I am currently running a Lampizator Amber 3 in my system and am fully satisfied with its lifelike, holographic sound. It competes with many DACs I've had from PS Audio, Metrum, Sonnet, and on and on.
I have not heard the PrimaLuna model but it may be important to note that measurements in the current review in Hi-Fi News show just about the highest distortion of any DAC ever tested (by a factor of 10!). Admittedly, I’ve been looking at measurements for more expensive tube DACs like the BAT Rex 3 and Audio Research DAC 9, but the difference in distortion is staggering.
Importantly, the output impedance for the PrimaLuna is also ridiculously high for a source, and suggests that long cable runs, cables with high capacitance, or use with a passive preamp may really be inadvisable.
This said, I have heard lots of gear that measures poorly but sounds great, and I do not know how the Lampizator Amber 3 measures in these regards, but I am bowled over by the sound. I do know that the Lampizator Amber 2 had a specified output impedance of 180 ohms, which is excellent, whereas the Prima Luna is a whopping 2.34-12.2kohm.
I have enjoyed a PrimaLuna integrated in my system years ago, but it’s fair to say its measurements were more in line with competing standards. Not sure why their DAC exhibits such an anomaly when other tube DACs can be engineered for broader system compatibility.
Just putting this out there.
I have not heard the PrimaLuna model but it may be important to note that measurements in the current review in Hi-Fi News show just about the highest distortion of any DAC ever tested (by a factor of 10!). Admittedly, I’ve been looking at measurements for more expensive tube DACs like the BAT Rex 3 and Audio Research DAC 9, but the difference in distortion is staggering.
Importantly, the output impedance for the PrimaLuna is also ridiculously high for a source, and suggests that long cable runs, cables with high capacitance, or use with a passive preamp may really be inadvisable.
This said, I have heard lots of gear that measures poorly but sounds great, and I do not know how the Lampizator Amber 3 measures in these regards, but I am bowled over by the sound. I do know that the Lampizator Amber 2 had a specified output impedance of 180 ohms, which is excellent, whereas the Prima Luna is a whopping 2.34-12.2kohm.
I have enjoyed a PrimaLuna integrated in my system years ago, but it’s fair to say its measurements were more in line with competing standards. Not sure why their DAC exhibits such an anomaly when other tube DACs can be engineered for broader system compatibility.
Just putting this out there.