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 terra3

My Plinius 9200 has substantial depth in the soundstage.

That said, as understood by most, the difference in the room dictates that to a level you would not at first expect.  My old single level ranch house with a 50 ft x 40 ft living room/listening area allowed that to be at its peak.  A second acreage, the system didn't sound good at all with everything in tight.  My current acreage, despite smaller listening room has dimensions and construction/setup that gets pretty close to what I had in that first place.

At that old place I had a buds Rotel system brought over once and both him and I were stunned how that system sounded in a room where his speakers could be brought out further and things positioned much better for the sound.  Make me believe in room as perhaps the most critical factor to top level sound.