I don't think a single person reading this thread would disagree that a $6k headphone amp should be impressive. Whether someone expects it to be---and to what extent---is another matter entirely, of course. Plenty of expensive gear out there that fails to live up to expectations in that regard, but in this case I find the amp "pays its dues."
A few months back I tried the prototype LAu along with fellow head-fier Radio_Head, and we both pretty much felt it was the best solid state amp we'd heard. The pre-production version I recently auditioned is an improvement over the prototype. A not-insignificant one, IMHO. By no means is it a perfect amp, that goes without saying. Also beyond the very obvious cost factor it's not going to be for everyone. For me personally, I find it's ideal based on my preferences for how I like my gear to sound---or not sound---as well as my set of needs.
I sort of feel there's not much of a point in waxing poetic about this amp as most folks are going to arrive at their own conclusions irregardless. In my experience, much of the time people filter impressions to get support for and validate what they already feel they know to be the case. For the LAu specifically, I wouldn't be surprised if many have already decided "it's a good amp but it wont be worth $6k." Fair enough. Who am I to try and persuade them otherwise? Value and worth are personal matters, and there's a whole plethora of factors at work when deciding if something is personally worth it or not. Really the best thing someone who is considering this amp can do, as with any expensive piece of kit, is to try and audition it for themselves. Otherwise if someone genuinely wants to read my ramblings about the amp, I've posted them in the usual places. Also anyone can feel free to PM me.
