05-05-15: Rob_j
So I thought I'd post a bit of feedback now that the LSA has had a couple of weeks of play to settle up.
My regular attenuator is a Townshend Allegri passive which retails for very many times what the LSA costs. Retail price is not a reliable indicator of performance as we know: just setting the scene.
I have to say that the LSA is simply astonishing. It is fluid, extended at the frequency extremes and has a lightning fast attack at the leading edge of notes, then a detailed and realistic decay. Instruments exist in their own space and are distinct from others. There's a quiet confidence to the sound, with a dark background seemingly devoid of interference/noise. No grain, silken and natural.
That's the thing: this really plays music rather than sounding like "good hifi". Music sounds real and involving.
The LSA seems equally happy with Hans Zimmers massive layering and soundstage as it is with Marcus Millers dynamic bass guitar, Army of Mushrooms's bonkers electronica or Jan Garbareks soprano sax. It all works.
In short: Well done George! Overall, the LSA bests the Townshend in my system.
Robert
First off Robert, I would like to thank you for your praise and great review of the Lightspeed Attenuator.
You are right in that it has extended range as it is dc coupled to almost infinity in speed, hence the name Lightspeed.
As for the dark background you mention, it has a far lower noise than any active preamp can be. This is why you get a perfect black background, which aids in greater dynamic range and space around the notes. There will be times you'll think your system is not switch on when your in-between tracks, or when the lead in of tracks have no music content yet.
As for your "No grain, silken and natural" comment, there are no "active preamp" component distortions/colourations, what goes in comes out uncoloured and true to the source.
Thanks again for your praise Cheers George