Magnapan LRS placement

The Ayre VX-5 Twenty is rated at 350 watts into 4 ohms with zero negative feedback.  The rated sensitivity of the LRS is 86 dB, 85 for the Reference 1.  Sources are Roon from a Nucleus and Ayre QX-5 Twenty and Blue-rays from an Ayre DX-5 DSD disc player, both through an Ayre KX-5 Twenty preamp.  I prefer a moderate listening level.  If I really like the sound I'll consider a pair of LRS+ with stands. 

@dbphd 

Not a good idea. they should be 3-4 feet from a wall in a symmetrical situation. The wall directly behind should be deadened with acoustic foam tile. The Ayre will drive them beautifully. That amp should be driving 3.7i or 20.7s Any dipole speaker benefits greatly from the use of subwoofers using a digital 2 way crossover crossing at 100 Hz 48 dB/oct L-R. You will get as much as another 10 dB headroom and much lower distortion levels.

mijostyn, I think I’ll start with the setup I propose: the LRSs 4’ from the wall behind them with the KEF Reference 1s interposed between them and the wall. The KEFs with their stands are a heavy lift for an 87 year old guy, but I might get the gardener to move them aside. The speakers flank an 85" Sony. The room's 13 X 19 x 8 with framed posters, bookcases, a pair of stressless chairs, and a desk and computer at the end opposite the speakers. If I use acoustic tile it will be on removable boards.

Given how satisfied I am with the sound using the Reference 1s I don’t want to disrupt the room too much just to try the LRSs.

When I say this thing gobbles up power I refer to the 4 amps I tried on it. These 4 all sounded really good, but it was the CODA and Magtech that made me realize there is more in the speaker. I think the LRS+ will give your Reference 1 a good run. I love the Ref 1.

- Peachtree GAN1 (200 watts @ 8 and 4)

- Peachtree GAN400 (400 watts @ 8 and 4)

- Coda #16 (150 | 300 | 600 watts @ 8 | 4 2)

- Magtech ( 500 | 900 watts @ 8 | 4 )

The CODA has a lot of current and the lowest watts. You can hear that current with the bass. The Magtech is even better. I will have to adjust the speaker placement since the bass can be very strong.

That is why I am predicting the JC1 will be your best amp on the LRS+

My understanding is the Ayre amps are aimed at sounding a bit tube like without the PITA of tubes. I really like their sound, but I also like the sound of the JC-1s. I’ll start with the Ayre then may switch to the JC-1s. I play music at moderate levels and stuff below 80 Hz goes to the subs, so that mitigates power requirement a bit.

The room is 14 X 19, not 13 X 19.