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Best Amplifier for LS3/5a

Happy New Year All!  Seeking advice from LS3/5 enthusiasts!  I have tried a number of these speakers (Graham, Harbeth, Falcon and KEF LS50's (if that counts)) - and to me the Falcon Gold Badge really stood out. It's been a while now since I did the comparison, so I don't remember all the details - but I felt that the Falcons were the most musical, engaging, open and did NOT have bloated bass (important for a small room)!  I've held on to a pair for my bedroom system, but I don't think that my current bedroom amps (AGD Audions, which I love with my current Raidho XT-1 monitors) are the best match for them.  I get a bit too much sizzle on the top and some associated sibilance.

Herb Reichert (Stereophile) seems to love these speakers, and his review notes that the Parasound A21+ was too dry with these speakers, but he really liked the Line Magnetic LM-518 IA.  That's not going to work for me!  In this bedroom system I keep the amp(s) under the bed and generally leave them on 24/7.  If possible, I prefer a balanced design, as I want NO HUM in my bedroom and my DAC/Pre (Weiss 501) has both balanced and RCA outs.

Based on the intended setup, I think balanced solid state would make the most sense. Amp selection might be influenced by the speakers having 15 ohm input impedance.

Any suggestions?  Thanks, Peter

peter_s

Showing 3 responses by celtic66

celtic66
1,612 posts
 

Ran vintage LS 3/5A 15 ohm and currently run Weiss 501.  I've run the Rogers LS 3/5A with Sugden A21SE to great affect.  They require as you know lots of quality high current, not wattage.

Class A is magical with these.  Sugden is not balanced but I do not believe that would improve over unbalanced in this application.  Best success.

celtic66
1,612 posts
 

More than enough.  People continually underestimate well designed Class A.  My wife’s system runs Luxman 509X at 110 wpc Class A/B.  Speakers are ATC 20s.  Closed cabinet, difficult load.  The Luxman has enough current to control everything well.

I slotted my Sugden A21SE (17 years old) Class A 33 wpc and it more than held its own.  In fact I might prefer it.  But not by much.

The LS 3/5A presents a tortuous load to mediocre designs with unstable current. The sound stage will collapse and dynamics suffer.  It all seems lifeless.

Best wishes solving this challenge.

celtic66
1,612 posts
 

@mspot is correct about 24/7 powered up.

@mijostyn gives accurate information about the LS 3/5A characteristics.  I just do not know how crazy loud or how much bass you will demand for a bedroom system from an understandably small monitor meant for near field moderate levels.

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