Mahler vs. Strauss


I find that the sound picture of Mahler’s orchestration is more effectively produced in stereo recording than that of Richard Strauss. I think both are superlative orchestrators, but somehow Mahler’s symphonies image better than Strauss’s tone poems on my system. They seem to be fuller, fill the sound stage more effectively, and are easier to reproduce. Not that in any way they sound “bad.” They sound fine, but Mahler’s orchestration seems more effective.
Does anyone else have that impression?
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Mahler became a quick favorite for me during speaker auditions because of the amount of space in the soundstage -- not sure if that captures what you're hearing, but I can glimpse what makes Mahler's orchestration more demonstrative of a deep or wide soundstage. I've not done more than skim this, but possibly of interest
I have always found  symphonies, regardless of composer, are difficult to reproduces on a home stereo.  Have tended to stay with works ranging from solo, up to quintets.  Personal preference I understand, but for me the listening enjoyment is greater.  
I have not really noticed what you're obviously hearing.  I think newbee's possible explanation makes a lot of sense to me.
To be sure, there's a good deal of Richard Strauss I like.  I truly love the Four Last Songs, the opera Ariadne Auf Naxos (some utterly sublime tunes!) and at least the opening fanfare of Thus Spake Zarathustra.  But yeah, I ultimately find him a little bit pat, noisy and empty. 

By comparison, Mahler conjures up universes you can walk around in and get lost inside of.  He can take you back to the dawn of history, to the first days of our planet. His Ninth Symphony takes you forward in time to a day where the earth is a smoking, poisonous ruin.