BayStBroker

Talk about cheaper, the option of Atlantic base model DSD512 only at 4,000 euros is a steal if you agree that the chipless DSD512 engine is where you get the best sound.

Sorry, no. My Aurender is sitting idle while I use a MacBook Pro to run Tidal via Audirvana 3.0 to upsample the signal to DSD128. I'm not happy about using a std "computer" either, but for now that is the price of admission to Lampi DSD512-land. And Lampi DSD512-land is a good place to be.

Not for same price like silicon rectifier base model; at least not on order form. But if you asked, I don't see why Lukasz would refuse. If you pay for the tube recti, it should be no skin off their backs to let you choose DSD512 only (no PCM at all). According to order form though, you can get SS recti DSD512 only for 4,000 euros but a tube recti with DSD512 option added (like mine) starts at 6500. In hindsight, I would've gotten with 4,000 euro base model DSD- only.

Yes, well if you use it for A/V then you will of course need PCM. The DSD512 engine sounds "better" than the chip-based PCM/DSD256 engine in two ways. The first is that it simulates more completely the analogue experience in which one is frequently astonished by the "in the room" realness of the presentation. Another way it is "better" is that way in which it seems a layer of veil has been removed from the recording. This is most evident in the upper mids and high frequencies, which are natural, emotionally present, and uncannily human to a degree I've never heard from digital. You are closer to the master tape, pure and simple. And my whole point is that a buyer can have this performance for the base model price if he chooses DSD512 only. Originally, Lukasz did not offer DSD512 to Atlantic buyers "at this price point." Then he made it available, even to base model buyers.

I am telling you that the chipless DSD512 engine is not only worthy of adding as an upgrade, it is worth forgoing PCM entirely in order to have. Lampizator is justifiably pleased to market their R2R engine which plays mixed PCM and DSD playlists without manual adjustment. It sounds spectacular. But the chipless DSD512 engine sounds way better. Since you already have your Atlantic, I would add the DSD512 engine before I added the superclocks to the standard engine. To be clear, the DSD512 engine sounds far superior when playing even regular DSD64 files. With the DSD512 engine, you don't even want to use the R2R chip engine.

There is a great opportunity right now for aspirational audiophiles to get elite D/A conversion performance at a mainstream price. You may have heard good things about the Lampi Atlantic. Yes, the sound is incredibly lifelike, detailed and musical. The cheap model starts at 4,000 Euros. The main sacrifice of the base model is the use of solid-state rectification instead of tube, which if you ask me is no biggie. But for the SAME entry price a buyer can elect to receive the DSD-only version, which features the chipless DSD512 engine. And that is the option that will ratchet the performance into elite class for whoever buys it. I have a deluxe Atlantic Plus with R2R for PCM and an optional DSD512 engine. After a few weeks the DSD512 engine is the only one I'm using. It sounds magnificent, and is miles ahead of the R2R engine (or any PCM I've heard.) Since the new Audirvana 3.0 allows me to stream Tidal upconverted to DSD, it is a simple matter to dispense with PCM altogether. Note that I'm streaming DSD128 to the Lampi DSD512 engine. I haven't even heard what authentic 512 sounds like. The chipless DSD512 engine handles all DSD with breathtaking effect. If I had it to do over again I would have bought the DSD512 only base model and saved nearly half of my money. Guys, trust me, you gotta hear this DAC!

I'm looking for someone in Toronto who is very savvy with HQPlayer, Roon, Tidal, and NAS drives used with Mac OS X to help me with some setup issues. Specifically I want to configure my Macbook Pro to use Roon w/ HQ Player to upconvert Tidal to DSD 512 to feed to my DAC. Offering $70/hr. Please private message me.

Patagent makes a lot of sense. I would second the view that used equipment is worth seeking. There is a definite ecosystem in audio that involves gear swapping and upgrading. Lots of quality stuff hits the used market. And most enthusiasts take care of their gear (including speakers).

I want to stream Tidal in a way that will convert incoming FLAC files to DSD to feed to my Lampizator DAC. I was misinformed (I think) when I was told that Roon can do this conversion to DSD on the fly by itself. I'm led now to believe that I'd need to involve HQplayer and that the coordination of Roon and HQplayer is for audiophiles with advanced computer skills. Can someone confirm this (in effect, that Roon alone won't do the job)?

Yes, I think you are right that it is the opposite. It isn't the Mac bc the hum is there without the Mac. I think it is the DAC. I wonder if there isn't a grounding issue for the power circuit that the DAC and AMP are connected to. The Mac charger is a different outlet/circuit. When I connect the USB from Mac to DAC and connect the power charger to the (outside circuit) outlet, hum disappears. This doesn't happen with my pre-amp (which is being serviced).

When I connect my Mac Pro to my Aurelic Vega DAC by USB, I usually get great results. But I just noticed that if I disconnect the Mac's power cord/charger I get a loud hum through the speakers. (At present I have the DAC driving my tube amp directly (bypassing the pre-amp).) I'm guessing this is the Mac Pro's battery making the hum because it doesn't have a connection to the ground through the attached power cord? Is it seeking ground through my USB cable and creating the noise that way? When I reattach the power (charger) cord, the hum stops. Do others experience this? (BTW, I don't recall if this happened with a pre-amp in place.)

Running my Aurelic Vega with digital volume control direct to my power amp is a bust. Very MP3ish and no bass. Black Sabbath in DSD sounds like 128k Napster circa 1998. Of course, the attenuation level to run direct is very high, so I shouldn't be surprised. I normally rely on the mechanical stepped (Shalco) attenuator on my preamp, which is currently being serviced. I would not consider this acceptable for an extended period of time.

Adding the Vega is the single most transformative upgrade of my audio journey so far. Bob Dylan in DSD from this device is the platonic ideal of realism. They will have to pry this DAC from my cold dead fingers!

Sometimes I experience an irritating crackling in the background when running Amarra with Tidal. It doesn't happen all of the time, but when it does it is awful. The only solution is to close Amarra. Has anyone else had this problem? It appears that Amarra is producing a "for Tidal" version. Perhaps it will work more seamlessly?

After a few months of running Tidal off of my iPhone streaming by Airplay to an Apple TV feeding my DAC via Toslink, I bought a Mac Pro. The sound from a hardwired USB connection is many magnitudes superior to Airplay/Toslink connection. In addition, the Airplay connection had a tendency to be inconsistent. It would drop out and stutter at times. God forbid somebody run the microwave. By contrast, the USB connection from MacBook is flawless. BUT, the old method didn't require a computer. Too bad it doesn't work very well.