Wow after only a couple hours the Bendix tube is making
everything sound better Air, tighter bass, more toe tapping |
Charles I will also put some Duelund caps in the speakers when my budget allows. Look forward to doing that perhaps this winter. |
Grannyring,
It's good to hear that your recent system changes are gelling so harmoniously for you. I'm happy the Coincident speakers are working out fine with you as well, I adore mine, they re very long term products I'm glad I followed your recommendation and put the Duelund CAST capacitor in these speakers.
Charles, |
Just an update folks as both the Lampi and new Bendix tubes burn in. I love this DAC. My previous DAC was the very highly reviewed and well respected Eximus DP1. Reviewers and owners alike rave on about how this $3200 dac shoots well above its price point etc...
Well the Lampi is so much better it is hard for me to believe. Just sounds so much more musical and real. Real is a word that best describes it. Every instrument and musical nuance is real, not reproduced, real! I can only imagine what a Lampi 6 would do. Oh my.
With my TRL Dude fully broken in and the Coincident TVIII speakers I am thrilled. |
Gopher I use the Sistrum 101 beneath my SET monoblocks and the Apprentice platforms with my speakers and all other components. It is money very well spent.
Charles, |
Agear,
The Rack of Silence Reference is made by Solid-Tech. They definitely made a difference, especially for the components on the reference shelves, but I also love the Sistrum Apprentices under my mono blocks. I just took delivery of a pair of SP-101s an hour ago and will see how they do under my speakers.
Jimyork,
I'm keeping the couriers busy today. I also took delivery of a LampizatOr TranspOrt which I'm excited to get in my rig singing with the Big Six.
I'll get some feedback on the system w/changes posted this weekend, but for now I'll just say the upgrade to the Big Six is significant and obvious even to a non-audiophile.
Glory,
Thanks for the honest opinion--I will consider a 3 or 4 level Sistrum shelf for my remaining components.
Fred |
Jim, the transport concept is a fabulous idea. I've used a wireless transport since 2007, and it is far better than any mechanical device or computer in my opinion. Yes, the resolution is limited, but the performance is so much better that I think it becomes a moot issue. The only issue that Lucas has is the Duet has been phased out by Logitech. I know he is actively working on an alternative transport mechanism, including Apple airport express and possibly Sonos |
The ROS did not compare well with Sistrum. |
Jim,
L5 Dac on Sp-1
There is enough bottom end of the unit left for a point to rest upon after the cut out for the tubes on the bottom . |
Jim,
L5 Dac on Sp-1
There is enough bottom end of the unit left for a point to rest upon after the cut out for the tubes on the bottom . |
Is the 5y3 interchangeable with the 6x5?
I was able to put my Lampizator on a sistrum rack by supporting it on a sistrum disk on the strip between the tubes and back of unit.
Don't know what the sistrum adds since I've only had the lamp on the sistrum. |
Is anyone using the Lampizator Transport? I have one and I love it. The only limitation is the limit on sampling rate to 88Khz due to the Squeezebox Duet portion used in the transport. |
Thanks Glory and Grannyring. I have ordered the Bendix and look forward to the improvements in my Level 4. I have my unit on a Sistrum rack but due to the tubes being in the bottom back, I have the L4 on a Black Diamond Racing shelf using Aurios between the unit and the shelf. What do you think about that setup or should I change the shelf around to have the L4 on the Sistrum points? |
Gopher, I believe Gary has used Stillpoints and Equarack stuff in addition to Sistrum. All fine products.
Who makes this "rack of silence." On a molecular level, an impossibility obviously. Clever marketing name. |
There is an Ebay seller selling B stock Bendix 5y3 tubes for $17. He has integrity and is a great guy. The tubes are nos and ony slight cosmetic issues for the B stock. |
Glory,
Did you ever compare results of the LampizatOr DACs on Sistrum vs. Solid Tech Rack of Silence reference shelves? |
Jim,
You should have one tube the power supply. I posted a # here on where to buy tubes. The Bendix is King!! |
Hello Grannyring,
Where did you end up buying the Bendix 5y3 tube? Do you have to buy one or two? Are there different versions of the Bendix 5y3 tube? I have the Level 4 - Gen 3.5.
Thanks,
Jim |
I have to thank Glory as I purchased a Bendix 5y3 tube and placed it into the Lampi and all I can say is WoW!
Great tube and the Lampi really responded with more clarity, openness, drive and resolution. Slightly more articulate bass also. Most impressed with this tube in my Lampi dac! |
Yes, mine has a great sounding USB input. |
Weatherb, if you are talking about the Lampizator, it does have an optional USB input. |
Hmmm...No USB interface. Drat! |
34,
Well my list of digital front ends is too long to dive fully into here. Not just Dax's, but many CD players also. The last few are.....
Cary 306
Ayre 5xme
Fully modified Sony player w/TRL mods
April Music Eximus DP1 |
Thanks Bill I will hopefully sort this out over the next few months. In the meantime I am enjoying this set up quite a bit. |
Abruce, , I will try that and compare..... |
Clio99
I didn't want to give my impressions of the file differences, but thought Grannyring would like to try and see which he may like better
Bruce |
I guess I have no idea what issues etc... went down between Core and Mojo. I hate that sort of thing and am ignorant of it in this case.
Ben at Mojo modifies the existing power cord so all I had to do was plug the power supply into the Mini using the same cord. Very easy and no issues at all. Worked perfectly!
He makes a very good power supply.
The USB input on the Lampy seems to be will implemented and sounds very good indeed. |
@Grannyring,
Can you share what other DAC's you've tried before settling on the Lampi? Thanks. |
Bill, I can see where the PS upgrade would probably generate the biggest improvement. I would consider the Mojo but was not too enthused with some of the bickering I read between Mojo and Core Audio, so they were eliminated. That left Red Wine and Paul Hynes and neither are cheap so I figure why not try and build one. Who knows if it works maybe I can dress it up and sell it.
Did you find installing the PS to be straightforward? I understand that one of the reasons Nugent recommends the late 2009 is that the PS upgrade is easier to carry out. BTW - I also did the Larry Moore mods.
Personally the main difficulty in going down this road was the selection of the front end. So may servers, USB converters, wifi devices, etc. out there. One reason I settled on the Audiophilleo1 is it can be plugged directly into the SP/DIF input on the DAC thereby eliminating a cable. However, I have to say that the Sonore Rendu was a close second. Having the ability to run Ethernet or Ethernet to the Rendu and then connect to he DAC was intriguing. Going to keep my eyes on those Sonore folks. |
Clio09
The biggest single improvement was losing the cheap power supply (switching) that is build into the power cord. The Mojo power supply is linear and very robust. It improved the sound in a big, big way.
You are in for a treat once to do that. It would be fun building your own for sure!
Glory, I also did all the software mods listed in the book by Larry Moore.
I like the Amarra 2.5 version as the sound has nice warmth and texture. All the detail is there, but in a full bodied manner. |
Abruce, exactly what is that difference. I have ripped using both as well.
I just basically installed the same front end as Grannyring, save the power supply which I am going to build myself. Also use XLD and a Wywires cable (dealer disclaimer). I use Audirvana which allows you to bypass ITunes save the UI, which I like.
For the rest I am either going direct into the USB input of the Resolution Audio Cantata (another dealer disclaimer), or using the Audiophilleo1 with Pure Power into my Lessloss DAC 2004 MKII. I just set up the Mac Mini this past weekend so I need more time to evaluate but as of now the updated Mac Mini at the minimum is on par with both the CEC TL-51X slaved to my Lessloss, and the CD drive in the Cantata.
I have a fairly light CD collection as I primarily listen to vinyl and analog tape. I was pretty much in denial for a while regarding the merits of computer audio. Thought I would never give up my transport. Now as I type this I am using the remote app for iPad to select songs.
I can now see where Grannyring and many others who have gone down this road before me are coming from. I will admit though a good DAC is a key to getting the optimal sound. If only they could make the front end set up easier than setting up a turntable or tape deck :) |
Grannyring
Try ripping to wav and then aiff, there's is a difference |
I am aware of that and would love to hear one someday. |
Bill, I was not referring to a plastic spinner from the 80s. Gary Anderson compared MM to the Lampizator transport and it was apparently night and day.
Lucas designed his transport around a wireless receiver similar to what I have had since 2008. Better than any mechanical entity dumping bits into buffered memory IMO. |
Have a '09 MM with LPS.
Have a '12 MM with a Larry Moore go through.
The '12 is much better and I don't have the LPS on it yet. Want the Black Lightning on it but a lot more $!$. |
08-18-13: Glory
3713,
It was a joke about being lost without the Sistrum. You can set it on anything you want. Do you have a Lamp?
~~
No I don't, although I do find the product interesting and this thread cued me to do a little extra research on it. I didn't intend to disparage the gear with my comment, and clearly didn't believe the Sistrum statement reflected anything unique about the Lamp. I highly doubt it is any more sensitive to mechanical isolation than other DAC.
I actually have a PS Audio PWD, which I honestly love. I don't think it's necessarily the last word in digital, but with the Mark II upgrade, it is definitely a quality piece with a lot of convenience (I use the remote controlled multiple inputs to switch between my music server, Ps3, and DirecTV). |
Bill,
The PWT is a high speed DVD ROM with a memory buffer, not a traditional laser CD spinner. There's a difference.
Charles, |
Agear, I am getting better sound with my computer compared to a CD transport. This was not the case right away, but over time I am learning how to make this a reality.
Apple Mac Mini 2009 large model
Large SSD drive
Mojo Audio power supply
Host of software tweaks on the Mini
Wywire USB cable
Amarra 2.5 version
No iTunes! Playlist thru Amarra only - important!
AIFF rips
XLD ripper for Apple
No CD transport I have tried is as good. Right now I have a modified Rega Apollo 35 Anniversary player.
Just an FYI |
Hi Agear,
I believe Knghifi wrote he got the PWT with the bridge not the PWD, he may
have meant PWD instead as that would make sense in comparison to the
Lampizator DAC.
Charles, |
Charles, i think the discussion centered on the PWD and not transport. The PWT would be fine with any dac and better than a computer imo. There was also some verbiage about the MWT.
hifi's comments about the lamp were unusual and a statistical outlier but to each his own... |
Most folks selling their Lampy's for a higher model as an FYI.
I use my Lampy with a CD transport and computer transport. Slightly better sound with computer USB hookup.
To get better sound through the USB takes lots of reading and fine tuning like a turntable! |
"I don't know Glorys DAC but if it is not modified it might suffer b/c a Bendix 5852 draws 1.2 amps as opposed to .6amps of a normal 6x5"
No suffering here!! |
I haven`t had an opprotunity to hear the Lampizator buts it has developed quite the reputation.There are folks posting here who`s opinions I`ve come to respect.I`ll assume the latest generation of this DAC is exceptionally good. I`ve read Knghifi`s comments over the years and believe he has good ears and taste, his impressions I respect also.
I own the PWT and it`s a top notch transport(it sits on the Star Sound Apprentice stand). Combine it with a high quality DAC and you`ll have wonderful sound(PWT won`t be the limiting factor). The fact that they`re bought and sold by some, well you can find anything for sale on this site given the fickle whims of audiophiles.I don`t see why the PWT-LAMP DAC wouldn`t be a very fine match. The PWT in my opinion isn`t "typical digital" sounding at all and fits superbly in my SET amp based system,which is very organic and quite emotionally involving. The PWT doesn`t change this character at all.I use a Yamamto DAC with Duelund CAST output cap modification,it`s wonderfully musical and natural.
I suspect the Lampizator is as good as claimed here but certainly a PWT with great DAC is a viable choice as well.
Just my 2 cents worth fellas.
Charles, |
If you wanna roll tubes buy L6 like I did. Roll 6sn7s all day, lots too choose. No need to mod the DAC, then get bent over buying pricey 6900s if you can find them. Ecc40 sounds sweet to me as well and it's been a consistent output tube for the L4. Reasonably priced too.
I don't know Glorys DAC but if it is not modified it might suffer b/c a Bendix 5852 draws 1.2 amps as opposed to .6amps of a normal 6x5. |
3713,
It was a joke about being lost without the Sistrum. You can set it on anything you want. Do you have a Lamp? |
Cal3713, hyperbole yes, but a lot is lost without good mechanical grounding. I have used it on speakers, subs, dacs, pre, amps, covers, and transformers. Need to get Lucas to built my Lampi with those design elements in place.... |
So far I have my Lamp 4 hooked up with a cheap 6 ft Blue Jeans digital cable that I got for under $20. Sounds great even with it. Any suggestions for RCA coax for $200 or less that would improve on the Blue Jeans cable.
Also trying a few 6x5 rectifier tubes that I got for under $10 each. Tried a Tung Sol, Ken Rad and just but in a GE tube. All were an improvement, but so far liking the GE and I just put it in. Have a Sylvania and National Union on hand to try too. |
"If you don't set the the Lamp on Sistrum stands then all is lost."
Wow, hyperbole much? |
I am aggressive with the Bendix tube. I like a good fight in my tubes and not some wimpy sounding Soviet junk tube.
It's not aggressive at all but does sound more linear and open. I tend to like it very much over the 6x5 tubes I have. Cost $75.00 and worth it.
Now the Bendix 6900/5687/7119/E182CC Triple Mica tubes
is a great tube the L has not even heard in his dacs. I have and it is a great tube to install for up tempo music. Only problem is L goes from one tube to the next in his dacs as the tube for the day.
Tomorrow the 40 tube will be history. |
Some Lamp tube talk here.
ECC40s were all made in the Herleen (spchk) factory cept for the Tunsgram ecc40s. I know from experience that the 5y3 or 6x5 rectis (depending upon which one you have) can be greatly improved with a NOS sub over the russian stock recti. Talking BIG improvment with a small ($10-$25) investment.
The Bendix is a interesting and rare recti sub but the circuit has to be modded to accept it. Without hearing it, I cannot comment. I'm suspect about it, since even NOS 5y3 or 6x5 is a huge uptick over the stock russian tubes.
I've read some people call the Bendix an aggressive sound. So between being stuck on having to buy a rare and pricey Bendix recti. NO tube rolling options, and doubtful I want my digital to sound aggressive, I will probably just stay curious unless, I get to hear it first. |
