Soundstage drastically worsened when I replaced a solid state AV amp with tubes.


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Hello. I am streaming music with Qobuz and Apple Music through a McIntosh MX123 A/V processor, into a McIntosh MC8207 7-channel solid state amplifier (200 watts x 7 channels), into Klipsch La Scala speakers (105 dB sensitivity). (I also have an SVS 2000 sub-woofer.) (The components are behind the wall in the photo.) With that setup, I had a 180 degree soundstage, extending laterally well beyond my speakers and from ceiling to floor in height. I wanted to see if tubes would improve the system for music listening, so I added a McIntosh MC275 amp to power the front L and R LaScalas. Now the MC8207 is used only to power the surround speakers. The MC275 improved the warmth of the music and greatly increased the bass. However, the lateral soundstage is gone. I now have a deeper soundstage focused perfectly between the speakers, but the lateral and height extensions are gone. It is as though I am back in the 1950s listening to a single mono speaker directly in front of my listening position. The music is beautiful, but I miss the soundstage. Other than replacing the amp for the LaScalas, everything else is the same. I did have to temporarily add an extension chord to the McIntosh power cord until I can get one of the proper length, so that could be the culprit. Otherwise, does anyone have any ideas regarding why the soundstage so drastically changed? I expected the soundstage to improve with the tubes, but it worsened. Thanks for your thoughts!

therandyman

Showing 5 responses by therandyman

One more thing:  Yes, the switch is on STEREO.  I had the same thought.  Thanks.

More great comments, thanks.  To answer some questions:  The amp was purchased as new, but had been on the dealer's floor as a demo.  The amp itself is well burned-in.  The tubes are new, but have been left "on" for a few weeks prior to installation at my home.  They probably need another 50 or so hours to properly burn in.  There is no photo because I did not know how to properly attach it to my post.  I copied it, pasted it, it appeared on my pre-posting screen, but evaporated when I entered the post.  I also realized that I have different balanced cables running from the amp to the processor.  I'll look into that as well as the power cord.  Thanks again for all the thoughtful, non-judgmental responses!

The cables are different.  The original installation on the MC8207 had Kimber Kables (silver), only a few inches long, to connect the amp to the processor.  The new installation of the 275 is outside the equipment rack, several feet from the processor.  I am not sure of the brand of balanced cable, as it is only temporary, but I'm sure it is a much lower quality than the silver Kimbers.  I'm thinking that is a part of the problem, but no way to tell just yet.  Thanks for the comment.