LSA Voyager GAN Amplifier

" I can’t find the website for LSA.  Please add the link..."

https://www.underwoodhifi.com/products/lsa-electronics

Have not heard the Bryston cubed series but have owned both the 14BSST and 6BSST (3 channel 4BSST essentially) amps,  The Modwright KWA 150SE was better than both of those in my main system (Modwright LS 36.5DM preamp).  I initially had Thiel 7.2s when I bought the Bryston amps lightly used and then picked up the Thiel 3.7s (and then the Modwright amp).  The 7.2s where harder to drive than the 3.7s.  

A few years back (summer of 2017) a friend was bugging me about Class D.  I told him the last I listened to a bunch of them (probably around 2014 or so)  they were getting better but I didn't think they were there yet.  I told him I was going to RMAF in October 2017 and would look at them more seriously and to hold on as I'd probably buy one for one of my secondary systems at some point.

In early 2018 (I believe), I started to see threads about the Mivera amp and then picked up the SE version.  I broke it in using a secondary system where at the time I had an Odyssey Candela preamp, a Bryston 3BST amp, a Meitner MA-1 DAC and Ohm Microwalsh Tall speakers augmented by a Rel Strata III sub.  It's a small bedroom and I had a mini PC running JRiver.  I merely substitued the Mivera for the Bryston 3BST.  After running the Mivera for a bit over a week, I brought it over to the friend's place where he had a First Watt J2.  The Mivera to me was clearly better. 

I picked up upgraded fuses and first compared the Mivera to am Emotiva XPA200 I had in my UHD system (Sherbourn preamp and B&W P6 speakers).  The Mivera smoked it.  Then I compared it to the Modwright in the main system (Modwright preamp, EMM Labs DAC 2X and Lumin U1 music server) and the Mivera was clearly better in every way (which shocked me as I was thinking I'd just put the Mivera back in a secondary system.  I cautiously played the Mivera as I was afraid it wouldn't drive my Thiel 3.7s (was I wrong).

Anyway, when I got the EVS1200 (which is dual mono and modded vs. the stereo IcePower board in the Mivera), I broke it in using the system with the B&W P6s (before using it in the main system).  Of course it had more power but the ease, clarity, tonality and imaging were clearly much better.  I expected it to be a drop better but it surpassed that.  It exhibited those same improved qualities in the main system.  I had multiple friends over so all the impressions noted above are not just my opinion.

I could easily live with the EVS 1200 (although I'm sure there as things better).  I've upgraded secondary systems (still working on those) including the office system (now have Vanatoo Transparent Ones) and watching this thread with interest.  Not in a rush.  Through the journey, I don't think much of the Bryston squared series (btw, I've also owned Bryston preamps and I also owned one of their DACs - I've not heard the newer cubed series).  There's a used 6BSST being sold by The Music Room right now and they are asking $3.3k.  To me (my opinion) that's insanely overpriced.  A new Bryston 14B cubed (and I've not heard the cubed series (just was that disappointed in comparing cheaper things to the squared series) is around $11.2k.  Right now there is a (used) Gryphon Diablo 300 (integrated) on the Canuck Audio Mart for $13k USD.  If I was going to spend that kind of money I'd grab the Gryphon.  When I bought my Bryston amps (lightly used around 2002 and 2003), they were good values.  Then the price of the Canadian dollar vs. the USD soared (and the CAD was worth a bit more at one point) and the list price of the Brystons went through the roof.  When the Canadian dollar retreated (I think it is around $0.79 USD as of today), the prices didn't go back.  

The current worldwide shortage of some parts I'm sure impacts prices as well and will continue to do so.  I'd guess that it is encouraging audio enthusiasts to try some of the newer Class D amps.  It seems to me that there are many mainstream A/AB amps (not talking about the ultra high end) being sold for less than they used to be (I noted about the Modwright KWA 150SE in an early response).  I wouldn't even consider the Bryston squared series bought used for a home theater as there are better things out there for less money (I realize there are many things today that are sold consumer direct vs. through a dealer network which also impacts that factor).  I think that's why there are dealers who deal in the ultra high end who have store fronts in places like industrial parks vs. tradional shopping centers.  Those ultra high end products, while really expensive, are clearly better than most of the amps discussed here.

" Perhaps the ceiling/roof weighs more and is harder than before, which might tighten up the sound.  Soft wood walls make the sound warmer and looser."

Agree - I have these in many of my rooms as well -  https://www.tmsoundproofing.com/Electric-Box-Seal.html?sku=BOXSEAL_STC012102

I have a GaN 5 as well.  It came relatively fast.  I got mine when they were $699.  I actually have an integrated AV main system and bought it for home theater to drive my Thiel 3.7s.  While my Modwright LS36.5 DM has HT Bypass, the back of my equipment is very difficult to get to and I'm using it in balanced mode so I have the GaN 5 hooked to the receiver pre-outs and just swap speaker cables.

I broke the GaN 5 amp in using my UHD home theater.  I can use that system for music but it is only used a few times per year for that.  I have old B&W P6s as main speakers (which I've owned since 1997).  I have a Mivera SE amp in that system and while I didn't do comparisons (the intent was to break the amp in for just over a week), I can tell you from the few things I listened to when I'd go into the room now and then, the  GaN 5 definitely acquitted itself well, especially considering its price point.  I have a Sherbourn preamp in the system and a Panasonic 9000 I used to stream music files from my NAS.

" Ricevs, what is your website address?"

http://tweakaudio.com/EVS-2/index.html

" BTW.....just got an email from Wyred for Sound.....in a month
or so their 400W per channel $3000 GaN amp will be released.
I wonder if they are also using the same modules and power supply
that LSA and Peachtree are supposedly using. We shall see."

I guess this is the new amp?
https://www.stereophile.com/content/wyred4sounds-new-aura-preamplifier-gallium-power-amplifier-rs-1-...

" Damn, what happened to just figuring out how something sounds, how does it sound relative to other kit, and what are the system synergies. I mean, some of the tussles in this thread just blow my mind."

Amen to that - when I started following the thread (with real interest in the product), I had to look to see that it was really about the LSA amp vs. the now deleted EVS 1200 thread (and probably most of the other Class D threads).  Some things just don't change.  Just wanted to let everyone know who is positively contributing to the thread I greatly appreciate the information from real hands on experience.

" Last week I got the mini GAN from class D audio. I have been very impressed with this little amp. I also have the Carver Crimson 275 tube and Van Alstine synergy 450 SS amp. Frankly I like it better than AVA amp and as good as the Crimson 275 with much more power and bass impact. I have also ordered the Voyager 350 and waiting for its delivery."  

Thanks for the update.  I have the mini GAN too (for a bit) but I just bought it for HT as it is easier just to swap speaker cables when I watch a movie (my main system is an integrated AV system).  I broke the mini GAN amp using my UHD HT listening to 2-channel files via my Panasonic 9000 (which goes into a Sherbourne preamp and then out to the amp).

I didn't do detailed comparisons (have old B&W P6s as mains in that system) vs. the Mivera SE amp (with upgraded fuses) but could tell it certainly was somewhere in the same league.  At one point I had the Mivera in another secondary system (in a small bedroom) where it trounced an old Bryston 3BST right out of the box.  The Mivera then went into the main system where it bettered my Modwright KWA150 SE (which had bettered a Bryston 14BSST I owned before) and now have the EVS 1200 in the main system (driving Thiel 3.7s, Modwright LS 36.5 DM preamp and Lumin U1 music server) which was better than the Mivera.

I am still amazed to this day that the last two (IcePower) Class Ds were better than the Class A/AB amps both in sound quality and driving the Thiel 3.7s (and given their impedance I am still amazed - https://www.stereophile.com/content/thiel-cs37-loudspeaker-measurements).  I had Thiel 7.2s before the 3.7s which were a tougher load (base on experience with the Class A/AB amps noted above and others).  About 7-8 years back I heard Class Ds at an audio show and while they had come a long way, at that point in time they seemed to run out of steam driving some speakers.

I do think that Class A/AB at some point will become undesirable for most (e.g. https://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/mbl-noble-line-n11-preamplifier-and-n15-monoblock-amplifie...) given how Class D is progressing.  There is one used KWA-150 SE on hifishark right now for with an asking price of $3,457 ( https://reverb.com/item/36606380-modwright-kwa-150se-stereo-power-amplifier-signature-edition-kwa150...)  Given the fact it is a current model that lists for $9k and I've seen other used listings at $3.5k or below, I'd think that for those who objectively listen (vs. those with no experience and prejudice based on hypothetical theories - and there will always be a bunch of those - I wouldn't expect those making more expensive Class A,AB amplifiers to agree as it is not in their financial interest) the word is spreading.  It may be a bit before Class D starts to compete with the likes of Constellation, VAC, Boulder, D'Agostino amplifiers, etc., but it has come a really long way.

btw - this guy does some interesting reviews - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1hPTDY4hJg

Sometimes, he plays music I end up liking.  The above is Part 2 (of three - part three isn't out yet - part one was put out a couple of days ago).

It is done at the location of a dealer (Suncoast Audio on the Florida's West Coast) who carries some of the best stuff.  If you look at other videos online and see Jay's system, one can see he has a super serious high end system.  I linked this part as Part 1 dealt with his top tier amplifiers.  In this part, he mentions Merrill Audio, specifically their Element 118 Class D amplifiers (and I've personally heard them at audio shows) and mentions that they may even belong in Part 1 with the list of top tier amplifiers.

That's one reason actual listening (vs. hypothesizing with no experience) is most desirable.  Anyone who watches his videos can see what high end components he has and has had (and I'd venture to say that many would take the stuff he didn't like in a heartbeat) and while of course everyone can have an opinion, a preconceived opinion without hands on experience is what it is.  I wouldn't seek medical treatment from someone who has read a few medical books and has some experience as a dental hygienist.  It's not that such a person is without any medical knowledge or is not smart.  It is just not the same as someone who has finished medical school and been practicing for years.

Mods to digital vs. mods to something like an amp or preamp are a bit different.  Years back back I had a tube mod to a Sony XA-777ES.  I still have a solid state modded Oppo BDP-83 (which is just there if someone brings a disc over as I'm not into disc playback at this point).  Other than minor mods, I can't ever foresee getting either a digital or video thing modded again. For one thing, the draw mechanism and transport is usually only manufactured for a limited period.  Once that passes, the manufacturer is not going to retrofit new parts in and write new software for it.  As far as not modding during the warranty period, that is a safe practice to follow.

That's still not a bad thing about the switch (and more useful than the shorting pins that came with the EVS 1200).  In my case, I have an integrated AV system and if used for HT, even though my system is not the greatest for getting to the back of the equipment, it wouldn't be that hard to leave the RCAs coming from the receiver disconnected (and I don't need anything exotic for the RCA interconnects to watch a movie).  Right now I have the Class D Audio GaN amp connected to a pair of military spec speaker wires and I just unplug those (and for safety just in case have a cheap pair of small bookshelves plugged in when not in use, which is the majority of the time, just in case the amp accidently gets turned on).

Most of us are all anxiously watching this thread for updated information.  Thanks to all who are giving real world feedback.

Sorry to hear about the shipping troubles.  Over the years, I've actually had more problems from UPS but in the last several Fedex has made up lots of ground in that department.  Unfortunately, I think they really don't care all that much about customer issues from my experience.  Many years back I even called corporate headquarers (901-818-7500 - they are located at 942 S Shady Grove Rd, Memphis, TN 38120) and tried to talk to the national customer service representative and that didn't seem to get any better response as I wasn't even able to get connected to anyone.

Parts Connexion also sells their own branded version - https://www.partsconnexion.com/CONNEX-83389.html

These are the Nobosound spring feet (I have a couple of sets on transports) - https://www.amazon.com/Nobsound-Aluminum-Speakers-Isolation-Amplifiers/dp/B07K9ZYP84

" I can see ricevs rolling his eyes and saying I am too analytical and I need to love more"  I'll give him one more reason to roll his eyes:)  I bought the amp.  I should have it around the middle of next week (like Tweak1 I was using an EVS1200 but I intend to keep mine and move it to a secondary system - been busy taking pics to get rid of an extra amp and one other thing which I should have listed later today (I tend to rotate to secondary systems and then either sell what's left over or if it is more of a hassle to sell and not worth tons, I'll give it to someone).  Since I am certified crazy, I have multiple secondary systems.  This should keep me off the streets for at least a few months).

+ another one (for Chorus).  My modded Voyager came late yesterday afternoon.  My friend is coming over later and we'll first listent to the EVS1200 with a playlist we went through last week and then swap in the Voyager (my system is a pain to get to stuff).  Seeing the Voyager in person, it really looks nice.  If it is not too difficult, I may try to do a video and put it on YouTube.  I did a video a bit after 7pm last night (with the EVS1200) of the first two minutes of one song and when I get it it I'll try repeating about the same time of day with the Voyager (used a decebt point and shoot camera and I'll see if it's not too much of a pain to get it on YouTube).

" cascadesphil,
On this weekend, maybe you will have a c hance to tell us how the Voyager compares to the EVS 1200."
" I’d love to hear that comparison also, cascadesphil"

All my listening observations to date (I believe it is noted either in this thread or Jay's thread) are and will be posted here:  https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/stock-voyager-gan-amp-350-600-contrasted-with-my-evs1200-600-...

The reasons are explained in the thread.  I limited the comparisons to the two amps (and in that thread) are there (and if additional comments are posted they will be there as well) as there are individuals with no experience with a particular product, let alone in my room (have no idea why people do that - I live close enough to the launches at Cape Canaveral to hear and see them and I'm certainly not going to post stuff about the technical aspects of rocket propulsion and it seems to me that people without direct experience are merely hypothesing based on either no or limited experience with the products using some of the same technology).

In process (today) of setting up the EVS1200 in a secondary system (today) sing Selah Audio SA2s.  The EVS is a wonderful amp in its own right (and probably severe overkill where I'll be using it).  I had a Mivera SE amp (which I sold a few weeks back) which used an IcePower stereo board (vs. the dual mono) and before that Class A/AB amps in the $9k retail price range.  Any comments I put related to those things are based on both my personal experience with my system as well as quoting observations of friends who have experienced it in person as well.  I don't make blanket statements about products of any kind which I have not heard in my system or other systems I'm familiar with as there is always system synergy as well as the personal tastes of others and I can't tell anyone else what they hear or don't hear or what they like.

I wouldn't go by anything ASR says about anything.  They reviewed the Class D Audio mini GaN amp and found "I had trouble getting the amplifier to function initially. It would simply not output anything."  Then magically the amp worked later.  The case of the mini GaN amp is magnetic and perhaps interfered with his initial try or it was the cheap connectors (I have one and noted the cheap connectors and magnetic case in a review elsewhere - in the system where I currently have it, which is basically a guest bedroom, I don't think the connectors are of as good quality as a Marantz 5010 receiver I have in the system as I couldn't get the high level connectors to a sub and speaker connectors working on one channel - was fine when I connected the sub to the receiver pre-outs).

It is hysterical that people even follow that site.  I have a friend who bought the Apollon Audio IcePower amp in the narrow depth case they reviewed.  ASR mentioned the case - "The top and rear plates are to blame. I have no idea about the metal used, but it is clearly not rigid/solid enough."  Whatever he said about the case is BS.  Yes it is not a Bryston or Modwright or the case one would find in an expensive amp.  ASR seems to have issues that from personal experience just don't exist.  It is either the worst luck in the world or an agenda of some sort.

As I noted here - https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=179033.msg1882290#msg1882290   "There are all kinds of skill levels when using a tool of any kind.  It is always better when the people with the most skills use the same tool.  Pros always make it look easy and that's why in many cases even when I have tools for something I can do, I call a real pro."  Knowing how something sounds requires listening.  I've owned a bunch of amps (Class A/AB as well as Class D) and it's easy knowing what something really sounds like when one has lived with them long term and listened to the same music (and I've posted about my speakers many times and their impedance measurements, which also can be found as measured by real pros from major audio magazines and no need to post it again here in response to a worthless audio website - I also will not be waiting up on an upcoming holiday for a visit from Santa and don't need to re-post about that either - whatever one enjoys - go ahead and enjoy).

Ric - it (your modded Voyager) sure does sound great.  I've been swapping in RCAs (vs. the XLRs and as I've noted to you my main system is bigger pain vs. what most people deal with) for movies from the HT receiver and I might even go back to RCAs (I just re-calibrated the HT levels a couple of days back and watched a couple of movies - if I use the RCAs my Modwright preamp defaults to HT Bypass when off I won't have to swap a thing).

I own two of the products measured by ASR (Voyager and Class D Audio mini GaN amplifier) and my friend owns the Apollon Audio IcePower in the shallow depth case.  So I have hands on experience with those products.  Before the Voyager, I was using the EVS 1200 for music and the mini GaN for HT (I've since moved that amp to a system with GR Research N3 speakers to drive the left and right channel fed via a Marantz 5010 receiver - it is a guest bedroom system).

I can tell anyone that while I've not measured the mini GaN amp, it has plenty of power.  It drove my Thiel 3.7s (not an easy load - just Google Thiel CS 3.7 impedance) in a large room with ease.  In fact, I one point I had a Bryston 14BSST (which is rated at 900W into 4 ohms) and it (the mini GaN drove them better for HT (did not try it for music in the main system but did in a secondary system (B&W P6s) vs. the Bryston.  As a side note, the 14BSST I had was the 15 amp version (I got that version as I did not have a 20 amp circuit in the old house) vs. the 20 amp 14BSST (which they made for low impedance speakers).  When Brystom went to the squared and cubed series, they just made 15 amp versions of those amps (as with the change in circuitry they must have found it drove speakers the former version had diffuculty with).

 

"your ears are the final qc in the chain"  That is exactly what audio is about (that's why there's many flavors of ice cream too) and hearing and not liking something is not a bad thing.  Too many ultracrepidarian people in the thread never leads to a resolution as they have no interest in actual experience and no point in debating when their premise is entirely based on flawed information.  If one buys a package of 9V batteries and then measures one at 7 volts and proclaims the brand sucks it is more or less like sticking your hand out the window and feeling wet and assume that it is raining when it may have been birds flying overhead and doing their business.  To each their own.  

Ric - the thread is supposed to be about the Voyager amp and impressions.  The same in reverse would be true if the title of the thread was how does the Voyager amp measure and people chimed in about listening (would be rude).  Obviously, some people not only follow the Jim Jones of audio (and whatever flavor the 900 people who drank the Kool Aid or flavored drink came mixed with the Valium to get to the promised land or wherever) and that is the first issue.  The second issue is the thread title and anyone with any sort of manners would start there own thread and expouse whatever their lack of understanding is and anyone who likes the Kool Aid flavor can join in. 

I own two of the products (and as I noted a sample of one battery in a package that doesn't measure up to snuff is not scientific evidence of anything and there is lots of information if someone cares to read it about appropriate sample sizes in any scientific study) as well as significant experience with a third that a friend owns (all amplifiers) in which ASR has done their thing and I noted earlier it is either horrible luck or a problem with the way it is done.  Those measurements and observations about the case used in one product couldn't be more off the mark about the qualities about the amplifiers in question.  So there is no sense in responding to anything expoused.  The vast majority of people with real knowledge already know the situation.  It is noted in the Audio Circle thread I linked earlier as well as in various other places - e.g.  Reddit (the title listed below) and various other places - to me there is no harm for someone to live in an alternative reality as long as they do their thing and don't impede those of us who actually know what reality is.  Let them enjoy.

 

"

it seems that threads about class d or gan amps always turn into the worst of a-gon

shilling, accusations, ugliness, rudeness, personal attacks

we can and should do better"

 

I couldn’t agree more. The problem is that the thread is about a particular amplifier and those who either own it, heard it otherwise in a system in which they are familiar with or have worked on it are the ones who can provide first hand knowledge of any pros and cons and not the people who have no experience or are relying on websites which expouse no valuable information (to each their own and they call that hearsay in legal terms and heresay is never good coming from a bad source) on how the amplifer sounds with particular set-ups or vs. other things. That’s why I posted my impression in the thread about the Voyager and EVS1200 and whatever pertinent information I had with other amplifiers. There’s no issue if someone has first hand experience with the particular amplifier and thought it sucked, That’s why Baskin Robbins has many flavors.

Class D amplifiers have come a long way in the last few years. I presently own 3 of them and not that long ago sold a fourth as I had no place for it (converted one integrated AV system to just UHD video with a new receiver without preamp outs and moved the 2-channel preamp I had to another secondary system). With regard to the ultra (expensive and top notch) high end, Class D I don’t personally think is there yet but I’m happy and the dual mono stock IcePower vs. $100k monoblocks in another thread performed decently given the price difference.

From many of the people who behave in a certain way (and no one is telling them what they are allowed to believe or not believe and that’s why I indicated in any earlier post about ultracrepidarian people), Why even respond to a post with such a person as it is obvious they have no knowledge about a product and only rely on irrelevant information which comes from a source which is known all over for that type of information as I noted in an earlier post (below again). There is no point in responding to posts from a person without the necessary experience to comment on it whether the subject is about audio, automobiles, appliances, etc. So just let them post and keep posting comments about the subject of the thread. The moderators have the final say (and no one else does) about what is appropriate and what is not so just take advantage of the platform to exchange valuable information and ignore the information that is of no value.

 

 

 

I'm sure he makes state-of-the-art stuff like - 

 

I don't think it is even a question that down the road  (maybe 10-20 years or possibly less) many speakers will have everything built in except for a source.  It is the likely the wave of the future.  My Vanatoo Audio Transparent One Encores I use on the desktop are like that with a 24/96 DAC,  That type of set-up with also eliminate much of the cabling between components as well.

"FWIW some of us are interested in actual listening experience, and especially when people mention how it sounds vs other amps they know."👍

 

That's what I noted a couple of pages back.  It's never a good thing when someone has little or no knowledge about something but thinks they do.  There's no sense in getting into that debate. 

 

In addition, many moons ago, I had a Proceed AVP (when the model was current in my system).  It was easy to hook multiple digital cables from my Proceed PMDT.  I had someone hook them behind the system and didn't know the inputs used and they were also swapped periodically.  I had no knowledge of what particular cables were in what input and the person swapping had no knowledge of what I was selecting via the remote control.  I was always curious of how measurement/engineering types view digital cables.  I had a couple explaining to me that there were ones and zeroes traveling down the cable (I did my best not to laugh).  Anyway, I had a few of those over and we did listening and I asked them to pick which sounded better.  They all picked the same one and then when we compared notes between myself and the person swapping cables on paricular listening session numbers, they all wanted to dissect the preamp as there had to be hardware differences.  When I pointed out that the results already eliminated that possibility, they wouldn't accept the truth as to what they heard (I guess it was a conspiracy to them).  Moral of the story, even hearing differences, they wouldn't accept them.  So why would one argue with someone who hasn't heard something or compared it to something else?  Let alone, for the most part the facts they are basing a conclusion on are from a source of little to no value related to audio (it's pretty much like the story I got above that ones and zeroes were floating across the cable).

I also noted go start a thread on why a particular amp sucks and enjoy. I actually feel bad for them as it's kind of like the story of the emperor's new clothes.

I have a mini GaN amp as well,  Originally bought it for HT in the main system as the speakers are a difficult load (Thiel 3.7s).  Broke it in using a secondary system (B&W P6s) and it is not in another spare system (basically a guest bedroom) driving GR Research N3s (fed via a Marantz 5010 receiver).  I picked it up when it was $699.  I did a review of it here - https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=178455.msg1877185#msg1877185

"I guess if a tree falls in the forest it really doesn’t make a sound. That is, only if you don't have the ears or equipment to hear it. " 

 

As I noted previously, there isn't much sense to respond to someone without the appropriate experience to comment on a matter (no matter what field, audio or otherwise) - e.g.

 

"I had no clue when starting this thread that it would turn into an ongoing gallery of insults and ridicule.  This stuff really taints this beautiful hobby that we are passionate about." 👍

That's exactly why, as noted in this thread, why I posted my impressions elsewhere.  Not interested in the back and forth dealing with those who don't have experience with the product and just follow someone who at best is in the novice category (and that's probably a stretch) when it comes to audio knowledge and experience.  Many other places are monitored and moderated in a stricter fashion (which has good and bad points) and this kind of stuff gets shut down quickly (and I linked an example earlier in the thread).  All I suggested is just post impressions and ignore the irrelevant.  That's the best that one can do.

 

I'll chime in here with a long post (and I hate long posts).  At one point starting over 20 years back for about a 6 year period I had a friend who worked in a high end audio store and during that time, I did most of the set-ups and installs with him (to get them done quicker and we could either go back to the store while it was closed and do comparisons that most would not be able to do or head out for beer and appetizers).  I heard many things which I set-up in different rooms and with different electronics, including things which I owned.  I've heard things I've owned (both electronics and speakers) that sounded better and worse (I'd say more worse since I had the benefit of the experience in positioning and setting up things).  I heard a pair of speakers that I owned once that sounded so bad in the roof I couldn't stand to be in there.  I've also heard amplifiers I've owned set-up with other things that just didn't sound as good.  So the point is to evaluate something, there are different ways of using those things as the same components measure the same (and some of the 2-channel systems 20+ years back had over $150,000 of stuff in it at retail. And by the way, there were very expensive amplifiers that on occasion had something that was not soldered correctly.  A sample of one or two of anything is not very scientific to come to the conclusion it sucks (and one of the amplifiers were sold in monoblocks at $20k retail).

I do own a one third octave RTA (Audio Control) for many years,  I also have the Audio Tools App with the Dayton Audio IMM-6 mic and REW on PCs and a Dayton Audio UMM-6 mic.  My philosphy is to mitigate the bad room issues (via treatments and placement) and not have the room look like a recording studio since I have to live in it.  In a perfect world (and with more funds and anyone is free to contribute towards my goal😀) would be to have two more rooms, one optimized for 2-channel and one for HT.

Many moons back Mark Waldrep of AIX showed up at a Capital Audiofest I attended.  I bought a Blu-Ray with hi-rez audio content and since it was quiet when I went, I got almost a 20 minute spiel on DSD measurements and the audible noise.  I politely listened and since I like his recordings all I had to say was that as a consumer I have no control as to what a record label chooses to release in SACD or DVD-A and can only buy what's available.  I didn't have the heart to tell him that the Meitner MA-1 DAC I had at the time upsamples everything to 2 times DSD (no user adjustments are possible) and pushed all the measurements he was referring to outside of the range where my dog couldn't hear it.  The point being that an amplifier or any other thing in the listening chain needs to be considered, which brings me to the point of my system and how it is used and that everyone using the LSA may not get identical results (and some of course may find high frequencies better or worse in their systems in their rooms).

I'd also like to say that I've had several others over my house who would agree that how I'm using the equipment I have sounds best in my set-up.  I use a Lumin U1 music server which reads files from my NAS in another room.  The U1 is connectoed to my EMM Labs DAC 2X (Version 2) via a USB cable (and I'm not going to go into those details as this thread already has cases of cans of worms)  and has Leedh (you can Google it - the post is long enough without it) volume processing built into it.  The DAC 2X gets output into my Modwright LS 36.5DM preamp and that goes into the LSA amp.

The DAC 2X upsamples everything (no user controls) to 8 times DSD.  When the Leedh volume processing is used, it can't do DSD volume control in the digital domain so single rate or double rate DSD files show up on the Lumin App as 352.8kHz and then the DAC upsamples that to 8 times DSD.  So that's as simple as I can make it. 

If moved the LSA amp to mysecondary back-up audio system (which I don't intend to do), I'd be listening to a Sherbourn preamp, a small fanless PC running JRiver (also for fun I have an Oppo 103D, which also can read files from the NAS hooked into a modded Carver C-9 Sonic Hologram generator via analog in and outs going into the preamp) going into a Teac UD-503 DAC. I have Selah Audio SA-2s (stand mount 2 way with a Fountek ribbon tweeter) and a Rel Strata III sub for speakers (along with the EVS 1200 amp.  The room is a smallish bedroom (I do have it treated) and with different equipment and the room, I might hear different things in the high frequencies with the EVS 1200 amp vs. the LSA amp than I hear in the main system.  Both amps would measure the same before and after I swapped them between rooms.  That does not mean I would hear identical differences in high frequencies in each room or any thing else.

One of the songs I used in my amp comparisons is 'Fistful of Swoon' by Vandaveer.  I've seen them live over a half dozen times (at my favorite music venue which closed over 4 years ago - the Iota Club and Cafe in Arlington, VA) and heard them do the song (just acoustic guitar live) at least a few times.  I've owned 5 amps (3 class Ds and 2 Class A/ABs) during the time I've had the recording.  I can tell you that the spacing between Mark Charles Heidinger and Rose Guerin on the soundstage was the most realistic on the LSA (it was uncanny).  I've also heard the cut on many other systems both people I know where I've brought it over or at an audio show (although of course I'm not as familiar with those as my own system) and I've not heard it in the same way (of course at audio shows the really expensive systems are usually in larger rooms with more people and often they don't have the time to do requests the way a smaller room would with a dozen or so seats and I'd imagine it would be better on those megabuck systems).

"However, there is a person who might chime in here who has a modded LSA and before that had my modded IceEdge amp which has no roll off using lower impedances."  😀  Chime

The thread were I did the review was noted earlier (and again it is here

However, there is a person who might chime in here who has a modded LSA and before that had my modded IceEdge amp which has no roll off using lower impedances).  For the guys who insist that measurement is everything, the first thing you should know that my hearing has been tested by an audiologist and I had an appointment with my ENT a couple of months back and I asked if he wanted me to repeat the hearing test I had the year before and he said no my hearing was wonderful.

My friend who was over also has excellent hearing.  Besides the listed playlist in the review, we listened to tons of things, some of which be indicative of deficiencies in upper frequencies (and the tonality was just better and more realistic, including the below as well as a couple that what whathifi lists as the 10 best tracks to test treble and notes "Coarse or rough treble doesn't always reveal itself straight away, and it might be a while before you realise what's missing when that upper register is overly rolled off, so it's worth taking some time to focus on precisely what's happening up there" and the 3.7 measurements are listed in a Stereophile review) Is the LSA the best sounding amp in the world - of course not - but the question should be what does the competition sell and how does it compare and I've owned a couple of Class A /A/B amps around the $9k range which were not as good to me or others who heard the actual system and of course those observations are limited to those specific amps -  and that is what the thread is supposed to be about - how the amp sounds in the real world with real speakers in a real system).  My advice to anyone is buy what you like and listen to it and don't worry about anything else.