Component contributions to “sound stage”

@williewonka I will check out those links.  Thanks.

kn

Hi. Unfortunate amount of drivel on this. Correct answer. Your front end component is the key. Period. It either provides or it doesn't. Front end is your key. 

for me, this was an obvious answer.  bought a used CJ PV-12 and wow!  soundstage and not just LR but depth (if only we'd had MQA, I could add height -joking).  EVERYTHING else same- speakers, placement, room acoustics, DAC, amp, cables, home wiring... and any recording was impacted positively.

I no longer have the CJ and have upgraded every component including house wiring.  still trying to find that magic (had 3 very different amps in that setup.  Perreaux- sterile, Adcom warm, then Rotel full in a good way. B&W 683) all benefited.  
for another post...
next to test- using the preamp outs from Rogue Cronus Magnus 3 integrated with the Rotel and ML ESL-X.  might trade in the integrated for their tube pre.  I feel like the magic was in the tube preamp. (tube integrated was a compromise one chassis, better value)

@williewonka just read a Morrow Audio blog.  cotton is king.

• For interconnect cables and speaker cables, cotton has proven to be an exceptional insulation with a D.C. around 1.3

@dukebdevil , 1.3 is pretty good, getting closer to air at 1.1 is even better.

The Helix AIR DIY cable geometry achieves this by inserting the bare signal  wire inside an oversize Teflon tube. Since the tube is larger than the diameter of the wire, the wire only touches the Teflon at one point. The rest of the wire is effectively surrounded by air.

I used the Duelund cotton insulated wire in the Helix Cable a few years ago. Moving to the Helix AIR geometry improved details, clarity an the image gained space and pinpoint accuracy.

Some of the more advanced brands are now using advanced insulation to achieve stunning performance.

Regards Steve