LSA 1 Monitors in a small room??

There was a strong rumor (long ago) that the LSA 2 was a repackaged version of the VS model 2, or visa versa, I forget which. They had a superficial resemblance as I recall but sounded very different. I always wondered how that rumor got started. I think - but not sure - that one person on a bulletin board once asked if they were similar because they looked similar, and that lead to a long discussion, and then, off we go....
Art

I would certainly be interested in hearing Larry Staples' advice on this one:

Does anyone have recommendations for amps that match well with the LSA1 monitors?

As for myself, I have owned a pair of LSA1 Standard monitors for a couple of years and have recently upgraded to the Statement version. My listening room is 11' x 19' x 8' (W x D x H) and they sound "good" with their current placement. I think I could improve imaging by adding some diffusion to the first reflection points on the side walls. They now sit 30" from the front wall, 30" from the side walls, and 72" apart (measured to tweeter).

The dealer's listening room, where I auditioned the LSA1 Standard monitors, was only slightly larger than my own. Maybe a foot or two in every direction. He had a much better acoustic environment, though. Anyway, I listened to them connected to a pair of McIntosh 500 watt monoblocks and they sounded frickin' great. I also listened to them connected to some Bryston amp and some Meridian integrated amp. Both sounded somewhat different from, and not quite as good as the McIntosh. I can't recall the characteristics of either so that probably wasn't much help. A McIntosh preamp was used and the source was a Rega Apollo. Through the McIntosh amps I would describe the sound the following way: Plenty of detail, very well defined soundstage boundary, accurate but larger-than-life, fairly good imaging, a little warm.

In my own room I have used a decent Marantz integrated amplifier (SR8001) and a pair of Monarchy SM-70 pro amplifiers. The Marantz seems to mate very well with these speakers, as far as being able to deliver a well-rounded representaion of the music. I slightly prefer the Marantz over the Monarchy even though the Monarchy amps seem to do some aspects better, such as detail, tonal accuracy, and timing. The Marantz just seems to be able to deliver the big picture in a more appealing way. The Marantz is definitely less fatiguing... maybe that's what I like more about it.

I'll probably try the Wyred4Sound monoblocks next, unless Larry makes a more appealing suggestion.

Even though my VR-1s sounded completely different than the LSA 1s (nods toward Larry and smiles) the best amps I used with them were the Monarchy SM-70 Pro monoblocks. Smooth as silk, just a tad on the warm side, and plenty of power; I imagine they'd be a great complement to the LSA 1s, and it looks like Orangepotato has come to the same conclusion. Certainly worth a listen for the low price of entry.

David

At the RMAF, LSA had their 1 Statement speakers with their Standard integrated amp run by the Exemplar/Oppo BDP-83 blu-ray player. It was extraordinary but the room was about twice the size of my small NM listening room. It was a $10k system.

My wife and I went to the LSA room at the RMAF several times last weekend and I had to drag my wife away down the hall kicking as she wanted to buy them on the spot (it's usually the other way around concerning stereo gear). They are truly excellent speakers.