I am aware of that and would love to hear one someday. |
Grannyring
Try ripping to wav and then aiff, there's is a difference |
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 :) |
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. |
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. |
@Grannyring,
Can you share what other DAC's you've tried before settling on the Lampi? Thanks. |
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. |
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 |
Abruce, , I will try that and compare..... |
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. |
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 |
Hmmm...No USB interface. Drat! |
Weatherb, if you are talking about the Lampizator, it does have an optional USB input. |
Yes, mine has a great sounding USB input. |
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! |
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 |
Jim,
You should have one tube the power supply. I posted a # here on where to buy tubes. The Bendix is King!! |
Glory,
Did you ever compare results of the LampizatOr DACs on Sistrum vs. Solid Tech Rack of Silence reference shelves? |
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. |
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. |
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? |
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. |
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. |
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 . |
The ROS did not compare well with Sistrum. |
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 |
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 |
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, |
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. |
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, |
Charles I will also put some Duelund caps in the speakers when my budget allows. Look forward to doing that perhaps this winter. |
Wow after only a couple hours the Bendix tube is making
everything sound better Air, tighter bass, more toe tapping |
Bill,
I imagine that your wallet needs a rest for a while.
Charles, |
Bill/Grannyring, you are starting to sound like Charlesdad with your victory parade. Stop rubbing it in and leave us to our mediocre sound please. |
Bill, I imagine that your wallet needs a rest for a while.
Charles, I think his wife is the one who needs a rest. Have you seen her blog? |
Agear,
Your comment concerning your "mediocre" sound is tongue in cheek.
Robert (Star Sound) and Bill have spoken glowingly about your fantastic room. I hope you find the time one day to post your system on this site .
Charles, |
I received the Bendix tube last Friday. It immediately improved the sound of the system similarly to the comments above. As it has settled in, I noted improvements to the soundstage - more depth and wider. I paid $25 for the Bendix - an amazing improvement for the money.
Gopher - Did you get the Lampi Transport up and running? |
The ECC40 in my L4G4 are labeled only as "ECC40 - Foreign Made". Could anybody tell me who's the manufacturer ? I'm asking this because I'd like to do some tube-rolling and I don't wanna end up buying replacement tubes from the same manufacturer :) |
Jim,
The TranspOrt is in the house and making beautiful music with my Big Six. Its hard to describe what I'm hearing other than it being bold, dynamic natural and amazing. Its a very LIVE presentation, more so then I've experienced before in any medium-digital or analog.
Drumiha,
I'm not sure what those ECC40s are, but if they're the ones I had in a brown box with round holders that look like what you'd put coins in, they sounded fantastic when I used 'em! |
Thanks for your reply Gopher. Meanwhile I've found out that they are mullard and to be exact they are labeled CV3884 and not ECC40. Nice description of the feeling you get when u're listening to the Lampi, similar to my L4G4 but yours probably to a higher extent with your BigSix and TranspOrt...
Did anybody try a Brimar 6x5 rectifier in the L4 Lampi ? If so how was it compared to the stock (mine came with an RCA 6x5) ? |
Gopher,
The transport is really special. I hope Lucasz can come up with a replacement for the Duet receiver for high resolution above 24/96K.
I notice mention of folks using the Dueland CAST caps in speakers. I have been using them in my level 4 for about a year and a half. They took a long time to break in but I think they are a level above the Jensens which I used for about three months. Darker background, better dynamics, and more weight.
Glory,
I will set the Trans and the L4 on the Sistrum points this weekend. |
You are most welcome in advance:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ECC40-CV3884-MULLARD-NOS-BOXED-/270762678745?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Valves_Vacuum_Tubes&hash=item3f0ab699d9 |
Has anyone done any tube rolling with the Lampi Transport? I currently have a Russian 6U5C rectifier tube and I am wondering if there something better like the Bendix tube was for the Level 4 DAC. |
My L4G4 came equipped with "foreign made" CV3884's (mullard) and a 5U4C rectifier. Can the Bendix 6106 be used in place of the 5U4C ? |
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I thought that Audiogon was moderating to control these kinds of personalized and nasty interactions. |
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Abruce, if you read through the whole thread and understand the context, you would realize that Glory was jesting. That being said, I am glad someone finally called him out for what he is! After reading that line, I laughed for about 5 minutes straight. Funniest thing I have read on Audiogon in some time
What's even funnier is that it somehow made it through the censors....:-) |
