2. amps-preamps
  3. 185405-71961

How Do Amps Affect Soundstage?

I'm not that technically strong on audio yet, so please refrain from mockery on this....

My DAC, premamp, and amp combo (all tube) throw a nice soundstage.  If I substitute (at least some) solid state stereo amps, soundstage is constricted.  If the amp is basically just increasing the signal that it is receiving from the preamp, I don't get how the size and shape of the presentation is altered materially from what the preamp is delivering. (I get that the signal could get distorted, etc.).  How does the amp play such role?  And do monoblocks enjoy any design advantage in maintaining the soundstage received?  Thanks.

mathiasmingus
mossyrocks
19 posts
 

Got that info from Chris at part connection- who created the sonic frontiers brand.

Oh and thanks for the very polite discourse.

 

mossyrocks
19 posts
 

Sonicsmith

If you have a recommendation for a better amp pairing with the Ref 6 I would be happy to hear it.

 

jpasko01
14 posts
 

Mossy, I also have a 4B3 Bryston. I’ve been searching for a compatible Tube Pre that matches without blowing my load on an ARC Ref 6.  The pairing makes a ton of sense on paper.  Following with great vim and vigor. 

mossyrocks
19 posts
 

I used to have a hybrid pre with the Bryston that I could really crank, but was a combo that was very bright thru my Focal 1028be.

The mistake I have made is buying components piecemeal and not taking a system approach.

Good luck finding a fit

othercrazycanuck
30 posts
 

Tube amps change your frequency response. Heck ya that impacts sound stage. Some say distortion emphasizes some frequencies so my guess is that impacts sound stage too. Distortion I think impacts ambience which I used to confuse with sound stage. I think a lot of people confuse the two. In my own tests solid state amps all are similar for sound stage. I would assume ones meant to be like tubes would do the same as tube amps and sound different.  If I run tubes and solid state on the main system and let the Lyngdorf do it's thing they all sound similar. Not the same, but similar.

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