Interesting point Steve. Love to hear what the Lampy builder would say as his tube dac, is digital, and quite special. As for a converter? |
Its beyond me why anyone would put tubes in totally digital equipment, even just for power regulation. Nothing about tubes is interesting for digital. If you want it to perform like something from 1950, this would be the way.
When I was in the 7th grade I got a Bendix G15 computer to disassemble. This was all tube digital.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio |
Has anyone compared the Lampizator USB converter to the Offramp? The Lampy website sure makes it sound like the best? It is a tubed unit which is interesting. I do know this. The Offramp makes the USB input on my Lampizator 4/4 dac sound almost broken. So the USB input on my Lampy is certainly not up to the standards of the Offramp. Now the Lampy converter? That is interesting to me. |
the question per Jriggy regarded the USB device.... |
Andrew, that is the tubed USB Converter. I thought Gopher was talking about the SqueezeBox based TRANSPORT. |
Jriggy, here is some data: http://lampizator.eu/shop/viewitem.php?productid=145 |
Gopher,
Can you comment on this "new USB Transport"???
~J |
andrew, I love the L7 link you posted before in that other thread.
Its the only online feedback I have seen so far, other than emails:
http://www.review33.com/m/forum_msg.php?db=1&tstart=0&s=&topic=47121019144020&start=20&sort=&number=59 |
For all the attention the Lampizator DACs attract I'm just as curious to hear their GM70 SET amplifier, it seems to be an all out serious design.
Charles, |
|
We will indeed be there, however, based on logistics I think we will only have an Level 7 dsd and L5 DSD.
Those DACs along with the GM70 monos, TranspOrt, two music servers, amp stands, etc., are already a tremendous amount to carry and we'd like the two DACs we do show to have both PCM and DSD capabilities (don't have a Big Six with DSD on hand). |
Couple of comments on some prior posts:
1 - Even though some DACs do not need USB power, they sometimes need that leg of the connection to make the initial handshake. That is my experience with my Lampi L4.5/G4 and my PC server. Once the handshake occurs I can lift the power leg (but I don't bother to do so).
2 - My current setup with the PC server + Lampi is the best digital source I have ever heard in my system. I had a Modwright Transporter before this which I really liked. This combination has taken digital to a new level for me. The bass I am getting out of this is almost as good as my vinyl. Currently I am playing with some different interconnects between the Lampi and my preamp to round things off. |
Jwm, I won't be there due to my work schedule. The Lampizator crew will be there with three different dacs (L5,6, and 7) along with Lucas's new USB transport. They are joining forces with Dale Pitcher from Intuitive Audio. Should be killer..... |
Empirical Audio does not exhibit at CES anymore because it is primarily a dealer show. We do RMAF and Newport.
Steve N. |
Agear (Steve) are you going to be at CES? If not will the Off Ramp be there? |
Thanks Steve. I am getting close to wanting to try your Offramp power supply! |
Agear - I have both Sonos and the Off-Ramp. Even using the Synchro-Mesh reclocker to reduce jitter of the Sonos is not as good as the Off-Ramp by itself. The Off-Ramp is in another class from the other USB converters.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio |
I misspoke. You would need the Synchromesh unit |
Bill, it should be able to... |
Agear, not sure I can do this with Offramp....it does not have a wireless option? Perhaps his reclocker unit does? |
Bill, try streaming wirelessly into Steve's reclocker and then the Lampi. David S found that he preferred feeding his Lampi with a Sonos over his modded Mini + Ifi gadgets.
I personally I am looking closely at true digital transports coming down the pike such as the Lumin. No computers for me in the chain.... |
Daniel,
Thanks for the information, you're really enjoying yourself, way to go.
Charles, |
I will report back on 88! |
Hello Clio,
I´ve also tried Izotope embedded into Audirvana but I still prefer upsample to 24/88 via Sample Manager, Izotope again, -at the expense of more disk space- because, to my ears, bass is better defined.
Regards,
Daniel |
Hello Charles,
Good to see you again.
Regarding to your question, yes, I´m still using the Yamamoto YDA-01, via the Music Fidelity V-link. It´s difficult or unlikely to part with the Yamamoto. I do like to try another DAC that beats the Yamamoto for the same money.
I´m still tasting the waters with Computer Audio, you know is stills not a mature market -far from it-.
My 1 month experience with Computer Audio goes like this:
1.- Main rig -Esoteric UX-1, Yamamoto YDA-01, Eastern Electric BBA, Leben CS-300, Zu Druid and Zu Method- plays better or equal than 16/44 files through MacBook Pro plus Musical Fidelity V-Link, rest the same rig-. In this scenario I wouldn´t go the computer audio route.
2.- But when 24/88 files enter it´s like a veil is lifted from the original 16/44 file -you know, more light- While I have to use the equalizer embedded on Audirvana Plus to get the sound I like. On the contrary bass seems a bit fuzzed going the 24/96 or 24/192 route, that´s what I favor 24/88.
3.- The best part is when headphones are connected to the Leben, the sound is far better through the computer -24/88- than going straight to Leben sans computer. Especially when using Philips Fidelio UX-1 -great bass- or Audeze LCD 2, Rev 2, -in this case bass is no as deep as Fidelio UX-1, but mids, highs and specially soundstage are the best I´ve ever heard.
4.- Next move. A TEAC UD-501 DAC it´s on its way home. I´m curious to know if it can beat the Yamamoto and if 32 bit depth to 88, 96 or 192 can better 24/88. Reviews are promising -I got a brand new for a fraction of the original Yamamoto price. Let´s see.
Hope this helps.
Daniel |
I'm using Audirvana and upsample everything to 176. Per Lukaz's recommendation |
I recall when I was using Audirvana that the Izotope SRC was imbedded into it. Seemed to work quite well, although for the same reason as I have yet to try Amarra, I prefer not to be tied to iTunes. So that is why I am now using JRiver. I do not believe they are using Izotope for the SRC.
I do prefer 24/88.2 of all the upsampling frequencies I have tried to date with original 44.1 recordings. We will see how 24/96 turns out. |
Hi Daniel,
What DAC are you using now in this set up? Sounds like you're having much fun.
Charles, |
The room correction feature is awesome! Ya, I was told to try 88 instead of 96 on Wave Editor...I may do this! Some feel it sounds even better. |
I´m using Sample Manager -made by the same people behind Wave Editor- to upsample batch of CDs to 24/88, my favorite rate conversion. I found 24/88 -compared to 24/96- performing way better in the bass section. Meaning, more clear bass resolution -at least to my ears-.
You can also get a trial version of the Sample Manager and it costs the same as the Wave Editor.
Regards,
Daniel |
I just saw the Wave Editor link on Steve's site and was curious about it. I am using JRiver and currently upsample 44.1 to 88.2. I will take a closer look at Wave Editor to learn how they accomplish the 44.1 to 96. From my past experience it seemed more practical to upsample in even multiples, but perhaps Wave Editor has a new twist to the process. Won't hurt to try it since it is initially free.
While I am very happy with JRiver I have also considered trying Amarra so I can test out the room correction features in it. Maybe I will try both at the same time. |
Enjoying my Lampy more than ever as I learn how to maximize the sound of my computer based transport. Something else I learned from Steve and Empirical that is yet another upgrade in sound.....
Use a program called Wave Editor and up sample your 16/44 files to 24/96 using the program. I am using the 15 day free trial and the full program costs $75. Cheap upgrade folks. The same type of gain I experienced going from aiff to wav. The upsampled wav files sound even more natural and relaxed removing yet another slight degree of digital artifact. The details can be found on the Empirical Audio site with a link to an Audio Circles thread on the topic. Read it and learn. |
Hi Charles, glad you're enjoying this new found level of naturalism in your favorite music. Enjoy! Thanks for all those jazz recommendations in your system's page.
Charles, Jeff, Andrew exciting news regarding L7 and Dale showing together. I will be there to listen to this system. |
Hi Fred,
That soulds really interesting, Jwm (Jeff) and I will make it a point to come by and listen . We'll bring music that very familiar to us. Besides the DAC I've always wanted to hear the Lampizator amplifier.
Charles, |
Jwm,
Lukasz Fikus, Robert Reich and myself will be at CES/THE Show on LampizatOrs behalfas well. Those of you planning on making it out to Vegas next month are invited to come visit us in rooms 4058-4060 at the Flamingo Hotel, January 7-10th.
We are excited to be debuting our Level 7 DAC, which we believe to be without peers, along with our GM70 monoblock amplifiers.
Our partners for the show will be Dale Pitcher of Mosiac Audio who will be showing his new Speakers, power conditioner and cables and tentatively Tube Research Lab who may be providing us with a DUDE preamplifier.
Hope to see some of you guys there!
Fred |
Jwm, I know the Lampizator posse (Lucas, Fred, and Rob) will be showing with Dale Pitcher which is very exciting. Lucas is bringing his L7 Lampi DAC along with his USB transport. Dale will be showing his new speaker line, conditioner, and cabling. Should be stellar. Wish I could go....
Crna39, that is good news. I think the prototype you had did not even have Gucci caps in place. Image that thing with Duelunds....
|
I had the opportunity to use the Lampi DSD in my system for a few weeks. I'd say it's as good as my Playback Designs MPS-5 at 1/3rd the price! |
Himiguel,
I'll tell you this with all sincerely, your Tripoint Troy has been an astonishing addition to my system but it's difficult to describe with words. You just hear and feel it, increased naturalness.
Charles, |
Hi Jwm, I will be attending CES. If you and Charles want to meet up one day that would be great. Miguel |
Little off subject anyone going to CES in two weeks. I'm going with Charles. |
agear wrote: "98/100 people would agree, and they obviously don't."
98 out of 10 people do not have a system with low enough noise, compression and distortion (or an optimized acoustic environment) to hear the difference. Makes sense to me.
It's time for those 98 percent to realize that their systems are not as good as they think they are. They are at level 5 and some of us are at level 9. The so called "computer scientists" actually have no credentials to make this judgment either IMO. Maybe a EE with 35 years experience. Even then, the experience must include the learning that there is a lot in audio that we don't measure that is still audible.
The state of measurements for stereo are a lot like the measurements and specs for TV monitors. Most of the measurements and specs (black levels, color saturation etc..) are done for 2-D viewing of static images. There actually very few specs or measurements for 3-D accuracy or motion accuracy. Whether a given TV monitor is good at 3-D and/or motion is determined mostly by a reviewer watching the monitor. These are really complex effects as is the 3-D imaging of a good stereo system in a good acoustic environment.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio |
Okay Bill I'll shut my mouth and stay out of this.
Charles, |
Charles, Agear and I have fun with this one and we don't see it exactly alike based on experience. He is a great guy and we will continue to jab on this one topic. I greatly value and respect his opinion....usually:-) |
Hi Agear,
My point was this, Bill has apparently discovered better sound in his system with the recent changes and I can appreciate and aaccept that. The emotional and visceral reactions in my own experience implies something for the better has occurred. Why doubt his observations?
Charles, |
Read this link as I may not be crazy or at least I have even more company. Audio Asylum now has even greater appeal to me.
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue63/aiff.htm |
....and that I am crazy hearing the difference between wav and aiff! Ha! I must be hearing things. Me and my wife are nuts....also my local Aphile friend! All crazy.....oh well..
I don't think the Apple is any more a jitter nerd then any other computer. The Empirical Audio Offramp has greatly helped all kinds of computer and dac combinations. The Apple holds no special nerd award Andrew. No, I on the other hand way well! |
Sorry boys, the audio emperor has no clothes at least in this domain. The shear variability in end user response speaks to that.
Steve, your hypothesis is just that. I have read verbiage from computer scientists who say any perceived differences between FLAC, AIFF, WAV, and ALAC are not based in reality. If they were, 98/100 people would agree, and they obviously don't. The patronizing stance regarding system resolution is no trump card here.
Jwm, I agree with you regarding observations regarding XLD and iTunes. iTunes is bit perfect.
Charles, I agree, as always, with your philosophical sentiments. However, toe tapping and visceral responses come and go and don't necessarily track over time with systems changes. The pesky and fickle phile within is constantly changing and fiddling. That seems to be the one constant in this hobby and why I reference the placebo effect as a potential influence.
The take home message from Bill, which is much appreciated by me, is that the Mac Mini, modded or not, is a jittery turd, and needs help. In this case, it came via Empirical audio. I have always believed in Steve's stuff. Just today I recommended an offramp to a friend who discovered that a Sonos into his Lampizator sounded better than his modded, Ifi'd Mini. |
Gearhead
"If you do blinded A+B testing of non-audiophiles (or audiophiles) in a "revealing" system, the results will be a mosh pit of confusion. Sorry folks, placebo effect here."
Geardad with his blind listening stuff LoL The only way to listen to gear. |
My hypothesis is that AIFF is a different format than wav as is FLAC and ALAC. These require a different CODEC. The real-time behavior of these CODECs may be different than static behavior, as in doing bit compares.
Also, there is a lot more than just data in these files. The formats all have lots of tagging and other information in them, including offset. If the offset is not properly decoded, this definitely impacts SQ. I have a number of test tracks that prove this conclusively.
BTW, the Off-Ramp 4 that Grannyring has been updated to include the latest OT transformer mods and the OR5 wall-wart, both improvements in SQ.
Steve N.
Empirical Audio |
Bill,
Toe tapping is a natural and unforced reaction,a very good sign that something is natural with what you're listening to. This response and when your head nods in beat/time with the music, well you're on the right track. Visceral and emotionl involvement are genuine and can't be faked.
Charles, |
