How Do Amps Affect Soundstage?


I'm not that technically strong on audio yet, so please refrain from mockery on this....

My DAC, premamp, and amp combo (all tube) throw a nice soundstage.  If I substitute (at least some) solid state stereo amps, soundstage is constricted.  If the amp is basically just increasing the signal that it is receiving from the preamp, I don't get how the size and shape of the presentation is altered materially from what the preamp is delivering. (I get that the signal could get distorted, etc.).  How does the amp play such role?  And do monoblocks enjoy any design advantage in maintaining the soundstage received?  Thanks.

mathiasmingus

Lots of noise above. An eight watt amp can produce an amazing soundstage. "Can" when the loudspeakers are carefully chosen and properly positioned in the room. It is not about power or monoblocs. It is simply a matter of good design and implementation.

Standing waves and room reflection have the most impact on soundstaging and imaging (often confused but different qualities), speaker choice and positioning second, selection of electronics third, and choice of cabling is likely last. Within that third category, "electronics" is source which is admittedly a bit sloppy when the source is vinyl but certainly the cartridge and phono stage are essential and electronic.

@Mossy, that business of the Ref 6 Pre having a badly designed volume control is pure garbage. You have ten posts (Yes, my profile only shows 80 some but I had to change from Fsonicsmith to Fsonicsmith1 due to password problems and have hundreds and hundreds of posts). What is your basis and where did that allegation come from? No need to answer. I don’t particularly care to know.

Got that info from Chris at part connection- who created the sonic frontiers brand.

Oh and thanks for the very polite discourse.

 

Sonicsmith

If you have a recommendation for a better amp pairing with the Ref 6 I would be happy to hear it.

 

Mossy, I also have a 4B3 Bryston. I’ve been searching for a compatible Tube Pre that matches without blowing my load on an ARC Ref 6.  The pairing makes a ton of sense on paper.  Following with great vim and vigor.