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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
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.
arafiq's avatar
arafiq OP
1,699 posts
 
Sorry for not being clear on the source component. Currently, that setup is not optimal - apple lossless files in iTunes --> Apple TV --> Onkyo. I understand that this setup is lacking in many ways, but I love the convenience of creating playlists on the fly and listening them on the main system.
Oppo, as suggested by Brownsfan looks promising but not sure if it can do wifi like the AppleTV. Or one possibility is: Apple TV (wifi) --> Oppo --> Onkyo --> integrated amp. What other options are there to support streaming lossless music?
brownsfan
1,508 posts
 
Arafiq, the Oppo has built in wireless and ethernet connectivity. Also, the Oppo 105 has pretty nice digital in capability (asynchronous USB an coaxial S/PDIF) and a very good DAC by all accounts. You should have no problem running your lossless files. However, if you intend to stick primarily with digital in from a computer rather than CDs, that may not be the best use of your money. Maybe a stand alone DAC would be worth a thought.

I think Everest shares my concern about the Onyko and using it preamp out into a better power amp. You will get some improvement, but the preamp section is still likely to be a limitation. The used integrated with HT bypass is worth thinking about.
arafiq's avatar
arafiq OP
1,699 posts
 
Brownsfan and Everest, thanks for all the advice.

From the beginning I had an inkling that eventually I'd have to update the pre-pro and amplifier. I thought that adding an external amp will give the best bang for the buck so that's where I should be starting.

However, based on the feedback, it looks that addressing the source and preamp issues should supersede the external amp upgrade path. Oh well, you live and learn :)

I'm sure you've already guessed my next decision point: do I first get the integrated amp or standalone DAC? Or are there any solutions that combine the two in a single unit? Any suggestions are welcome.

brownfan, btw the signatures don't have a ribbon tweeter, that would be the Statements - I wish they did though :)
brownsfan
1,508 posts
 
Arrafiq, Your situation is a tough one, which is why I think you didn't get any responses initially.

I would make a couple of comments here about how I generally approach situations like yours. We have all started someplace, and dealt with budgetary limitations. You got a taste of what good equipment can do for you with your LSAs, and I would add that I think you made a wise purchase there. Those are speakers that you are going to be able to hold on to for a while, and as you put better equipment in the chain, they will continue to deliver for you. That is the correct model going forward. Sometimes, that means you delay purchase until you have enough available to get that next component that will push you to the next level. That can be frustrating, but it will avoid a lot of wasted money spent on making marginal improvements. Thinking about your situation, something like a ModWright integrated with built in DAC would be perfect, but it is way out of your price range, even used. I took a look for a used integrated for sale that would work for you and didn't see anything for sale right now.
The modwright stuff is superb in my opinion. Every once in a while one of the Modwright integrateds come up used, but I haven't seen any used ones with the built in DAC hit the market yet. This would be an option that would without question be worth waiting a while to procure.

I take it you are using the apple TV as your video source, so that you currently have no playback capability for DVDs or CDs, and it is your desire to continue with that set up going forward. Sorry if I am being dense, but I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around that. :)
Thinking about this more thoroughly, if I have all this right, I still thing the oppo 105 may be your best move if you are locked into $1200 at this time. You can still use your apple tv for video if you want, but you can use the much better DAC in the oppo to real advantage with music, it has wifi capability, and it also brings physical media capability into your system.
A DAC with USB capability may still make sense, but you have to provide for connection to your digital files, which may or may not be practical. It seems to me that the Oppo circumvents all of that and you get a good dac along with all the rest it gives you.
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