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Sound staging; Sepertaes Vs. Integrated

Is ther a technical reason as to why seperates can (Or do) throw a wider and or deeper soundstage? I have great imaging from my integrated but, also remember that my seperates that I used to have threw a bigger stage and was wondering why that might be and if someone could could help as to the reason(s) why that might be?
rsjm80
phaelon
1,053 posts
 
Agree with Robsker.
Unless you’re comparing the same circuit design - the only differences being those necessary to to expand/condense between one and two or three chassis - the comparison is unfair. My current integrated amplifier throws a more convincing soundstage than many separates that I’ve heard. Quality of parts and design are the key factors, not the number of boxes they’re in.
rsjm80 OP
207 posts
 
Robsker & Phaelon, Thanks also for your opinions, I am usuing a Classe CAP 151 integrated and has been forelorning a bit of the difference from my prior Aragon 2004/18K and have considered changing to maybe a Simaudio (like maybe the I-7) unit or a Mcintosh (MA 6600)that comes to mind, but... I connect my ARC CD 3 Mk 2 balanced and need an integrated that can accomidate that as well as having enough headroom and power for my Apogee Slant 6s. Don't get me wrong the presentation IS great just maybe looking to squeeze even more again and (hopefully) stop changing in any future (even though I'd like to be full ARC).
almarg's avatar
almarg
9,670 posts
 
Frogman, thank you kindly for the implicit compliment.

I essentially agree with all of the foregoing comments, including yours. As Phaelon and Robsker have indicated, generalizations about design approaches will inevitably be wrong in many cases. But to the extent that there may be a TENDENCY for separates to produce bigger soundstages than integrateds, I would expect that in a lot of cases a major factor is that the more circuitry is put on a single chassis, the more opportunity there is for unwanted interaction between various parts of that circuitry.

In principle it would seem that that tendency could be overcome with sufficient care in the design process. And I don't doubt that in many cases it is overcome. But any design involves so many competing variables, tradeoffs, and compromises that it wouldn't be surprising if the inherent and potential advantages and disadvantages of a particular design approach tend to come to the fore more often than not.

Best regards,
-- Al
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