate people at all here.... But i react if attacked like you did....




@sbank
.."Maybe certain ss amps that struggle with low end frequency performance in other aspects result in the perceived lack of depth?"..

Yes. And, agree some of the solid state amps you suggested don’t struggle with it. Swap in the right Pass or Coda or First Watt and it becomes interesting again. Not all ss amps are created equal as we see here once again. The great amp designers with "good ears folks" around them truly get it. Spec measurement engineers only looking to reduce distortion, not so much. Or, back to the modest mono tube amps and whoop, there it is!
@decooney Good points. I’m curious about those.
@mahgister Rube Goldberg machine is not a put down. They work, after all. They are just very elaborate. Your system fits into this category and works because you've been patient and clever enough to stick with it.
Relax. I am not replying anymore to histrionics.
Between the complete absence of detph imaging and holographic detph imaging filling the room there is many levels of manifestation for this acoustic quality...


Some amplifier are better than others to create it.... This was explained very well by atmasphere posts...

But without acoustic control of the room you cannot hope for the maximal manifestation of this quality in a room....In most of the case for sure...