Lampizator DAC's

@brbrock 

I can only speak to my experience with my Golden Atlantic TRP3. The TRP stands for “Tube Rollers Paradise” and the dacs will work with a large variety of tubes (both pentodes and indirectly heated triodes). While there are some pentodes I enjoy I have to say that I much prefer triodes overall for their linearity and output.

Tubes can expensive really fast but (as with anything) it depends upon what you’re looking for. I own two tube dacs and I never roll tubes in the other one (Aqua La Scala MKII). It’s not because I can’t but rather it’s more trouble than it’s worth.

The TRP is all about tailoring the sound quality to your system- and the tubes you use will have the most influence in this regard. There are MANY tubes available that do not require breaking the bank- it just requires a little diligence and patience as how they work within your system requires a learning curve.

If you’re interested in learning more about it I would suggest searching out the TRP tube rolling thread at what’s best forum. I, and others I communicate with regularly post our experiences there.

@wjcasey3rd 

Sure- there will always be charts and graphs floating around like this one- it’s unavoidable. But when you consider this was crafted by the man that over sees the design and manufacture of this product it shouldn’t be a surprise that the level of quality follows the price point.

Reality is quite different though as we all know some follow the advice of friends and/or reviewers, others follow specs and the rest is left up to subjective impressions when hearing gear.

I don’t really know how to quantify the level of difference between these models as I’ve not had the opportunity to have every one of them lined up side by side in my own system for comparison. I don’t really know know though that I’ve heard the Baltic 4, the Golden Atlantic TRP3 which I own and the Poseidon and I’ve not felt compelled to sell what I have to move up to a higher priced model- it’s that good.

I know another owner who sold his TRP with the earlier E53 in order to move up to a Poseidon. When I asked him how it was he simply said “I love it! But as to whether or not it’s better than the Atlantic I really couldn’t say”. 

As with any gear- work towards determinIng what you want it to provide for you and then identify what you’re comfortable with spending. 

@designsfx Thank you for that chart. You seem pretty knowledgable.  I have never had tube gear before and not sure how much I should expect to spend.  I assume there are different prices for tubes but is some affordable that is pretty decent?  

Love there is a Balic3. Then a Baltic4. That plus the other typo tells me that isn’t a depiction a reputable company would put out. This is what worries me these days about information. Most of you have given me endless, great advice. Then you have stuff than makes you have to think more. 
 

One should also note this graph is mislabeled where the Atlantic is concerned. There is no Atlantic 4 but rather the TRP3 with Engine 11. 

@brbrock 

Here’s the graph.

Their website is a possible starting point as they "rank" their DACs in some of the included .pdf files.

I’d like to see that graph as well.

@soix Ranking them in terms of sound quality.  

@v-fi There is a graph somewhere that shows old discontinued DAC's with new DAC's ranking them in order.

Ranking in terms of what?

I would like to know this as well. As an owner of a Lampizator Golden Gate 2, I am still unsure about where it fits in the hierarchy. And where it stood at launch is not necessarily where it stands now, as they launch higher models.

I'm still a huge fan though. Just would like to know out of curiosity.