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Amplifier recommendations for LSA-1 Signature

I used to be a purely HT guy - had definitive technology 7006 speakers and Onkyo mid-level receiver driving a 5.1 setup. One thing I did not like about DefTechs was how the music sounded, I just couldn't stand to listen for more than 15 minutes. Then I read about listener fatigue and the so-called 'musical' speakers, and started looking for a new set of speakers that were more musical than the deftechs. This led me to LSA-1 Signatures. Now, I don't consider myself an audiophile even by a long shot but I can tell you that these speakers are something special. I can listen to jazz, classical and semi-jazz like norah jones or melody gardot for hours at a stretch and never get tired of listening. For some reason the same speakers sound pretty mediocre when listening to rock or even soft rock.
However, I listened to another setup at a friend's house (he was using B&Ws paired with B&K) and the same music was suddenly even better than in my setup. I won't pretend to claim that I understand what people mean when they use terms like imaging or dynamic or transparent, but it sure sounded wonderful!
Now, I cannot afford B&Ws - at least the nice ones. I auditioned the ones they sell at Best Buy Magnolia but just didn't like them much. So I'm thinking I can probably stay with LSA's and use a separate amplifier in conjunction with my Onkyo (110 wpc).
So my first question: Is it even worth adding a new amplifier? I am not necessarily after more power as I listen at low to moderate volumes, but that magical sound that I heard at my friend's house - clean, tight base and even better separation than what I can get with my current setup - but at the same volume.
Secondly, I cannot afford to buy expensive gear at this time. So I'm looking for used equipment around $1200. I generally like the laid back, smooth sound of the LSAs but sometimes I do wish that they had a bit more sizzle and oomph but not too much like the Paradigms (sorry don't mean to start a flame here but that's how I felt when I listened to the Paradigm bookshelf - Studio 20).
Any recommendations?

Current setup:
Onkyo HT-RC180 (110 wpc)
LSA-1 Signature (Front LR)
Definitive Technology (Center; soon to be replaced by LSA center)
Definitive Technology SuperCube 1 (sub)
Definitive Technology (surrounds)

Short term goal:
Add a new amplifier to improve 'musicality' - even if its at the expense of HT sound

Long term goals:
Replace Onkyo with a better PrePro
Replace sub with REL
128x128arafiq
arafiq's avatar
arafiq OP
1,699 posts
 
Looks like not too many people own LSAs :(
brownsfan
1,508 posts
 
By all accounts, the LSA-1 sigs are pretty nice monitors. I have not
heard the speakers personally, but there have been enough threads
regarding this speaker that I don't think the lack of response to your
question means no one owns them. I think its because of the other
equipment, and where you are trying to go in a combined HT/2Channel
system for $1200. Also, you say nothing about what your source
component player is. Are you using a universal player?

The Onkyo is probably suspect with respect to the power amp and the
preamp section. If you weren't using this for HT, I might suggest you
go looking for a nice 2 channel integrated amp. You will probably
improve things somewhat by using the preamp out to a better power
amp, for instance a McCormack DNA 125, which you should be able to
pick up in that price range or less.
However, not knowing anything about your source, you might want to
pick up an Oppo 105 universal player. That might give you the biggest
improvement unless you already have a very good player. Then, you
will have 2 quality components, your source and your speakers, and
perhaps later down the road you can free up some more money to
address a better HT processor/power amp.
Your speakers go down to about 45Hz, which is pretty good for
monitors. I don't know anything about the dynamics of your speakers.
With a ribbon tweeter, you should be getting enough
"sizzle." Anything more is going to get you back into the
listener fatigue thing.
everest_audio
285 posts
 
Brownsfan is making good suggestions. Unfortunately, in my opinion, a home theatre receiver won't bring out the best in these speakers like a very good quality 2-channel setup will give you. Your Onyko receiver will have enough power to bring these speakers to life, but in most cases, the home theatre receivers fall short with very poor preamp sections. So, connecting a good aftermarket power amp to the receiver will give you gains, but not as much as you would maybe expect because of the poor preamp section of the receiver.

If music quality is very important to you and you still want home theatre as well, get yourself a good quality 2-channel integrated amp that has home theatre bypass. Then, when listening to music, you're just using the higher quality 2-channel piece and when watching movies, the integrated amp becomes your power amp for your front two channels.

As suggested by Brownsfan, the quality of your source is critical as well.
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