Component contributions to “sound stage”

For me personally 

1 Speakers (speaker placement)

1a acoustic treatment

2 amp and preamp had about the same influence 

3 upgraded to discreet DAC

Everthing else was minor compared to these.

Source, amp, cable all contribute to soundstage.

But most important one is speaker.

I had gone through lot of speaker through my 45 years of audio history.

But line array speaker like Scaena seems to give more realstic soundstage.

Wison speakers are also famous for sharp focus, deep and wide soundstage,, but can sound when overdone.

Thomas

Speakers  placement     

Acoustic treatment

Synergistic Research FEQ Carbon  Frequency Equalizer

I have a CD that is produced specifically to test the placement of your speakers.  Sorry I can't give you the name as I'm not at home for a couple months.  This recording consists of a dozen tracks with explanations of what instruments you are hearing and exactly where you should be hearing them.  It's proof positive that the sound stage is in the recording.  Sure your equipment can play a part in the enhancement of the sound, but you can't reproduce something that's not there to begin with.  Since the recording is designed to maximise speaker placement, it would stand to reason this is the place to start?   

Very good question...

I would say speaker placement (back wall, rear wall, toe in/out) seating position are probably the most important. Of course, recordings and components all contribute to soundstage.