Lampizator Questions

What are your questions?  I have had the Lampi Pacific and Horizon.  The build quality on each was extremely good.  Tube rolling is not necessary but everyone does it.  It is fun to change tubes to find your sweet spot.  Once you find it, you usually stick with it.  If you really want to read about Lampizator, goto What's Best Forum.  There are probably 30 threads on different Lampi products under the digital section.  BTW, I have had at least 7 DACs in the last ten years and Lampizator is the best DAC I have owned,  

@willgolf 

Thanks for the response- I just sent you a PM

In reading owners input on various forums there seems to be question with regards to the output level on certain previous models. I believe the newer models offer a high/low output setting on the back of the unit while others just reduce the output volume (if their dac is configured with one).

From what I’ve read various methods have been offered for solving this but I’m trying to learn more about the various output levels specified across models and which preamps are agnostic to these DAC’s high output levels.

Is there any impact to sound quality by running at a reduced volume output and/or would this be something that requires constant adjustment (with the use of various tubes?) 

Wondering if other owners have experienced these issues with Lampizator, what other components were in the chain and if they experience distortion how was it mitigated.

@willgolf My question to you is: Do you know why Lampi started making dac’s with indirect heated tubes and later they switched to DHT and now their flagship unit Horizon is back to using IHT with the wapping price tag of 49,000.00. Did they ran out of ideas or the new trend is part of their marketing scheme? Your unbiased input , on this matter, will be appreciated.

willgolf

Tannoy, probably because in each dac the best implementation was used after R&D. Maybe the Horizon circuitry benefitted best with that type of  tube is my best guess.

@tannoy56 

How does your question relate to the question I originally asked? 

@designsfx Does it have to relate to your original question? Are you taking an offense, because I din’t ask for your permission. Don’t you see that almost no one on this forum is interested in your question. In addition, my question was not even addressed to you. What is wrong with you?

@tannoy56 

I guess you’re right- highjack as many threads as you see fit, it’s a free country after all. Oh- next time you’re out and about do us all a favor and pick up a book on proper grammar.

I have a Lampizator  Atlantic DAC, it was the basic unit when purchased.  Over the last several years I updated the DAC twice,  the DAC sounds excellent  in my tube based rig. 

Another place to check feedback is Audio Circle....there is a dedicated thread from owners.

@maxboy00 

I checked out your system page- nice setup! Having gone through various upgrades with your Lampizator have you had issues with the output gain? Are you driving your amp directly from the dac?

@designsfx , Thanks. 

So far, no issues driving my Viva  IA, from the Lampizator.  Typically,  when I switch  between the Amp and the DAC,  I let it run that way for a few months.  Also recommend by Lampizator dealer is to turn the DAC volume between 1-10dB when used as a DAC....it adds some richness.  

The only issue I had with the DAC, is that the left channel stopped working,  it was dead and not a tube issues, it was repaired under warranty. There have been no problems  post repair.

Been using the Baltic 3 for over two years and it has been solid. Build quality is very good and am super happy with the sound attributes. As the B3 has no VC it has the high / low gain switch which I run in the high position. I can run it in either position with my preamp but I do think it sounds slightly better in the high position. With regards to tubes, the rolling part is fun if you are into that sort of thing.  Swapping each of the positions has a noticable effect and allows you to tweak the sound to suit your preferences.

@chilehed 

I like your system- straightforward digital! It’s good to hear that you’ve not experienced any type of distortion issues while using the high gain setting without the volume control version of the Baltic as I’ve read that the high gain setting on the Baltic is 6v (which seems high). I’m wondering if there would be a difference between your preamp and the one I own or if running at the low output setting would work. Seems the level adjustment options are different with the volume control units. Either way- Congrats on your system!

My Pacific with VC ran direct to Aries Cerat Essentia amps.  My Horizon also runs directly to Amps.  IMO, the pre-amp portion of the P and the H are good enough to where you do not need a Preamp.

@tannoy56 

There was no real "switch" to or from DHT DACs.   LampizatOr DACs have always come with a variety of different tubes utilized.  If you look at the brand history you'll see everything from 6sn7/vt99s, to 12au7, 6n6p, 4p1l, dhts, pentodes, and even some large and unusual indirectly heated tubes.  

Each type of tube requires different kinds of design concerns and solutions.  Here is a video of Lukasz discussing the tube decision for pentodes in Horizon;  https://youtu.be/ha_ltmaGu20

@lampizatorna, willgolf For most of the years of Lampizator existents -since 2005, they were making DAC’s with triode tubes but not DHT. When luka came to the US, he was convinced by small audiophile group, in San Fransisco, to produce a DAC with DHT. That’s were the name Golden Gate came about. Since then, Lampi continue to make only DHT DAC’s, until the new flagship Horizon. Don’t get me wrong. I own and love Lampi DAC’s, but was wondering about why, all of a certain, Lampi is using again IHT tubes design? After all, any good tube circuit designer begins with careful selection of tubes. Why Luka selected IHT tube today, after glorifying the sound of DHT design for quite a few years?

@designsfx , thanks. No distortion from either position. As @willgolf mentioned, there is an enthusiastic and active group of Lampi owners on WBF. If you have your eye on a particular model and have a specific question you can probably get more perspective over there. If there is something I can tell you about my preamp that might provide insight to how yours might perform please let me know.

@tannoy56 

Why not ask Lapizator this question since you're an owner...Rather than ranting and derailing a thread that has NOTHING to do with the issue you brought to it. 

@jc51373

My question was relevant since it was pertaining to the Lampizator DAC.  In regards to your advise - "Why not ask Lampizator this question".  Well, my intention was to hear from knowledgeable, unbiased users of Lampizator, and not directly from the company. 

I wonder, why anyone would be so upset and use derogative tone.   I usually call this time of people like you - An emotional Terrorist.  Good Day. 

I saw a notification on this thread and realized it was one I started almost a year ago- time flies! I want to thank @chilehed ​​​​@maxboy00 for their honest responses and advice, I really appreciated the information.

After seeking more information, more research and more listening I ended up ordering a new Lampizator Golden Atlantic TRP3 balanced dac. I had been considering a T+A Dac 200, Rockna Wavedream Signature and (for a short moment) a DCS Bartok Apex. After hearing a mind blowing demo with a new Baltic 4 I decided I would pursue a Lampizator. 
The beginning of my search started with an older balanced Golden Gate and Pacific which were both available on the used market but after conversations with Fred A at Lampizator NA I decided to try the latest TRP with engine 11.

I have to say that although my impression of this unit was a little rocky at first this Dac has become the center of my music system and is one of the best purchases I’ve made. I was advised (warned) by some that the Lampizator all comes down to the voicing and that the tube selection/matching is the most crucial element when it comes to “dialing in” what is already an amazing piece of equipment.

Although it was frustrating at first (and semi costly) I was able to determine through experimentation which tubes I wanted to go when it comes to how they worked within my system. After roughly 4 months of buying, burning in and listening I was finally able to land at least four quads of power tubes and multiple rectifiers that all deliver variations of what I was looking for. 
All in all this story has a happy ending. Every time I sit down to listen I’m amazed at the improvements that have been realized and what’s really great is that as I continue to seek out and purchase more variations of tubes within the families I use things just keep getting better. 
Although the Golden Atlantic TRP3 is not the top tier model produced by Lampizator I have been told by others (who own Horizons and Pacific’s) that it is the sweet spot of the product line. All I know is that it has been very rewarding for me so far and I highly recommend this product to anyone who wishes to experience what a great tube dac can deliver.

Wow! @designsfx , congratulations on the score and the journey. Adding the B3 to my system was transformational so I can only imagine what the Atlantic TRP does for yours. All the best going forward!