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Solid state amplifiers and sound stage, especially front to back "depth"

I've been enjoying my trial period with the Van Alstine SET 400 stereo amplifier. When I'm done and have collected my thoughts, I may write up a summary.

In the meantime, a question for folks with more experience. I've noticed is that the amp produces a sound stage that is nicely defined and articulate from left to right, but not as much from front to back. (My Adcom was also unable to create sound stage depth.) I know my room is capable of that sound stage because my tube amp accomplishes it.

Question: Is it typical of solid state amps to have less of a front to back sound stage than tube amps? Do they vary in this regard? Or, perhaps, am I failing to do something -- such as re-position my speakers? (After all, I immediately get that sound stage back when I switch amplifier without moving anything else.)

If you have any experience with solid state amplifiers and sound stage -- front to back, left to right, or whatever, I'm curious.

This is not about me keeping or not keeping the amp. There are many things I already really like about it. But I'm wondering about this aspect.

Thanks.
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Showing 6 responses by lowrider57

lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,396 posts
 
Speaker position, reflections, the recording I would think has more to do with soundstage.
djones51, I absolutely agree. Also the design of the speakers. I spent many listening sessions adjusting speaker position to get the optimal imaging. Toe-in and rake-angle helped fine tune the soundstage. Using absorbion or diffusion on the front wall between speakers can tighten focus. Furniture or a large rack between the speakers can reduce depth. In my room, which is a living/listening space, I discovered the room was too damped and needed some areas of reflection.

But ultimately, I think the amp and preamp have to be capable of presenting a wide and deep soundstage.


lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,396 posts
 
I’m experiencing a wide and deep soundstage using an Atma-sphere 30W amp with an Audio Note linestage. The 3D image is often holographic. Don’t dismiss the effect a preamp contributes to deep imaging.
I also have absorbion panels on the side walls near the front wall (in the area of the speakers).

Now having said that, I owned a Sunfire 300 which was capable of 3D imaging through the front wall, equal to or exceeding the tube amps I’ve owned.

lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,396 posts
 
There is lot more involve reproducing sound stage depth. First and foremost is the recording itself. Audio chain cannot reproduce "depth" if it not encoded in to the recording. Most of my classical music recordings have excellent depth or front-to-back layering.

 I listen mostly to symphonies and concerti. Well engineered recordings capture a wide and deep soundstage. Minimal mic techniques result in a sense of space in all directions whereas modern multi, close mic'd recordings lose that imaging. The soundstage may extend beyond the speakers, but 3D imaging is lost. There are some classical labels and certain concert halls which today reproduce a deep soundstage. 
This is a genre which proves depth is in the recording.


lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,396 posts
 
Aubreybobb,
http://www.criticalmasssystems.com/productPages/centerStage.html

They look similar to the Isoacoustics design. Can you provide pricing ?

lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,396 posts
 
Critical Mass... found a price list.

lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,396 posts
 
I think it's safe to say that Ralph is a Renaissance Man.

@niodari
The company is Atma-sphere Music Systems. No affiliation.
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