2. amps-preamps
  3. 192575-187041

Seeking New Amplification for My Graham LS5/5 Speakers

Hello everyone. Looking for a little advice. I have a great pair of Graham ls5/5 speakers that are being driven by an LTA z40+ amp. I also have a pair of Spatial Audio M3 Sapphires that have been living in my basement. Having some free time during the holiday week, I brought the M3’s upstairs and hooked them up to the LTA and they sounded fantastic. Much better than the ls5’s, despite ls5s costing 5x as much. I think the LTA just doesn’t have enough power to really make the ls5s sing. Looking for some suggestions to drive them. I’m good with separates or an intergrated amp and buying either new or used. Think I need at least 100wpc. Also willing to trade the LTA. I primarily listen to digital sources (running a Grimm MU1 through and upgraded Mojo Audio Mystique SE-X). Budget is $10k, give or take. Thanks in advance for your help.
mezzguy2
stanleylocke
242 posts
 

https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650105803-parasound-halo-hint-6-black/

soix
9,633 posts
 

Lots of different pre/amp flavors out there.  What sound characteristics are most important to you, and what other improvements might you be looking for over the LTA besides power?

ken6217
36 posts
 

I have never heard the Spatial Audio speakers, but man do I love my LS5/5. I am using a Mark Levinson 585 with them.

jackd
1,071 posts
 

Clayton showed the Spatial's with LTA amplification so the better match makes perfect sense but as blisshifi pointed out the Graham is an entirely different speaker with a different voicing and different current demands.  First decide which speaker you prefer and find the amp that fits it the best. You are not likely to find an amp that is perfect for both though there are several SS integrated amps that might be close.

gryphongryph
384 posts
 

@mezzguy2 I don’t have a recommendation as such, but I guess any British amplifier with a bit of grunt should be a suitable option.

I have the Graham Audio ls5/9 myself but am driving them with a Belles class A power amp, it sounds very nice, but the Belles only measures to fifty watts or there about, so better suitable for a smaller room.

The BBC designs are renowned for the tone and timbre and the true sound of un amplified instruments, am a bit surprised that you find the 5/5 being so bad sounding in relation to the Sapphire, it can off course be the room not suiting the 5/5 or maybe you are leaning more to the Sapphire sound signature? No shame in that, we all hear differently and enjoy different sonic, so maybe for you the Sapphire simply are the better speakers.

@ken6217 Interesting that the 585 is a good match, a beautiful amp that is indeed.

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