Topping LA90 Review (Integrated Amplifier)

[dsnyder0cnn]

Is it worth the upgrade for a pair of bookshelf speakers?

It depends on the efficiency of the bookshelf speakers and how loud you listen. The Yamaha will have almost 4 dB more headroom while the Denon will have 2.3 dB more than the LA90. That does not sound like much, but if you're already at the limit, losing a few dB of headroom might matter to you. The LA90D is a nice size. I have one sitting on my desk, so the smaller form factor can be convenient. But, it lacks most of the features of the Yamaha and Denon. There's no remote control, inputs are limited to balanced TRS/XLR, etc.

 

[daniboun]

This vs my current Yamaha R-S700 or a Denon PMA 1500AE? Is it worth the upgrade for a pair of bookshelf speakers?

Having owned the LA90, I can say it's excellent, let's be honest. But for me, the best upgrade for driving Bookshelf speakers would be the Wiim Amp Pro; the PEQ combined with the acoustic correction makes all the difference. I think a well-calibrated acoustic correction with the Spinorama PEQ will allow you to get the most out of your speakers (in my case, using the Dayton IMM-6 microphone).

My speakers have never sounded so good since I started using RoomFit + PEQ

 

[SacreDro]

I listen to low to medium level with my Diamond 11.2s.

 

[Jarrett]

Having owned the LA90, I can say it's excellent, let's be honest. But for me, the best upgrade for driving Bookshelf speakers would be the Wiim Amp Pro; the PEQ combined with the acoustic correction makes all the difference. I think a well-calibrated acoustic correction with the Spinorama PEQ will allow you to get the most out of your speakers (in my case, using the Dayton IMM-6 microphone).

My speakers have never sounded so good since I started using RoomFit + PEQ

I'm curious because I do a similar thing. I've been correcting to 500 hz, then I look at my speakers on Spinorama, then the room measurement, and I try to see where that PEQ might benefit above 500 hz.

 

[onununo]

This (above) combined with the power supply that appears to be single rail (64V@4A), suggests the amplifier is already running in bridge mode when operated in stereo.

Switching to mono creates a bridged, bridge amplifier. It is highly likely this amplifier will have trouble with impedances below 4R in mono. Their spec also says 8R is the minimum in mono mode.

Yeah, I aree. Bridging amplifiers is not the cure to all diseases. Bridged amps perform worse than non-bridged ones.

 

[Jarrett]

Is this accidentally still pinned?