LSA Voyager GAN Amplifier

@jaymark


Very happy for you, and for Underwood. They went through quite a few hiccups, but to their credit they held off shipping earlier versions until they were satisfied.

Based on numerous class D amps I have owned, 200 hours is a magical moment in time, so if you are excited now.....


Mine is supposed to ship by tomorrow

My SUGGESTION to anyone thinking to send it to Ric (everyone should know I am a major fan based on my EVS1200 experience) ought to put a couple hundred hours on it first

hth

I don't doubt it is as good, or better than advertised. I should have one in my home in about 10 days. Im not as excited as I would have been had I not replaced an optical cable with a Pangea XL coax ($150/1.5m), which has ripped the cover off how good my Audio Alchemy DDP-1 + PS 5 actually is with my EVS1200, an amazing class D amp based on dual mono IcePower modules with lots of Ric Schultz magic dust

@jkscherk

I had been thinking I needed to upgrade my Audio Alchemy DDP-1 + PS 5. Not having that kind of money, first I replaced an optical cable that I had been using since I first got the DDP-1 between my Audio Alchemy DDP-1 + PS 5 and my Oppo 105 with a Pangea 1.5m XL coax ($150!), I was and remain flabbergasted at the transformation to my EVS1200 and the rest of my system

hth

IMPE, classical rarely sounded good, but over the decades as my system improved, so did my classical appreciation

I received UPS Tracking that my Voyager will be here Thursday, the 19th.


I noticed the Voyager product page shows a $175 wire upgrade option. Having experience replacing crap jumper wiring on my Emerald Physics 3.4s, I image the wire upgrade will be highly revealing for potential Voyager buyers


hth

My EVS1200 (sans Kubes) is chameleon-like in that it doesn't make poor recordings sound enjoyable, though it does make them sound "better" If that makes sense, though I don't doubt getting my roof siliconed has had a big impact on everything I play.


In case you missed it, last week I had my flat open beam ceiling roof siliconed to cut down on S Floridas penetrating heat. It really did the trick, but unbeknownst to me, an additional benefit is; the inside of my house is significantly quieter/immune from external noises from nearby interstate, trains, birds, and the morning frog serenade

Post Note: All the CDs Im playing after silicone sound so much better- longer decays, more intimate, wider, deeper sound stage, drums/bass much more authority... meaning my room has taken a giant leap in quietness that forces me to release my recollection of pre silicone sound.


Fortunately, I've had a few days to get a handle on it before adding the Voyager, otherwise any comparison would have been invalid

Well.... according to UPS, my GaN is out for delivery. Once it's warmed up, supposedly already broken in, I will start my own thread comparing/contrasting to my EVS 1200

@arafiq

Jaymark alludes to your points in his comments as a well seasoned amplifier purchaser


I've owned many class AB, one class A (Kinergetics KBA 75), a goodly number of tube amps and preamps. A and AB amps have one thing in common-they are inefficient, class A much more so;  with class A and tubes in the 200wpc+ adding room warming heat that in many parts of the country/world require room cooling. Imagine the heat and electricity at 350/600+, oh and the cost to replace tubes.

Ric calls high price A & AB amps boat anchors. Well, for sure the used market will dry up, and likely a good portion of the new big money amp sales, should buyers listen to the new crop of GaNs side by side. And it's those guys who can afford to buy to try. Can't wait for those comments. So, Ric how long before discrete inputs become the next version of say the Voyager... are you fast at work?

In further assessing my stock Voyager, I finally got around to classical. First up was Yellowstone by Chip Davis. I have a connection to this as I visited Yellowstone and hiked around. On one hike along close by a river a small herd of Buffalo came by some 30 yards away from us. I took a picture of a calf suckling on its mother. We stood and watched without moving, and yet the bull came between us and his herd, non threatening, but certainly sending a message.


The album has cuts with nature sounds, as though they were recorded in the open. Expansive, open, well recorded. It's this kind of recording that makes the Voyager special

Last night I listened to Alison Krauss + Union Station New Favorite. Listened to this disc at least 50-100 times. It was always entertaining, but I simply wasn't prepared for how everything sounded so clear, so focused and natural. Not even thinking about it, when the banjo played I was floored, as I never noticed it before, because it never had its own space or sounded so natural. Ditto all the musicians and singers.

I remind anyone interested in this amp to read the Absolute Sounds Technics review in Jul 2021 issue. As I read it the other day, he nailed everything Im hearing, which should help you decipher my scribblings on how the Voyager sounds

@yyzsantabarbara


WOW. That’s some seriously good 411

I think we can point to speakers as XOs are typically done by ear in a specific room, to a specific amplifier, or taste. My Emerald Physics 3.4s (12" concentric drivers with 1" polyester dome tweeters) are plenty adequate for most rooms, but in my voluminous room I supplement with 2 SVS 12" down firing subs. I had the XOs set at ~ 80 (which works with some bass shy, or overly bright discs), but as I kept dialing them down to ~ 45 speed significantly increased as well as detail with my stock Voyager, yet still providing the fullness of notes say from a hollow body guitar, or banjo, and I suspect a violin, cello... Obviously, this can’t be done on hard wired XOs, where small changes can have a dramatic affect on the sound

Don't know whether I mentioned this, but my V came with sorbothane footers. These slow and smear the sound. I use machina dynamic springs, but there are alternatives  https://www.amazon.com/44-5x40mm-Compression-Isolation-Amplifier-Turntable/dp/B08MT1R4KZ/ref=sr_1_44...

FYI, I replaced 2 sets of springs with the devices I provided the link to a few replies below

They really work, and are stable unlike the springs. Ill be buying more for my XOs, Oppo 105 and speakers


hth

@ricevs

Patience? I’ve waited 2 years from when I was initially told I would have the Voyager. Of course it was out of my control, but the wait was well worth it.

Confucius say The reward for patience is PATIENCE

YYZ  Are you using XLR or RCA cables? My system is 100% true balanced. I don’t notice any less bass, but surely cleaner, faster bass. Now, having said that, improving on internal wiring can bring a touch more bass authority/weight. Be very interesting to get a report after Ric does his thing

Last night I played my absolute worst torture test cd Wilson Philips Greatest Hits, and for the first time I was able to listen without pain, but the music IMHO SUCKS

@y


Thanks XLR should be quieter
Decades ago a buddy had the Krell KSA 50S or 100S... it was a potent beast

@rajugsw


If the LAS Voyager was an off the shelf module that was 'merely' in need of an input, I and presumably many others would not have been waiting 2 full years from it's initial intorduction

Looking at the V 350 under the hood pic, it appears one area to upgrade, that could improve the overall sound, is heavier gauge wire from the modules to the inputs

Having owned both tube and SS, the thing I recall about tubes is they are more holographic, lighting the music from within. As Ive mentioned, my room is volumetrically large, so for me to get a proper spl I need big tube amps which, unfortunately in S FL are heaters, as are large AB & class A amps (I loved my Kinergetics KBA 75 which (as I recall) was 75 w pure class A.


Among the many things I'm enjoying with the Voyager over the EVS 1200 is, it can be eerily holographic, when the recording is. I never heard that with the EVS 1200, though I very much enjoyed the amp, at least until the V arrived

hth

I have had plenty of kit moded over the decades, mostly to the power supplies, internal wiring, or bypass caps. Simple DIY mod is upgrading fuses, which can be a much bigger sonic benefit than many are willing to admit, or now coating the connections with Goop

The stock Voyager sounds really good after I replaced the leading edge muffling stock rubber feet and got better still as I replaced all my 5+ yo machina dynamica springs with these. Outstanding improvement


https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08MT1R4KZ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I still have a pair of attenuators. Alas, my system is all true balanced
George, did you try this tweak, or summarily dismiss it, like most things you argue against?
K&M Magnets sell a wide variety of magnets

Ric, can you stay on topic instead of attempting to be a enlightening guru? You're distracting from the thread

One of my supreme torture CDs is Annie Lennox Medusa. My jaw dropped as I played it all the way through. The V has unraveled all that was wrong with all the class D amps I've owned, including the EVS 1200, which I suspect is the Switching Speed

Although I've been using a 1"+ x 6 x 12ish heavy marble slab on top, when i tried to replace the springs with Mapleshade triple points and Herbies cups, I could hear the ringing. This morning I am going to remove the lid, as I did previously with both my EVS 1200 and Oppo 105

Ric says he is adding vibration deadening material to the Vs he's modding

hth

@abraxalito

As more become GaN amps available doesn't mean they will all be made to the same standards. The basic GaN module is inexpensive.

Definitely check out the other GaN threads: LSA Voyager is only $3000, and benefits from simple tweaks like replacing the rubber footers with inexpensive springs, weighing down the top, or removing it as I am about to do, as I have with my Oppo 105 and EVS 1200 class D amp
hth

I found the stock Voyager feet to soften the leading edge which also affects size and clarity of instruments and sound stage. I use Nobsound springs which are taller than the stock footers, so easy peasy. I started with 4, but now am using three, one directly under the power supply
I also removed the top cover which rings when you tap it. I think Ric is placing deadening material

hth


https://www.amazon.com/gp/css/order-history/?ref=hud_2_gw_profile&pf_rd_r=54YT2RX194GRYAPRRH2J&a...

My stock V has no graininess that I notice

@chorus


+1

Great report/review Chorus!!!


IMHO, they should have named it David for all the giants it slays

One of the many things that surprised me was the V plays louder in my large room than the twice as powerful EVS 1200


Depending on when your V was made, it might have factory upgrades, which they’ve been including for a while now

hth

ASR review: what a crock! 93 people didn’t like it at all. When the hell did 93 people get one to report negatively? Down right slander

Isn't there findings audible, and is it possible/probable that there was an issue with this amp, and shouldn't they have inquired to LSA? 

@hifi59

 

Having lived with the V now for well over 6 months, and prior to it almost 2 years with Rics excellent EVS1200, both require repositioning of the speakers and my listening position. It sounds to me like you need to be closer to the speakers. I’ve played CSN, The Eagles, Trio: Dolly, Linda, and Emily and all are properly positioned and in the room with me

It appears this thread gotten off topic. Can we bring it back where it belongs?

Reading thru the ARS comments I wonder about Ric’s mods:

Did Ric reorient/invert the PS (seems simple enough), and at least check several of the comments about distance under the modules, etc...? He has the mods posted, so Ill be looking them over

http://tweakaudio.com/EVS-2/Voyager_amp_mods.html

OMG, there are 30+ MORE OFF TOPIC comments since I said it’s gotten off topic; NONE of which have ANYTHING to do with Jay’s intention for starting this thread.

 

Chances are the mods will close this thread, which is a DISSERVICE to those of us who own a Voyager (and very happy), or others who were interested in getting one.

To those of you who never made a soldering mistake, or any other kind of mistake, oh, that would be none of you who are posting. The man in the mirror

Ric you are just as much to blame for subverting this thread as anyone, due to your insessant off topic contributions about love and oneness. How you don’t see that you do yourself a disservice as many who would have considered having you mod something for them are likely turned off

@amplifierdude

 

I don’t care for your tone... Rics’ #1 supporter? Why should I send my DUAL MONO EVS1200 to you... to accomplish what?

I’ll pass, but you can bring all your equipment here and play Mr Scientist

 

Oh well, but since you are so intent on showing Ric as a hack, Ill sell it to you for $3000 + shipping + paypal

and yet, you throw this out

Well I think he only has 2 clients. So we can retain some faith in humanity.

So, you'll parden me if I don't believe a single word you say

Your arrogance comes across loud and clear, to me at least

@jjss49 

 

Thanks for taking the time to show these 2 for who/what they really are. Let's hope Tammi or the mods see this and strike these 2 and our needed responses so this thread can be sanitzed once again

 

testing 1-2-3

I am aware that some of you complained about not enough bass. Don't know if they simply used the stock soft rubber feet, which IMO sucked a lot of life out of it: well I just uncovered it, taking my Voyager to a much higher level of enjoyment by simply replacing my 6 yo old+ Machina Dynamica springs under everything prior to buying the Nobs @~ $8/4, which have 7 springs in each. And they definitely improved the sound, but I started watching this thread: 

 Nobsound springs - load range, which is very informative about the amount of weight each spring is designed to handle.  Well, late yesterday I started pulling springs out, starting with 3 springs/3 Nobs under my Oppo 105 first (decent improvement). Today I got busy, starting with my LSA Voyager GaN 350 amp (OMG!), then my Audio Alchemy DDP-1 + PS 5 (here I only used 2 each X 3). This leaves my Core Power 1800 PLC, which currently has 4 Machina Dynamica springs, and eventually my EP 3.4 OB speakers, a 2 person job as they are currently on Harbor Freight dollies.

 

I am totally amazed. I now have authoritative bass- mid bass, which gives the music significantly more drive, putting a big smile on my face listening to Lyle Lovett The Road to Ensenada CD. One of my torture test CDs is Jennifer Nettles Playing With Fire. It's on as I write this. Where many of the songs sounded thin, so far it sounds natural, like she's in the room.

 

hth

@kuribo 

 

As to your questions to me: they sound like intelligent questions, but I only have my ears to go by with the help of others comments regarding using 1-3 springs, instead of the full compliment

 

 

@lewinskih01 

 

I know you didn't ask me, but I have Emerald Physics 3.4s (12" midbass with 1" concentric polyester tweeter) with my Voyager. I can tell you it came with CRAP jumpers to the outboard XOs. By itself, replacing them was HUGE. Also until I got the longer and superior jumpers I had to put the XOs on the base. Man that thing vibrates like crazy, and yet I've seen plenty of for sale ads where the owner is using the crap jumpers and has the XO resting on the base. Go figure

@lewinskih01

 

Unfortunately, no, but the 3.4 is/was a big upgrade from the 3.whatever

The EP3.4 is designed to run with a single amplifier and a subwoofer for extended bass response or run full range in smaller rooms without a sub. The 3.4 has our new custom Emerald Physics cast basket 12" midrange the new Emerald Polyester diaphragm compression tweeter and an improved crossover over the original EP3 that it replaces. Our new .4 series Custom Emerald 1 inch exit Polyester compression tweeter delivers a smoother more extended response along with a higher resolution presentation and greater transparency. The new midrange is more linear and has great micro and macro dynamics.

 

Here’s a pair just for visual