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.
128x128hilde45

Showing 1 response by sbank

@hilde45 ,

You've provoked a very interesting conversation! 

As for the "well designed" ss amps that can reproduce depth well, IMHE, Krell older Class A designs, Pass Labs, Boulder, and more affordably Coda, Odyssey, First Watt and Sunfire all have models that I've heard do it pretty effectively when mated with appropriate speakers also capable of recreating depth. 
I'd say the chances are higher with a random tube amp vs. a random ss amp, but we're not investing our money in random, are we? 

Some of the rabbit holes discussed, speaker placement and room treatment are certainly worthwhile considerations and I'm glad to hear you've addressed them. I'm having a tough time buying into the concept of needing to REVISIT them due an amp change. 

An observation that might help, most mixes tend to place drums and bass toward the rear of the soundstage. Maybe certain ss amps that struggle with low end frequency performance in other aspects result in the perceived lack of depth?   Perhaps trying out tracks with an acoustic bass upstage would provide some insights. Cheers, 

Spencer