Loaner: LSA “Discovery Warp One” Class D power amplifier

One thing I noted in my review is I was incredibly impressed by low volume performance from this amp, perfect candidate for lower listening setups. Was able to listen much lower than my aegirs for satisfying performance.

 

Great point. I kinda think if an evaluator can do low level, then I can definitely agree it's very valuable point.

However, I know I'm extremely poor at doing that. Here are some of my shameful failures.

• I couldn't discern Vidar vs AHB2 at 70db spl (at listening point) or so. Even in the sighted listening.
• I've failed to tell apart between single vs double aegirs at 70-75 db spl in the blind testing.
• Freya S and Jot 2 (as a preamp) sounded almost same to me around 75db spl.

My analytic listening via headphones typically done at 80-85 db spl at peak. And I believe everything not BS sounded more or less similarly good at low level. I may call out something terribly bad. But this loaner doesn't look like the case.

 

Wanted to extend our thanks from The Factory - I am enjoying the journey with all of you here... and we will for sure be offering several new products in the near-future.

Many thanks

Mark

 

Not to wander too far off topic since this is the loaner thread, but from my understanding, low-level listening tends to highlight a few things. First, most tube amps will excel at this since tube's (generally) inherent distortion profile rises with voltage. Solid state (generally) is the opposite. Lower listening levels place less dependence on huge current swings to control big-mass floppy woofers, too. Second, an amp that does better at lower millivolt/microvolt input levels tends to swing bigger relative macrodynamics. Sensitivity at the .001v-.1v range can be loads more convincing than sensitivity at the 2v-4v range. But I'm no EE, so I'm probably parroting some BS an audio dealer convinced me of.

 

received from @fastfwd

 

@rhythmdevils you said you're looking for more victims for loaners. I could eval and report back on this amp in 2 specific systems. 1: as the bass amp in a bi-amped open baffle + horn systems. Would be comparing against a cheap Class AB pro amp. 2: as the sole amp in a philharmonic audio-modded B22 desktop system. Would be comparing against a JLH69.

Neither seem like a "normal" use case for this amp (aside from generally listening at low levels), so I'm hesitant, but if you think the data points would be useful then...

 

sure! I’d love you to audition the amp.

 

Then I'm in. Taos, NM

 

On it's way to @philipmorgan

 

Received! haven't cracked the box open yet, but packing looks a+

 

I ended up supposed to be next, but I'll be away for Thanksgiving. Can I move back on the list a bit?

 

Sure thing, I'll do it now. Thanks for keeping tabs on the thread!

 

This is one clear reason why this amplifier worth the $$, and in no way you may compare it to the 98$ Aliexpress alternatives.

A well designed amplifier with the best components available?, backed up with excellent support? I will buy instantly

 

I'm going to need to back out of this loaner - not enough bandwidth right now. Sorry folks! Still looking forward to impressions, though, and thanks for the opportunity!!

 

If it needs a home and will end up in WI for a while, you can send it my way and I can handoff to spwath when the time comes (unless there are others on the list that have not yet had a go)

I wasn't going to have time, but if I have it over Thanksgiving, then I will .

.. dB

 

DO NOT TEMPT ME, RANDO! My finger hovereth on the buy button on Alixpress as we speak!!! I will compare these two amps!!!! You know I will do it!!!!!

 

Gimme the word if this is how we want to route it. Sorry I've hung on to this for too long, but I'm ready to dispatch to whoever's next

 

Oh poo on you

 

Let’s do this, thank you Don. We’d love your feedback on the amp and you’d probably have fun hearing it. So hold onto it until you have time.