Are you troubled by the imaging of a symphony orchestra?

No.

As far as the “problem” that you describe, the vast majority of my Decca, EMI, Lyrita, RCA LS, Mercury LP, and some others have no problem placing strings in their traditional places on the soundstage. 

Good post by Brownsfan 😊

mglik, you may find this interesting (scroll down a bit):

https://andrewhugill.com/OrchestraManual/seating.html

mglik, something for you to consider that hasn’t been mentioned.

Have you attended concerts by different orchestras and not mostly just one? I ask because not all orchestras arrange the strings with all violins hard left and violas, cello and basses to the right.

Some orchestras situate violas spread across the center, left to right; others to the right. Still others place the celli on the left and to the right of the first violins with the second violins hard right. Sometimes the basses are situated left and rear. There are still other preferred seating arrangements and they are at the discretion of the hometown conductor; seldom the guest conductor.

If you are used to hearing what you describe, recordings by orchestras which use a different seating arrangement may account for your reaction.