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

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

 

    Recheck (possibly try reversing) phase on the MC 275/LaScala connections.

                 L/R cable (speaker or interconnect) orientation, perhaps?

                           +1, regarding time for amp to break in.

                  Can you try your original processor to amp cable again? 

 

Beyond all the recommendations already made, you might just consider that the switch from solid state to tubes is the reason you are experiencing the changes you noticed.  I have a McIntosh MC7300 (solid state), and two preamps, the C2200 (tube) and a C38 (solid state).  Although the situation is reversed in my case, with the amp being solid state and the preamps being either tube or solid state, the difference in sound assessment is equally notable.  And not in a bad way at all, just that using either the tube or solid state preamp with the solid state amp leads to a different perception of the music presentation.  And frankly I enjoy both.  

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Is it possible your av processor settings changed, or you got the speaker polarity wring before or after?