Ayon DAC or...

How much better is Helene DAC? Have you tried any Lampizator?

The Hele’ne is at another level compared to the Kronos.  It was twice the price almost but I could not go back to the Kronos after hearing the Hele’ne in my system.  It’s hard to imagine how the sound can get better until you hear it for yourself.  Of course, the rest of the system must be up to the task as well.  I thought my NUC based music server was as good as it gets until I got the Hele’ne.  The Ayon CD Transport sounds so good with the Hele’ne that it revealed serious shortcomings in my NUC based music server.  Next step was trying out the Antipodes K50.  Problem solved but now I am much poorer.  Oh well.  The things we do for our hobby.

The Hele’ne has much better bass and smoother highs.  No fatigue and no cotton ear after playing it loud.  The Hele’ne is much quieter.  The music starts out of nowhere.  For the first few weeks it startled me every time I hit play.  The imaging and soundstage are more focused and the realism more powerful.  Most of all the rhythm and pace is much, much improved.  It’s makes the music spellbinding.  Streaming and local files are excellent and satisfying.  They match closely to the best of the best vinyl.

I have heard a Lampizator DAC but not in my system.  It sounds very good.

It’s been a couple of months since I started to look for a DAC... still didn’t decide what to buy lol. I recently saw on a local auction a Lampizator Big 7 upgraded to engine Eleven. Price similar to much newer Ayon Kronos, but I started to think it’s not the best idea to but a Lampi from 2015. Even if it’s upgraded, it will be difficult to sell it later. So I guess... Ayon DAC or something completely different. :) 

Any other recommendations for a used tubed DAC up to ~6000 USD?

There’s always something better on the horizon.  I own an Ayon CD-T II and a Kronos.  I also live a few miles from USA Tube Audio.  My musical experience with the Ayon rig has been good, and then, tonywinga has to spoil my party, telling me the Helene is waaaaay better.     If the Helene takes music reproduction to a new level, it's very difficult to imagine how the Kassandra II can take the music, to yet, even a higher level?   Am I gonna have to get hotel accommodations for the musicians who show up at my home to perform???  Seriously, I wonder how audible to my old ears, sixteen R2R converters per stereo channel, will sound compared to the Helene with eight per channel?

Another question for actual USERS.  Is there any US support whatsoever for Aries Cerat.  I believe the brand is manufactured in Cyprus and I have little interest in having to send the unit half way around the world (from the USA) if issues were to occur.  If I'm not mistaken, I think I recall having seen a single dealer somewhere in the western USA?  Any insights would be appreciated.  Thanx