LSA Voyager GAN Amplifier

Up until now, I did not care much for the sonic profile of class D.  I gave it a grudging try when talking with Walter Liederman and honestly thought that I would be returning the amplifier for some Audio GD monoblocks.  I have two high power PassLab amps, a pair of JC1 Parasound monoblocks, Ampzilla monoblocks and a Parasound A21+.  I know what excellent class A, AB, hybrid and tube amps sound like to my ears/brain.  All excellent amps in their own right.  I am just fine with the LSA Voyager in my reference system and don't really miss the big boy amps.  The GAN iteration of class D is not your father's class D.   I would listen and let your ears and brain be the judge.  I am a convert for damn sure.  An unlikely and skeptical one at that.  

@arafiq

Jaymark alludes to your points in his comments as a well seasoned amplifier purchaser


I've owned many class AB, one class A (Kinergetics KBA 75), a goodly number of tube amps and preamps. A and AB amps have one thing in common-they are inefficient, class A much more so;  with class A and tubes in the 200wpc+ adding room warming heat that in many parts of the country/world require room cooling. Imagine the heat and electricity at 350/600+, oh and the cost to replace tubes.

Ric calls high price A & AB amps boat anchors. Well, for sure the used market will dry up, and likely a good portion of the new big money amp sales, should buyers listen to the new crop of GaNs side by side. And it's those guys who can afford to buy to try. Can't wait for those comments. So, Ric how long before discrete inputs become the next version of say the Voyager... are you fast at work?

The first input buffer is easy to change......but the ones following it might require a schematic, etc. to implement correctly.  Then you want better parts, layout, power supplies, output filter parts, etc.  So, a serious (state of the art) class D amp should be designed from the ground up.  I will see how much can be done to these modules as soon as some one sends me an amp.  The modded amp will sound way better than stock.....but to think it will be state of the art (beating every amp on the planet)....is silly.  It will keep getting better and better......but already....we have some really good sound for not that much money.

@jaymark Thanks for the explanation. It was certainly not my intention to question your credibility or judgment. If it came out that way, please accept my apology. My point was that often times the 'new toy' exuberance' or the so-called honeymoon phase gets the better of us. I know I'm certainly guilty of that. However, this might not be the case this time around. If and when LSA releases an integrated version, I might just take a bite to see what the fuss is about. I talked to Walter and he thinks an integrated amp based on GaN should be released towards the end of the year. I'm willing to dip my toes in the water ... once again.

Ricevs, what is your website address?