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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.
hilde45
decooney
2,358 posts
 
@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!
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
5,451 posts
 
@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.
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,806 posts
 
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...
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,806 posts
 
And again -- so many words. I am not replying anymore to histrionics.
who are you?

you just insult me another time...

it is amusing?

I prefer to be "histrionic" than being like you act....

There is no rule here about the number of words in a post but there is rule about insults....

Study acoustic instead of calling me name and dont upgrade your amplifier without doing it... 

Histrionic advice... 



hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
5,451 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...

From my OP:

the amp produces a sound stage that is nicely defined and articulate from left to right, but not as much from front to back.I know my room is capable of that sound stage because my tube amp accomplishes it.
See where I said, "my tube amp accomplishes it"? What does "it" mean? Well, that is precisely the point where I told everyone that the room has acoustic control over sound stage, including depth. This is why it is redundant and unnecessary to explain (again and again) why it is important to exercise acoustic control. Got that covered. In the OP. And in my comments. Again and again. Now I am really really done making this point.


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