2. amps-preamps
  3. 168820-2546

Stock Voyager GaN amp (350/600) Contrasted with my EVS1200 (600/1200)

The Voyager (V) I received is well broken in, and as the title says, it is stock. An upgraded version will come later.


I let the V warm up for ~ 24 hours while I listened to my beloved EVS 1200 (~$2300) playing a wide variety of Redbook CDs; The Judds, Chris Issak Heart Shaped World, Leonard Cohen remastered collection, Willie Nelson Across the Borderline, the Eagles Hell Freezes Over, and Jennifer Nettles Playing with Fire (love the music, but the mastering has a few ear bleed cuts- or does it???). I capped the session off with Roger Waters Amused to Death SACD, a huge, occasionally very dynamic, and intentionally phasey recording. While I enjoyed the hell out this listening session, but afixed in my mind was reading others reporting on their not fully broken in V amps frequently mentioning detail/clarity, the music via the EVS 1200 wasn't as focused as I felt it should, but have accepted for 2 years, as it easily outperformed my PS Audio M700s (MSRP $4000), FYI, their M1200s are based on the same IceEdge AS1200 modules as my EVS 1200, but untouched. They simply added their own tube input stage (MSRP $7000), and Audio Alchemys DPA-1 ($2000), wish I could have tried the monos ($4000), but...


Could  the lack of focus be elsewhere, like the Wire World Electra 7 Power Conditioning cord ($240), connected to my Audio Alchemy DDP-1 + PS 5, which is IMO, my weakest PC, all the others are $700+, or my $150 Pangea XL coax cable? How would the V stack up?  Im thinking it can't be THAT much better, and what about the huge power disparity in my ~ 26 x 38 X 12 lively room with lots of glass and open beam ceilings, which adds up to brightness?


I connected the V, but didn't want to start with any of the same discs, just in case the V needed to see some signal before being ready for the comparison, so I chose Getz/Gilberto Jobim and Astrud Gilberto SACD as a nice way to ease into the Voyager. I haven't listened to this disc in months, so no recent memory to taint hearing it now. Did I say 'ease'. Silly me.


I'll cut to the chase hear/here, from the first note, it was obvious that this is a special amp, but at $3500 MSRP? OMG: What a steal!!! The focus reminds me of how much sharper and with greater depth of field pictures taken with Leica camera lens are, compared to all other cameras and lenses. GaNs magic is the equivalent of Tesla EV motor speed- immediate: The V grabbed me from the first note.


More  to come after I go through the Redbook CDs that I started with, but I already know it's a moot point. And wilder, still, LSA has already made a few tweaks, like the internal wiring for an additional $175.


Ric Schultz was right when he said expensive amps will be boat anchors
tweak1
cascadesphil
232 posts
 
I'd also like to point out that when I give an opinion, whether one sitting in my room would agree or not (and I would put Tweak1 in the same light), it is my opinion without any financial incentives received from anyone in audio industry.  It is common practice in the audio industry to offer accomodation sales (some manufacturers may not do it on certain products, usually more reasonably priced ones, if there is not much of a profit margin and often these sales are at less than dealer cost).  These accomodation sales are typically made to people in the industry, including, but not limited to, sales people working in a store for an audio dealer, audio dealers for their personal use, reviewers, audio manufacturers, people holding themselves out as providing audio consulting services, etc.

So when comments are made by some, readers really should take this into account.  It's not that any of them are horrible people.  It's a business (e.g. https://www.wboc.com/story/44389434/global-consumer-electronics-market-analysis-till-2027-sales-reve...  ) with big dollars at stake.  Someone may praise a $100k amplifier but if is something they got as an accomodation sale for $50k, with an agreement to not re-sell it within a year (and it is not uncommon for someone to sell such things and make some extra money either), there's a difference between that an a genuine hobbyist who's just crazy.  Some sites will be a bit more forthcoming and disclose that there are financial interests (e.g. https://6moons.com/audioreview/)  and others may be silent on the issue.  Not criticizing the way things work or anyone, but just stating reality.  I think too often people forget about this.  As noted within this thread, that's why I posted here vs. some of the others to strictly report my observations between the two amps as well as my personal experience with my own system vs. debate those who have industry connections and either expouse with very limited or perhaps no experience that all class D amps suck or other things which their persoanl interests do not allow them to be impartial.  I've noted I've own some more expensive amps that I didn't care for as much and have had friends in the room that came to the same conclusion.  I've got nothing against the brands I didn't care for as they are good companies.
tweak1 OP
3,668 posts
 

Adding this link to a review of the Audio Alchemy DDP-1 + PS 5. These have been in my system for several years, and I find them hard to replace without spending a lot more, though I would love to hear R2R but it would need a similar HQ analog volume control. The reason I am posting this is a guy is selling this pair for $1695 on another site. Here's the link to one of the reviews. If you are interested, just do a search

 

 

tweak1 OP
3,668 posts
 

One of my previous class Ds was Emerald Physics 100.2 SE monos with custom fuses, which were better than the then W4S class Ds, but outdone by the PSAudio M700s and further outdone by my EVS 1200: none holding a candle to the Voyager, but if your budget is under $1500, well...

 

It was incredibly enjoyable to read the Stereo Times review of the LSA Warp 1, mentioning that it bettered the old EP 100.2SEs which were ~ twice the price

 

http://v2.stereotimes.com/post/lsa-warp-1-power-stereo-amplifier-by-greg-voth/?fbclid=IwAR1tAt4KSWwk48EUjO8QCTCI7rvtMM2DmySTK5JYU_6NbBTIS3MBZNZAEL4

 

tweak1 OP
3,668 posts
 

A week ago I sold my~ 10 yo SVS powered subs. While they added weight, they weren't high quality 2 channel subs. I didn't realize how much they set my sound back until they were gone, and I moved he speakers back ~ 2ft, now ~50" from the front wall.

Tonite, I finally got around to taking my Emerald Physics 3.4s off the Harbor Freight dollys which they've been on since I got them over a year ago. Each base is resting on 4 full spring Nobsounds. Quite an improvement

tweak1 OP
3,668 posts
 

About a week ago I decided to reinsert my Marantz HD-CD 1, purchased to use as a transport and possible backup player, when/if the Oppo dies. It was fuller sounding, with more bass, but sadly developed scratching issues in the magnetic clamp. The entire mechanism needs replacing @ $150+ shipping, and I didn't want to spend that much to repair (it's available for anyone who provides a pickup slip). Anyway, I scored a great deal on a Audiolab 6000 CDT, which I won't have until late next week, but based on the reviews and owner comments, it should be a huge upgrade

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