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LSA Voyager GAN Amplifier

Just got mine last week.  After 24 hours of play all I can say is that this is not your father's class D amplifier.  There is not one thing about its sound that reminds me of the class D gremlins that I do not like.  The low end filled in and now has deep impact, the midrange is the love child of a beautiful tube and clean hybrid amp - just gorgeous.  Highs are very clean and extended. Spatial cues are top notch. My system has had some damn good tube and solid state amps in it before and it has never sounded this good.  I am blown away with the quality of sound coming from class D amplification at this price point.

This 300 wpc amplifier is a real winner.....
jaymark
yyzsantabarbara
5,123 posts
 
Like I said I was comparing it to my AHB2. Everything else I own sounds a little more grainy than the AHB2.

The difference in the Voyager mod vs stock is like the comparison I did yesterday with the CODA #8 and the CODA #16 (with respect to a grainy sound). When you hear the #16 you can tell what the #8 is adding. Even previously, I knew the #8 was adding something because I had compared it to my AHB2. The pre-modded Voyager was also not as clean sounding as the AHB2. I think the modded Voyager is now closer to the AHB2, though I have not compared.

When you get the mod done on the Voyager it becomes clearer sounding. However, take what I have wrote today with some skepticism because I have decided to sell the Voyager today to buy the amp in this photo. The amp in the far right.

Raal Ribbon Headphones - SRH1A | Page 302 | Headphone Reviews and Discussion - Head-Fi.org

I have not heard this amp yet, will do so relatively soon. However, after speaking with the amp builder today, I was convinced to go with this tube amp. I have heard his older model, which was excellent, but this new one is supposed to be much better.

The Voyager was going to be my headphone amp since it is not as good as the CODA #16
viber6
2,454 posts
 
yyz,
Thanks.  Sorry, I don't understand what you mean by "grainy." The stock Voyager was warm compared to the AHB2.  Since the modded V has more clarity than stock, is it also less warm than stock?  When you have the time to A/B the modded V with the AHB2, see if you can note whether the warmth of the V is lessening, to approach the neutrality of the AHB2.

The modded V should be an interesting shootout with my Rouge.  
yyzsantabarbara
5,123 posts
 
Maybe my audiophile terms are not correct. When I say grainy, you can consider the analogy of a window. With the CODA #8 and pre-modded Voyager I felt that the window was a little dirty, the view had some obstruction.

With the AHB2 I think the window is crystal clean. I think the CODA #16 is also like that but I need more time with it at home to be certain it is at that level. The modded Voyager was  more cleaner window than the pre-modded Voyager and CODA #8. It is not as good as the CODA #16 in a few ways, bass, clarity, and the size of the soundstage. The modded Voyager is comparable to the 2x more expensive CODA #8. Each as some positives over the other.

The CODA #16 overall seems to be the best amp I would own (if I get the money). I can see that as my last amp, though the price is back breaking.

Since the modded V has more clarity than stock, is it also less warm than stock?
No, do not think so.
viber6
2,454 posts
 
Thanks for your clarification.  I do like your window analogy.  I'll go further and ask how thick are the dirty films for the 3 best amps--AHB2, Coda #16, modded Voyager?  0-1 microns, 2-3, 5 respectively?  More listening will tell.  Is the Coda #16 warmer than AHB2?

I can see ricevs rolling his eyes and saying I am too analytical and I need to love more, LOL.
yyzsantabarbara
5,123 posts
 
Today, I am no longer relevant on this discussion. I sold the modded Voyager to a person in the East Coast and shipped it off. So he can chime in with new ears once he gets it next week.

I loved the modded Voyager but I want to get that RAAL - Requisite headphone amp for my SR1a headphones (maybe also buy the new SR2a headphones for bed). So getting the CODA #16 + RAAL amp = no place for the Voyager. The CODA #16 is also better than the modded Voyager.

I am now listening to the LA4 + CODA #8 + Thiel CS3.7 . It is s great combo. Similar to the modded Voyager + my damaged CODA 07x preamp. Every combination of Benchmark preamps and AHB2 amp with CODA 07x preamp and #8 amp have been excellent. Just perfect pairings.

Why talk microns when we can go down to the atomic level instead? I will get back to you on that.

The CODA #16 is definitely warmer than the AHB2 but it seemed to have the similar levels of clarity. The #16 is also very powerful and can likely drive any speaker out there. I will use the AHB2 + CODA 07x + Convolution filter with my RAAL SR1a until I get the funds for the new RAAL headphone amp. Notice that I am going to use the Convolution filter here and did not need it with the Voyager + RAAL SR1a. The Voyager was a bit warmer than the AHB2.
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