GaN amps: Peachtree or LSA Voyager?

@markmuse The LA4 + AHB2 is an awesome combo but I think an acquired taste. A warmer preamp (like my CODA 07x) and the AHB2 is likely a great choice for most.

If you decide to sell a BLACK AHB2 in the future let me know, I need to eventually go back to mono blocks.

@markmuse I had the Voyager 350 and also had it modded by EVS. After the mods I thought the Voyager was similar to my Benchmark AHB2 but with more power. It was super clean and quiet, though It lacked the bass power of my CODA #8. However, it sounded better on top than my CODA #8. I sold my Voyager and kept the CODA #8 because I felt the CODA had more meat on the bones. I sold the CODA #8 yesterday mainly to raise some cash.

After my experience with various amps I realized my long term amps were going to be Class A and the AHB2. The plan was to upgrade the CODA #8 to the #16 though I realized I could get more bang from my buck from the new KRELL XD lineup. Such as this one.

@markmuse I did not want to sell the CODA #8 which I was using as a headphone amp for my RAAL SR1a. However, today I put in an order for the RAAL VM-1a. That is a $7K after tax amp and I needed to sell the CODA #8 to raise the funds. The VM-1a is the very best amp for the SR1a. It is of course purposefully built ONLY for the SR1a. I consider the SR1a the equal to my 2-channel system. Its that good, especially for my late night listening.

That used KRELL 300XD is a screaming deal given that the new one is $12K after the recent price increase. The XD lineup is big and ugly but it sounds so fine. Tonight I am going to put my Benchmark LA4 preamp in place of the CODA 07x preamp with the KRELL XD175. This is for my speakers. Now that I am getting the RAAL VM-1a amp I do not need the dual XLR outputs of the CODA 07x for a 2-channel amp for headphones (the CODA #8). I also like the pairing of the CODA 07x with my Benchmark AHB2 amp which I have connected to KEF LS50’s in my Livingroom..

I sold the Voyager (after the EVS mods) because it sounded a lot like the AHB2. The Voyager was more powerful but still not powerful enough for my Thiel CS3.7’s. The Voyager also did not sound good on my RAAL SR1a headphones (very surprising). The AHB2 did sound good with my SR1a headphones and even though it is underpowered for my Thiel CS3.7, on certain music I love the AHB2 the most on the Thiel CS3.7. So the modified Voyager had a similar sound to my AHB2 and I did not need the duplication of that sound.

The AHB2 will also be in the house long term. It is my favorite amp.

BTW - the KRELL XD and Benchmark AHB2 are on 2 opposite ends of the sound spectrum. I think both are great.

@markmuse I though I would add one more post since you once owned the Benchmark LA4 preamp. I am now listening to the LA4 connected to my KRELL 175XD and into my RAAL SR1a headphones. These phones are brutal if the signal is bad. Well what I am hearing is not brutal but incredible. Just so much more bite to the music and more details over the CODA 07x preamp. I was using the CODA 07x preamp as a tone control in the past,, mainly to eliminate fatigue. With the LA4 I am not getting fatigue either, just better sound. Wow, what a great amp and preamp combo.

This combo will also be great with my speakers, I will listen to that in the morning.

Anyone looking for a CODA 07x preamp?

I was a little harsh on the CODA 07x preamp last night. I had been using it in my office because I needed the dual XLR outputs for my 2 amps, a CODA #8 and the KRELL 175XD. I always felt the Benchmark LA4 was better suited for my tastes with those 2 amps, but it only had 1 set of XLR outputs. So, the CODA 07x was used in the office and it was excellent with the RAAL and almost as good with my speakers. Now that the RAAL VM-1a tube headphone amp is coming to my house I can use the LA4 as I did last night.

The CODA 07x preamp is now setup in my living room with a Sansui tuner and Benchmark AHB2 amp. I took out the Benchmark DAC3B from the Livingroom since I want it with the new RAAL VM-1a in the office. Even with the tuner as a test I was able to hear some fantastic synergy with the AHB2 and the CODA 07x. I think I still prefer the LA4 and AHB2 combo but the 07x is killing it with the AHB2. The 07x also has better sounding bass output to my sub than the LA4. My Livingroom speakers are KEF LS50’s and KEF KC62 sub. This could be due to the dual XLR outputs vs the RCA output to the sub from the LA4. The CODA 07x is staying.

Now for the LA4 + KRELL Duo 175XD combo to my Thiel CS3.7 speakers. My KRELL 175 is not ideally suited for these speakers because they are hard to drive and go into 2 Ohms a lot. The KRELL Duo 300XD I linked to above is actually a better choice for my speakers. I spoke to KRELL on this. However, I had a better deal to buy the KRELL 175XD with a trade-in of a Parasound A21+ amp. My office is also not big so I thought I would be OK, and I am.

Last night I played a lot of tunes, but I was mainly interested in hearing Led Zeppelin IV and Moving Pictures by RUSH, to see if that missing bite or excitement in the music shows up with the Benchmark LA4. On my RAAL SR1a, it was incredible (almost as good as the VM-1a that is coming). On the Theil CS3.7’s this morning that extra bite I wanted is there. You can really hear it in the percussion from Bonhem and Peart. I am also not getting any fatigue from this combo.

The KRELL does soften the sound a tad and the clarity of the LA4 is a perfect match. The CODA #8 I sold, is a bit stronger on top and was not a as good on the RAAL + LA4 (fatiguing). The CODA #16 that I demoed is very much like the KRELL XD (maybe better), but I never has it in my home system.

I like my rock music on the LA4 + KRELL combo. This is the best I have heard the Thiel CS3.7’s in my room. For more acoustic type of music, say Michael Kiwanuka, that CODA 07x and KRELL was goosebumps. The CODA 07x + CODA #8 was also killer with Kiwanuka.

I am now playing Kiwanuka on the LA4 and KRELL. Yikes, goosebumps and a bit more clarity to the sound. I love the somg THIS KIND OF LOVE from Kiwanuka. I demoed that song at a dealer with the CODA #16 and CODA 07x preamp and it was just like what I am hearing with the LA4 and KRELL 175XD. Maybe a tad more sharpness with my combo. It is this CLASS A on the #16 and 175XD that really stands out.

The 175XD and 300XD are supposed to output ALL their power in Class A. Some competitors say this is not really Class A since it does not burn electricity and have a massive chassis.

If someone prefers tubes then the CODA 07x and KRELL XD maybe preferred. Though for me the LA4 works better.

I am interested in @ricevs new mod. His Voyager mod was great, substantial to my ears over stock. 

@markmuse I was the first person to have Ric mod my Voyager. It was a noticeable improvement. My preamp did not have an ON/OFF switch nor does the modded Voyager (stock does). So I had some issues when changing cables.

Congrats on the Voyager.

@markmuse Funny you should ask. My CODA 07x preamp was great with the Voyager. Read up on the CODA 07x. It is a slightly warm and tube fans love it. I am an SS fan but I really like it too.

I am debating selling my complete Livingroom system (which includes the CODA 07x) to buy the active KEF LS60 speaker. I would not need any other gear with this. If I keep that system I would need to get more gear to finish it off, KEF Blade2 or REF 1 speaker, DAC, additional Benchmark AHB2 amp.

I also tried the $799 Topping pre90 preamp with the Voyager and it had volume issues. The Benchmark LA4 (my keeper preamp) sounds like the pre90 but does not have the volume issues of the pre90. However, with the Voyager it maybe too much of a good thing for some folks. Too much detail and maybe too sterile a sound.

I had sold my Voyager before I owned the Schitt Freya+ preamp. That preamp will likely be very good with the Voyager. I say that because I really liked the Benchmark AHB2 | Freya+ | RAAL SR1a headphones. The AHB2 and Voyager (modded) sound very similar. The CODA 07x is better than the Freya+ but it costs more.

@markmuse If you are inclined to go with tubes give the Schitt Freya+ a 15 day home trial. Only thing you have to lose is having more money in your wallet. It is a very quiet tube preamp.

In my opinion, reviewers are mostly just one person's opinion and do not really add more than that. A few of them think they are either golden ears or know a lot more than the average bear. You see a few of them post on A'gon too with that attitude.

I get a lot more value from A'gon users posting their impressions of gear. More viewpoints and usually a bit humbler. A lot of opinions on the LSA Voyager on this site