2. digital
  3. 175000-68132

The New Lampizator Horizon DAC

On Saturday, I was lucky enough to be invited to the unofficial launch of the all-new Lampizator Horizon DAC in Los Angeles.  I have a Pacific and love it but I was intrigued to experience whether the Horizon was that much better.  So, My wife and I drove the 6 hours from Arizona to attend.  

The event had about 18 people in attendance and featured Lukasz Fikus, the owner and brains behind Lampizator.  We had a 5-hour listening session which included direct A/B comparisons between the Pacific and the Horizon, operating the Horizon without a preamp, and finally tube rolling.

My impressions were the Lampizator created a DAC that could change people's minds on comparing digital to vinyl,  The amount of detail, smoothness, clarity, speed was incredible.   For those interested in tube rolling the options are almost endless and I heard firsthand many different tube combinations which changed the SQ of the music.  Finally, at the end of the session, we ran the Horizon without a preamp.  The preamp used in the system was Lamm and the whole system was well over $700k.  So we are talking about a very high-end component grouping.   IMO, the Horizon DAC delivered about 95% of the sound without a Preamp.  It was super hard to discern any differences in SQ.

This DAC was so good that I ended up ordering one.  For anyone going to the Tampa Audio show, Lukasz Fikus will be there to officially launch the Horizon to the world this weekend.  It is definitely worth a listen.

 

willgolf

Showing 8 responses by ghasley

ghasley
2,533 posts
 

Congrats! That should be a fun addition.

 

I don't have a Lampizator but I have heard several versions in different systems and they are exceptional at each pricepoint. Enjoy.

 

I don't really understand why some in our community are quick to criticize a piece of gear that they haven't heard as being of poor value or it can't possibly be that good. It happens in every market segment I guess but it amuses me that some draw a price line where anything spent above that amount proves the buyer must be foolish. Please, and this goes for all of us whether we buy inexpensive or expensive gear, stop overlaying your value analysis on others...its unfair.

 

 

ghasley
2,533 posts
 

@tsushima1

Are you being serious !?!? Calling out folks who might not even earn $50K a year penny pinchers for expressing their view …

A couple of observations that I hope are taken in context and with respect.

 

$50 grand isn’t what it used to be. Full time, that’s about $24 per hour with no OT. Where I live, dishwashers start above that rate.

 

Second observation, its seems pretty clear to me that the OP wasn’t engaged in a look at me kind of move...in fact, he probably wasn’t seeking pricing input from anyone, whether they make $50k/yr or $5million/yr.

 

It seems quite obvious that someone spending this amount on a dac isn’t asking for anyone’s financial advice, let alone a financial opinion....on an audio site....from anonymous posters.

 

 

ghasley
2,533 posts
 

Just under 50,000 Euros I believe.

ghasley
2,533 posts
 

@rixthetrick VERY well said…I still remember twenty or so years ago going to demo a flat panel television and when my wife overheard it was $20k she started crying, knowing all too well that I had likely already done the deal and that I was just trying to get her buyin. LOL. I hadnt and I didnt.

ghasley
2,533 posts
 

@havocman 

 

Your value analysis wasn't asked for and, based on your post, the OP had premonitions as to why not.

 

Seriously, it's not anyone's place to determine value other than buyer and seller. Thankfully, amazing products developed at a pricepoint many of us can't or won't consider do trickle down into products that we will consider. It's all good. 

ghasley
2,533 posts
 

@tsushima1 

 

LOL....so are you in that camp? Where its cool to snipe a thread on a high end audio site where generally speaking, most items discussed are variations of questionable value to those who either don't understand the topic or won't or can't spend the requisite cost of entry? Especially posting when the OP communicated that value input wasn't solicited?

ghasley
2,533 posts
 

@tsushima1

 

At what price for a piece of gear is it no longer ok to post a thread and discuss? I believe I already commented on the $50k/yr earlier in the thread. I’m sorry if someone’s disposable income doesn’t meet their desires. Where is the line though? Are we not to discuss $25k gear because someone may not make $25k/yr? $10k?

 

The "penny pinching" comment may have been an attempt at humor by that poster and it might have struck some as insensitive but audio gear at every pricing strata is a luxury, not basic sustenance. Everyone on Audiogon has either been fortunate financially to varying degrees OR they have made decisions to do without some things in order to afford other things.

ghasley
2,533 posts
 

@tsushima1 

 

Exactly so … My own DAC ‘s RRP is in excess of the latest greatest LampizatOr 

DAC … however unlike some I don’t feel the need to mention RRP’s 

Doubtful, but since most people don’t care what someone may or may not have nor what they paid, this is just a thread to discuss a particular dac, not an imaginary one.

More to discover