Solid state amplifiers and sound stage, especially front to back "depth"

@mahgister
Then it is the amplifier...

case closed...

When paying attention to the details, kinda seems that way doesn't it ;) 
 

@paul79

In general, and in my experience, solid state does depth great. Tubes do too, but overall, I do find that tube amps give a bigger sound stage all around, particularly scale of artists and in sound stage width. That said, I am sure there are varying degrees from different solid state vs. tube amps depending on design.

just as a point of discussion, not being disagreeable, my personal finding over the years is the opposite from yours

i find good ss amps image wide but generally have more limited depth than similar quality tube amps - ss amps will do depth but it needs to a very good recording with that aspect in spades, otherwise, typical mixed recordings have less front to back layering

tube amps otoh generally image slightly wider, sometimes a little bigger but MUCH deeper...

i feel stage width and image size is heavily speaker and placement driven, and of course certain speakers, via their design put the image in front of, in line with, of behind their baffle line ... but there is something special that great tube amps in creating a sense of layered depth of the stage

My two cents on the matter, for what it's worth.

I have Balanced Audio Technology (BAT) preamp and power amp.  The preamp is tube gear, as all of the BAT preamps are, and the amp is one of their SS models.  My phono stage is also a tube design (Manley Chinook).  The room is well treated and the speakers (Dynaudio Contour 60i) are 3 feet from each side wall and 3 feet from the front wall.  Soundstage width and depth are wonderful.  I thoroughly enjoy that aspect of the system every time I listen to it.  However, I wanted more (upgrade-itis, if you will), especially in timbre tone and deeper soundstage.  I borrowed a BAT tube amp and placed it where I had my SS amp.  That was the only change I made, swapping amps.  What I found was the superior timbral tonality I was seeking, but also, the depth of soundstage was a very apparent increase.  That actually surprised me because the SS amp does so well in that area.  Now, was it because the tube amp is just more compatible with my signal cables and my speakers?  I can't honestly say.  But I can honestly say that the soundstage depth was improved, and rather significantly.  Consequently, I made a purchase of the tube amp and, when it arrives (new unit, on order from BAT by my authorized dealer), will soon be posting my SS amp for sale.

So the bottom line, at least for me, is that the tube amp was superior to the SS amp for soundstage depth and in timbral tone as well.  Same brand preamp and amps, all designed to work with one another.

I hope this adds value to the thread.

@mammothguy54 It adds great value to the thread because you did exactly the same experiment that I did and had exactly the same result.

My Plinius 9200 has substantial depth in the soundstage.

That said, as understood by most, the difference in the room dictates that to a level you would not at first expect.  My old single level ranch house with a 50 ft x 40 ft living room/listening area allowed that to be at its peak.  A second acreage, the system didn't sound good at all with everything in tight.  My current acreage, despite smaller listening room has dimensions and construction/setup that gets pretty close to what I had in that first place.

At that old place I had a buds Rotel system brought over once and both him and I were stunned how that system sounded in a room where his speakers could be brought out further and things positioned much better for the sound.  Make me believe in room as perhaps the most critical factor to top level sound.