Do all Class D amps lack soundstage depth?


Hello!
Recently I bought a class D amp for my friend from Audiogon - PS Audio Trio A-100. In general, I liked it sound very much. Compared to the power section of my much cheaper integrated amp (NAD C320BEE), Trio A-100 sounded fresher, more transparent, richer and juicier. NAD was obviously duller and more reserved. Trio A-100 seemed to energize the air with a sort of vibrancy, while NAD seemed more lifeless. (Of course, I am exaggerating the difference between the amps a bit to make it more clear how they differ from each other.) However, Trio A-100 lacked one parameter, which is very essential for me and without which I cannot truly get lost in the music – namely, the soundstage was flat. It wasn’t absolutely flat, no – but NAD did so much better in this department. When NAD was playing, I heard which instruments and singers were farther from me and which were closer to me. When Trio was playing, everything seemed to be on the same line, equidistant from me.

The previous owner of PS Audio Trio A-100 had told to me about its sound before I bought the amp from him, and he frankly admitted that the soundstage was kind of flat. Before this purchase, I nearly bought another Class D amp – namely, Bel Canto S300. Eventually, this amp went to another buyer, but the owner shared with me his impressions about this amp and, among other things, he wrote: “There might be less depth with some recordings”.

So, at least two owners of Class D amps confessed that their amps lacked soundstage depth.

I wonder – are all Class D amps like that? Is the lack of depth something which is intrinsically inherent in Class D?

My second question is – what if I buy TWO Class D amps and use them as monoblocks – will it solve the problem with the flatness of the soundstage?

Any advice based on personal experience will be much appreciated.
ironmine
In my case absolutely not. When i first started using my Nuforce amps the stage was not as large or deep as i have worked to have now. After going through 2 upgrades with my amps and various power cords along with internal damping, emf rf control, isolation and now a power re generator. This has moved my stage to spread across and behind the 20 foot wide room my speakers are in front of.

I really dont believe this question is just for class d amps. If you experiment with different accessories and speaker set up you can increase soundstage with any amp you use.

The key is you have to take the time and effort to find out what is good or bad in the quest of taking your system to a place where you are happy and enjoy the sound it delivers.
Mike
I really dont believe this question is just for class d amps. If you experiment with different accessories and speaker set up you can increase soundstage with any amp you use.
.

I agree with this comment. I had a class D Jeff Rowland C500 on audition about seven months back my review HERE and i found it to have an impressive soundstage depth. While i ultimately purchased a much better amp see HERE i found that soundstage depth varied according to speaker placement, room treatment and associated products.
06-13-09: Br3098
Tholt, when I said "try another amp" I meant to say try another brand/vendor of amp. I did not mean to suggest that you keep trying the same model/vendor over and over again. There will be a "right" combination, but it may take a while to find it. That's the problem with our hobby (my wife says addiction) - so many choices and so little money.
Br3098 (Answers)

I know this is what you meant. My comment was directly toward the OP's second question
My second question is – what if I buy TWO Class D amps and use them as monoblocks – will it solve the problem with the flatness of the soundstage?

to which I said no, I don't believe it will "solve the problem", at least to the degree he may be looking for since essentially he'd be going with the 'two wrongs make a right' theory, but 2 class d's may improve other areas of sound. Again, I believe it may be a compatibility issue with class d amps and something else in his chain since he got much better imaging from his NAD.
When you find something you like, appreciate it.
Oofer (Threads | Answers)

thanks for the reality check. it's hard to leave well enough alone
If he is planning on running 2 A100 amps it will not work. They are not bridgeable and they are already a Dual Mono design.