Replaced CDP w/ Transport; Now, Soundstage Changes Dramatically w/each CD. Why?

If you were playing two CD’s of the same recording and it was doing this it would be strange.

However - If you are playing two different CD’s then sound stage should be very different from CD to CD in order to reflect the "venue" - or the "venue" the sound engineer is trying to emulate.

You mentioned the resolution had chaned/improved - that would definitely affect the sound stage as follows...

• wider and deeper image
• improved artist placement with greater location precision
• instruments may sound softer or louder depending on whether the change in sound stage moved them forward or backwards within the image
• changes to venue acoustics (i.e. echoes and reverberations)
• More details

Changing cables can also have similar impact on image size, venue acoustics and artist placement.

Sound stage depends on the sound engineering applied to the recording and the precision of the recording. e.g. Large venues should sound BIG and intimate smaller venues should be reflected accordingly

Hope that makes sense - Steve

@stuartk - take a look at KLE Innovations cables

https://kleinnovations.com/kle-innovations-klei-products/
SPDIF...
https://kleinnovations.com/kle-innovations-klei-products/klei-gzseries-cables/klei-gzero-digital/kle...

All of their cables are very good and outperform most other brands and prices are in AUS $

I order from them direct and they take about a week to come from Aus...

If you want to try DIY here's a link to my own IC's that can be used for SPDIF...
http://image99.net/blog/files/category-002ahelix-interconnect-cable.html


Regards

"Another thing to consider for soundstage definition improvement is what sits under your components."

Agreed - I have had great success using 3 brass cones under all of my components. I also tried wood cones, which provided audible improvements, but the brass cones provided a little more detail and clarity.

In my case, the components sit on a granite tile with a thin rubberized mat between it and the MDF shelf. 

The brass cones vary in diameter/depth, from a 2.5" dia cone 1.25" high for the turntable down to 3/4" dia cone 1/4" high for my Bluesound Node streamer.

Unfortunately, all of the cones were custom made so I cannot recommend a brand, but there are some good commercially available products out there.

Regards - Steve