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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
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,974 posts
 
@mahgister Thank you so much for the links. The Science Direct one looks very good. I will look at the others. 

I am willing to experiment and also alter my room, perhaps not as much as you. So, I hope there is some kind of solution here that does not require as much effort or complication as it seems. I cannot look for a "needle in a haystack" but I can take time to make improvements if there is a clear process that is incrementally better.
mahgister's avatar
mahgister
12,964 posts
 
Thanks for your interest...

It look complicated but it is not.... It is only fun....

And if i could do it, me who is not crafty at all, anybody can do it...

My best to you.... Enjoy your room one step at a time....
tweak1
3,645 posts
 
Most likely it is your dac, pre and cabling. See my comments in the "class D is it dry" thread
hilde45's avatar
hilde45 OP
4,974 posts
 
@tweak1  If all the factors are the same and the difference is only the amp and the depth disappears, I don't understand how your comment applies.
niodari's avatar
niodari
299 posts
 
@mahgister i do not normally go to live performances as at home i have better  SQ, in average. But if you are at q live unplugged performance, where you expect the sound will come from other than from the scene? 
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