LSA Voyager GAN Amplifier

I'm not familiar with the Texas Instruments "Purepath" class D module, but it evidently isn't a GaNfet design, which seem to be producing the best sound these days.

I have a Fosi Class D amp that uses a TI chip.  It sounds very good.   A bargain. 

Hi, been lurking for a while, and enjoying the posts....

The LSA Warp One uses the TPA3255 chip, with proper power supply can do 300wpc. But it also doesn’t measure quite as well as some of the other tech (especially Purifi and GaN).  

I have enjoyed playing around with a lot of inexpensive amps using various chips. I have also owned Ric’s EVS1200 (and 4 other of his products), a few amps (DIY and one from VTV) using Purifi modules, as well as the Orchard Audio GaN mono’s and Stereo Ultra.

I WILL say that a cheap ($60 w/o brick PS) 3255-based ChiFi amp I got sounds quite nice for that cheap $; this and several others are indeed bargains, but would certainly be bettered by better implementations of likely better chips. None of the amps I have tried get to the level of the EVS1200, Purifi, or GaN amps I have or had. But they get a decent % for TINY money!

If what LSA does is greatly improve the pieces around the 3255 chip, then the Warp One may still be worth it. But I think it may be a bit too pricey, and my belief is that the Voyager will be better enough to warrant saving up for it. Or....look at some other slightly less expensive GaN options that Ric had mentioned previously (I am definitely a fan of Orchard products).   [EDIT: looked at some of the design notes and specs on LSA page, and it IS impressive.  I still believe that the GaN will sound even better though]

To me: a well-modded Purifi-based amp, or well-implemented GaN-based amp, are the best I’ve heard. Makes me miss tubes and Class A not one bit.

Forget the money--these are all decent amps for sensible money.  Decide what kind of sound you want.  I await tweak1's evaluation of the Voyager vs his EVS1200.  My Rouge IceEdge 1200 AS1 amp at 260 hours is neutral, which is similar to the EVS1200 without the mods.  I'll find out soon when I do the mods.  The Voyager GaN is more tubelike, according to the people here.  My experience with the Merrill Element 114 GaN is that it was tubelike.

My CODA #8 and KRELL K-300i sound a bit more tube like to me than the Voyager. The Voyager so far sounds like it is in-between those 2 amps and the Benchmark AHB2. Detailed but not as smooth or soft. (not harsh either)

I will have 200 hours by Friday on the Voyager. Last night I did some headphone listening when I was tired and working my job. The music from the Voyager got my energy up big time and sounded great (sans Convolution filter). I do not know what it is but the Voyager energizes me way more than any other amp I have had. Maybe just imagining this energy but I do notice my toes tapping away more with the Voyager.