Best Class A amp with SLAM

Bo, I read your post about the best cables to use and the size of images they generate with Pass amps. If I am understanding your post correctly, then you are talking about bloated images. I use MIT cables exclusively throughout my system, from power cords to speaker cables, and I do not perceive bloated images. In fact, I had AQ cables in the past and I don't recall any change in image size with the same amp, preamp, and speaker combination.

I had my son, who sang in the Chorale in college stand at my stereo center and count and sing. His voice image seemed comparable to voice images on my stereo. Further, I listen to live ensembles at times at the University and perceive the sound of the instruments and imaging to be quite similar to my stereo.

Years ago, I heard a full SS, very high end system that had pinpoint images. My buddy used MIT cables. His system was startling due to these sharp, pinpoint images in space; but to me a guitar has a body, a cello has a body, a voice has a body. I preferred the imaging of my system even back then. I think it is more about the preamp than cables. I have used ARC pre's since 1989 with various amps. I perceive the images have body in my system and they are not bloated. A triangle, for example, or a cymbal have more of a pinpoint image. So does a wood block. Piano notes have sharp images with the corresponding body in the reverb.

I will also add that tweaks to stabilize and isolate the sources, speakers and even preamp and amp add sharpness/focus to the images; but I don't recall them making the images smaller.

Does that make sense to you?

Bo, what you just said makes sense to me now. I listen mostly to Jazz and Rock. I listen to some classical, like chamber music; but rarely full orchestral pieces. When I had my son stand and count and sing, he was 14' away from my listening position. When I play music, most singers are about that same perceived distance- just inside the back wall. So I get an intimate, nearly front row seat. Records have a sound stage from left to right, wall to wall and front to back going from in front of the speakers back into the rear wall. (Imaging is best in the dark when the back wall is invisible).

What I am getting at is full orchestral music on my system is too big, like you are saying. It is like being in the front rows, not in the middle or back. I wouldn't say the instruments are too big, just that they feel close. Is that what you are talking about?

Thanks Bo for the clarification and interesting comments. I don't want to hijack this thread into a cable discussion. Er, well maybe too late...