Maybe, but others seem to have entered.
Lampi did get 2 PFO awards here:
http://positive-feedback.com/Issue76/awards2014.htm |
You guys need a new thread since Granny has moved on. |
Yes, DSD with the Lampizator is very good.
http://positive-feedback.com/Issue76/lampizator_dac.htm |
Lampi DSD is outrageously good. When I see others talking about DSD on their Dac, I have to wonder what teir face would look like if they simply did a 5 minute demo with a Lampi Dac...
Most just dont know what they are missing. |
After four fabulous years, generation 4 finally came to a close being replaced by gen 5.
Read what Wayne Donnely has to say about the Gen 5 Level 4 here: http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/1214/LampizatOr_Generation_5_Level_4_DAC_Review.htm |
09-09-14: Dragon_vibe
I tried the lampi direct to the Tube amp and with Tube PRe-amp and the same with MSB. Both are top DAC but I still give it to the MSB in the end. It comes down to personal taste. To me the MSB was a clear winner. I am still curious about the Lampi 7 That's fair. MSB is obviously a stellar company. What did the 4 give up to the Analog dac? The 7 is a beast.... |
I tried the lampi direct to the Tube amp and with Tube PRe-amp and the same with MSB. Both are top DAC but I still give it to the MSB in the end. It comes down to personal taste. To me the MSB was a clear winner. I am still curious about the Lampi 7 |
08-26-14: Dragon_vibe
I prefer Digital as SS running through Tube Pre-amp and Tube Power Amp. Kinda feel Transparency can be lost if too much Tubes are in the Chain. I guess this probably also comes down to system synergy and setup. That's one reason why I run the Lampi direct via its VC. Much better transparency than a tubed pre-amp.... |
For what its worth, I compared the Lampi 4 with the MSB Anolog and preferred the MSB more. Maybe the Lampi 5 or 6 could best it.
I prefer Digital as SS running through Tube Pre-amp and Tube Power Amp. Kinda feel Transparency can be lost if too much Tubes are in the Chain. I guess this probably also comes down to system synergy and setup. |
Gopher, thanks for the tip. So far my favorite rectifier for the Lampi is the RCA. I will look for the Kenred. |
For those looking for nice tube rolls for their Lampis, I can add the Kenred ceramic base 6x5s to my list of recommendations. Another great, affordable tube that takes things well beyond the stock rectifiers! |
A report on the Lampizator Level 4 in action at the recent Capitol Audio Fest from Part Time Audiophile.
http://parttimeaudiophile.com/2014/08/12/caf-2014-gingko-wells-and-lampizator/ |
A Lampizator DAC is in Room 506 at this weekend's Capital Audio Show in DC. Stereophile says its under priced for the sound delivered.
http://www.stereophile.com/content/2014-capital-audio-fest-day-two |
Essoteric, Lampizator will also be showing at the New York audio show Sept 26-28th. |
Yeah in NYC, there are several Lampi owners, plus the distributors (Gopher and Bertto from AudioCircle)live in Long Island. I think Berto works in manhatten.
Contact them via the Lampi circle at that website or lampizatorNA dot com |
Is there any way one can listen to a Lampizator in NYC |
In case you ex-Lampi dac guys missed this:
AL's review from CA:
AS i have had my B7 for about 4 or 5 days now going 12 hours at 6 and 6 at a time . the pcm is as good or better than my msb Platinum stack . as it plays i am in amazement . the presentation is awesome its like hearing your music all over again. my home cpu stinks . and the dsd was good but not giving the wow that the PCM has. so i fired up my iMac and audirvana plus . i put on elvis 57 a dsd download . its only dsd 64 from analog . track 3 it has a simple clapping in left the channel . now clapping is a simple sound but so is a piano and most dacs stink at it this dac is giving me the texture of the hands as they clap. the only time i have heard this is with my msb. this may seem simple but its a milestone . this dac has given me my wow moment. i can hear into the recording so deep that gives me chills of realism . i now have my WOW moment.
thanks rob and most of all lukasz for this device and at this price its an even better wow for me.
al |
My CSL has been sold, the difference I remember was the Dude sounded big I mean really big, and Bill mentioned it did overload the room
The test now is if the Lampi L5 direct is as good or better than with the Dude in the system
As of now I'm more than happy running the Dac straight to the Samson's
Bruce |
The TRL DUDE in my system was very good and I understand its loyal following. The Coincident Statement as Jwm stated was simply better sounding, more natural, pure and open. The DUDE had a recognizable signature and was by direct comparison veiled (ever so noticeable). System synergy? Very likely so, the CSL mates splendidly with the Coincident SET amplifier and speakers as one would expect. The CSL IMO is more nuanced and organically resolved (Jwm pointed this out during the listening session).
Really though the comparisons don't mean much, some will prefer the DUDE and some will choose the Coincident, too many variables of taste and system matching. Abruce went CSL to DUDE, Wilsynet (gon member) went DUDE to CSL. Either will improve the systems they're place in the vast majority of cases. Grannyring and I are both thoroughly happy with our respective preamplifiers. What's better than that? I don't know how one can argue that one is superior to the other under all the multitude of circumstances that exist.
Charles, |
Jwm, the one day my Dude was in Bruce's system the Dude really energized the room and music far beyond what the system was doing before the Dude. But, my Dude is totally tricked out beyond Duelund caps etc...and Bruce has TRL Samson amps. Good synergy perhaps. We did not try his former Lampi direct however. Bruce likes his new L5 direct and I have not toted the Dude over for that comparison as yet.
Bruce perhaps has his own throughs on the two preamps in his home that day. For me the Dude just took the sound to another level.
Like most things, personal preference, gear synergy, atmospheric conditions and a whole bunch of other stuff played a role that day:) |
I heard the Dude in Charles1dad's system against his Coincident preamp. We both thought the dude was good, but not as open and transparent as the coincident. The dude did not have Duelund caps in them. I'm not sure what the caps were and the tubes were not new old stock. |
No time, too busy swapping gear:)
We are 2.5 hours apart so it may take some time before I get down there.
Bruce as heard my Dude in his system already and liked it. I loved it in his system! He has a great system for sure. |
06-20-14: Grannyring
Ok Bruce we will set this up. Coincident is no Dude so what's the result? |
I assumed Madfloyd had his tongue firmly planted in his cheek. That comment was so classically clichéd and tired. |
Madfloyd have you been living under a rock for 20 years? |
sound like a typical tube product - i.e. thick & textured, focusing more midrange than frequency extension? This was the "typical" tube sound of the 1980s .not at all of today's top-perfoming tube products. And no, the Lampi B6 has extension and clarity in the top octaves that is quite impressive .qualities that I have heard many SS DACs not come close to matching. As for the bass, there is plenty of presence and weight in the bass without the "need" for blaring bottom octave output. |
Does the Lampi sound like a typical tube product - i.e. thick & textured, focusing more midrange than frequency extension? |
Note that the BIG7 uses DHT 45s as output and preamp and the VC is only a resister step ladder. 0db is full bypass. Thiness is NEVER an issue with Lampizators as they are the meatiest Dacs
AL just posted this on CA:
AS i have had my B7 for about 4 or 5 days now going 12 hours at 6 and 6 at a time . the pcm is as good or better than my msg stack . as it plays i am in amazement . the presentation is awesome its like hearing your music all over again. my home cpu stinks . and the dsd was good but not giving the wow that the cpm has. so i fired up my iMac and audirvana plus . i put on elvis 57 a dsd download . its only dsd 64 from analog . track 3 it has a simple clapping in left the channel . now clapping is a simple sound but so is a piano and most dacs stink at it this dac is giving me the texture of the hands as they clap. the only time i have heard this is with my msb. this may seem simple but its a milestone . this dac has given me my wow moment. i can hear into the recording so deep that gives me chills of realism . i now have my WOW moment
thanks winson , rob and most of all lukas for this device and at this price its an even better wow for me.
al |
Agear,
Your Lampizator Big7 and Viva SET pairing should really be a standout.If this doesn't make you smile with joy I'll be very surprised.
Charles, |
Passive preamps sound leaner because you are trying the wrong technology. Resistive attenuation is the WRONG solution. Transformer passive or TVC is the RIGHT solution. No leanness there. It only makes sense technically.
BTW, driving DAC to amps directly is the BOMB! However, doing it balanced and using the Final Drive is significantly better for SQ:
http://www.empiricalaudio.com/products/final-drive
Steve N.
Empirical Audio |
The VC is indeed active and not prone to thinness according to many endusers. My experience with passives in the past has been one of thinness as well.
I will be doing these same experiments once I get my L7 as the Viva has a world class active stage and the option of bypassing it... |
However, I think the volume control in Lamp dac is active. I sincerely hope it doesn't have the leaner presentation of passive preamp. It's active and in analog domain. I was wondering why he brought up passive ... he owns a L6 and have no idea what he has. LOL! |
I share the same opinion regarding passive preamp. However, I think the volume control in Lamp dac is active. I sincerely hope it doesn't have the leaner presentation of passive preamp. |
To me passive preamps bring a different perspective in sound. They sound leaner in over all presentation. I can understand why people like this because they think they are getting more resolution. I feel I can get more towards the sound of live music with an active preamp. Yes there are active preamps too that can give you a leaner balance, but my experience has a whole is what I'm talking about. |
Radiohead99 Great score with the Athena's and the 2 box 7. The Athena were my first choice until i accidentally bought another set of speakers.
I think its a great idea to order a dac with volume. It's a pretty cheap option to try and then if it's not better then you can alway use it just as a dac. My L4 had volume and my Big 7 does not. I have been preferring a separate pre. I have recently used a Shindo and now using a Lampizator L5 pre. After getting the Lampizator pre dialed in with a new set of Mullard tubes I have not found the need to go back to the Shindo. And i love the Shindo. Doesn't make sense that adding a whole other component would make the sound better, but to me it does. |
Shootouts are fun but really don't "prove" anything.Bruce's impression may nod toward direct approach and Bill hears improvement with a preamp added to the chain. Ultimately only confirming personal taste, still fun to do however with both listeners present together
Charles, . |
Ok Bruce we will set this up. |
|
Got my two box level7 last night. Too bad that I can't use it yet as I don't have a speaker. Waiting for Lou to finish the Daedalus Athena. Couple of more weeks I guess.
I sold my preamp to fund my recent acquisitions (TRL ST100 amp). I exchanged some messages on audiocircle with a member who sold his Coincident line stage as he felt his lamp level5 with VC is better. Good thing is that my level7 has a remote volume control. If it's really as good as the feedbacks I've received, I wouldn't need a preamp anymore. :D
|
Congrats to you Abruce. Hearing is indeed believing. This should be very interesting.... |
06-18-14: Fluffers
Anyone have a Lampi with the Volume control??- Curious as to how it would compare to a hi-end Preamp- If it works then it would simplify a system but do not see how it best a hi end preamp- Please let me know your thoughts- thanks T I demo L4 w/volume several years ago and prefer going through a Shindo pre. It all depends on the quality of your pre. |
Ok, coming up with the Dude for a shootout! I need to hear to believe. Lets do it! |
The Coincident Statement and the TRL DUDE are very highly regarded tube line stages.I personally have yet to hear a DAC with VC direct to amplifier sound better than high quality preamplifiers (especially long term). I do acknowledge that we as individuals do hear things quite differently, thus the many choices available in the marketplace. Congratulations Abruce and enjoy!
Charles, |
Bruce,
Glad you posted this as I'm getting ready to order a TRL Samson for one of my own rigs to be driven by a Big 7 w/ VC.
FWIW, a good friend of mine sold his DUDE last week in favor of running his Big 7 direct to TRL amp... |
I don't need one, you need to hear the Big5 straight to the amps, it is so much better then the 4 |
Bruce, what about a Dude in your future:) |
I have a Lampi Big5 with VC, I sold my Coincident Speaker Tech Statement Line Stage, and like the sound I'm getting straight to my TRL Samson's |
Anyone have a Lampi with the Volume control??- Curious as to how it would compare to a hi-end Preamp- If it works then it would simplify a system but do not see how it best a hi end preamp- Please let me know your thoughts- thanks T |
L7 review:
http://hifipig.com/lampizator-level-7-dac/ |
L4 review at PFO
http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue73/lampizator.htm |
