How do I get the best soundstage?


I have a better than decent digital system. I.e. Pass integrated amp, Innuos streamer and USB reclocker, Ayre DAC with Less Loss power cable and firewall, Volti speakers. I’m my dedicated listening room the digital system is sonically superb to my ear - Except that the soundstage is ok but not the best. So, maybe I missed the boat on that. I have a vintage Technics table and Phono box S2 (basic start for vinyl). I’m now ready to move up to a better TT and phono preamp. I already have a used TT, a VPI Classic, coming. So, I’m looking for advice on how to get an exceptional soundstage. Should I be looking at spending more on the phono preamp or does the cartridge make more of a difference in soundstage. Also, should I be questioning the speakers for soundstage quality?. I’m looking to spend no more that 3500 on a used preamp. The VPI table has a low output mc Transfiguration Axia cartridge. Thanks in advance for any ideas you can share!

hysteve

Showing 3 responses by hysteve

lewm I can’t say that I am totally satisfied with the soundstage but, I’m not sure whether the culprit is the Voltis themselves, the room treatment or speaker placement. I have experimented with placement but not to the inth degree nor with an expert. Some recordings are better than others. Definitely have a lot of left - right going on with vocals in the center but, that’s not “soundstage”.

lak the speakers are Volti Razz; interconnects are less loss xlr ($950); speaker cables are Audioquest Granite (pretty old but sound decent)

No, I have not experienced an excellent soundstage yet. I bought the Voltis at Greg’s place in Tennessee last year in March and we went over his placement recommendations at that time. He had a much bigger room though and was using really an inferior DAC, at least in my experience. I started out with a DAC (border patrol) exactly like the one he demoed the speakers with and since then found a much better one (Ayre QB9 twenty). Granted the fact that he may have been using better speaker cables than what I have and a better set up otherwise. I’m not aware of the place to load a photo of my system but I will look into it and see if I can. Thanks! Steve