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    The Computer Audiophile

    Living with Lampis

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    Please enjoy this terrific article by member of the CA Community, Steven Rowan.

     

    In my 40 years plus of audiophile life, it's not often that I have discovered, listened to, purchased, and lived with a family of electronics, that have transformed my listening room as I thought only a multi thousand plus turntable, tone arm, and Koetsu cartridge could do. In my experience only a top rated analog system had the power, realism, and magic to enthrall one into believing they are at a live event instead of sitting in their listening room. Of course the digital siren had tried to dethrone my analog rig but couldn't quite succeed. Such contenders as Yamaha, Oppo, Theta, PS Audio and even the legendary Mark Levinson Reference Digital products were quite moving and enjoyable and had tried to supplant my record spinner but couldn't quite close the gap. Until now. And this is how it went down.

     

    Even though I loved my analog rig, I couldn't quite resist digital, computers, and iPads. Soon I'd added a PS Audio PWD II to my system and I was in business. I thought it sounded great. Not quite up to my analog rig but quite good. An audiophile friend of mine came to listen several times and liked it, but not as well as something he kept referring to as a "Lampizator". He in fact owned a Lampizator 4 and something called a TranspOrt that didn't play silver discs. I went to hear it. We owned the same speakers, Legacy Focus SEs. Jim challenged me to bring over the PWD II for a direct comparison. I dropped off the PWD for Jim to listen to for a couple of days. My turn came soon. Jim was playing the PWD when I arrived. But his system didn't sound the same as usual. So we switched to the Lampi 4. After listening for a few moments my comment, "Is the PWD broke?"

     

    Of course it wasn't. It was then that I realized how really great Jim's system sounded. I knew what he'd been talking about. I'd been Lampizitized.

     

    A quick Google search and I was reading all I needed to discover the story of Lukasz Fikus, what a Lampizator was, DACS made in Poland, vacuum tubes, Levels 4, 5, and 6, TranspOrts that didn't play silver discs, and sound that easily rivaled my analog rig. Quite an education. I had to have one. On the hunt. Found a source, Fred Ainsley, part of the dynamic duo of Lampizator NA who soon pointed me in the direction of a Level 5.

     

    Did I tell you that each DAC is custom ordered with features you select? Inputs, outputs, SPDIF, XLR, BNC, Dueland or Jupiter capacitors, USB, and something called DSD. Wow. I couldn't wait for my L5 to arrive. Endless patience and debates on the features of the DAC with Fred. About a month later Fred is ringing and the DAC will be delivered by DHL in a couple of days!

     

     

    The Level 5

    My L5 was a two box design with a separate dual mono power supply connected to the DAC box with an industrial sized umbilical cord connecting the two chassis. It was outfitted with a pair of double Dueland capacitors for the output stage, USB, XLR, and RCA digital inputs, a custom module for DSD playback, and a preamp with a remote to perform both volume duties and the switching of digital inputs. The preamp feature is about a $500 option which enables one to stay seated while switching inputs as well as replacing a tube preamp if needed.

     

    I picked up Lampi at DHL, drove him home, and hooked him up after careful box inspection, reading the directions, dusting, picture taking, and downloading the USB driver.

     

    Then I hooked up all the connections and fired him up. Blast off. OMG. Sound, no wait music, arriving at my ears in a rhythmic, melodic pulse. It was apparent that the Lampizator Level 5 is an altogether different beast than the Level 4. Jim arrived soon with his TranspOrt. A few connections, and while jRiver loads the library, we go to lunch. Can't wait to get back home.

     

    Home. Then the music starts, we first play music via USB, incredible. Even after only warming up for about an hour, the L5 has leapfrogged over the Level 4, which was so far in turn above the PWD to make it sound like a toy. My friend Willie came over as well and we were all three amazed. It was like a whole new system. The Focus SEs were transformed into something I'd never heard before.

     

    Next step, listen to Lampi as a preamp and take mine out of the system. Well maybe some trade offs, maybe, but then the circuit starts to warm. Oh my gosh, I can't stand it . . . Then ding dong, I've stayed up all night listening and my ride is here to take me to visit my relatives in Florida . . . Switch to continuous break in cd . . .

     

    Home at last. The L5 sounds more and more awesome and it's reputation grows. Two friends and a dealer who has Audionote DACs and Clarus Crimson cables came over last night to hear the L5.

     

    Well let me put it this way no one even wanted to try the Audionote out after they heard the Lampi! We played CDs, High Res computer files, and finally DSD. Just after they all swore it was the best DAC they ever heard, and were filled with amazement, I told them about DSD. They had never heard DSD before and were plenty skeptical. How could it sound any better? Then I played the first cut from the Opus 3 DSD Showcase 128. Their jaws dropped in collective amazement!

     

    While we were listening we slowly inserted Dave's Clarus Crimson cables into the system. All the cables had been used in Dave's system so they were broken in. The first was their USB cable, I had just been using a generic USB from a printer until I decided what to buy. The insertion of the Clarus Crimson USB cable into the system was a revelation. As great as the L5 sounded, that one cable caused another two fold leap in sound quality. Next we inserted a Clarus component power cord into the L5. Another step up. Then finally it was time for the $2400 Clarus Crimson top of the line balanced interconnect. All I can think is WOW, I never thought my system could ever sound like this.

     

    Pee in your pants good!

     

    All the wiring changes occurred while and during playback of everyone's favorite music. Then like I described, it was time for DSD.

     

    My love affair with the Lampi L5 continued for about 9 months. I can truthfully say my analog rig gathered dust. Lampizator DACs, TranspOrts, JRiver, an iPad, and instant access to your entire music collection are addictive and far more seductive than cleaning LPs and adjusting the table, tone arm and cartridge for analog playback. And what do you know, I soon developed a love/hate relationship with building and fine tuning an Audio PC with jPlay, the AudiophileOptimizer, linear power supplies, SSD, RAM caches, etc. That is a story for another day.


     

    Too soon I read rumors about a new Lampi DAC, the Level Seven, with 4 tubes sticking from the top two normal sized tubes and two gigantor DHT

    tubes only used in power amplifiers. I was skeptical. How could anything sound better than the L5? I spoke with Fred. He assured me the Level 7 did. I read, I schemed, and plotted. Before I knew it, my Level 5 was listed on Audiogon and USA Audiomart. I had a few nibbles, but about the time buyers became serious my father who battles Parkinson's every day was wounded by the scourge and suffered a broken hip at 86 years young. Of course all thoughts of stereo and L7s went out the door. Sales inquiries went cold. The Audiogon ad expired. (Not without certain suspicions by the good folks at Audiogon.) But Spring arrives, dad survives, and things settle down. My stereo system still sounds great. Another month goes by and an email appears from USA Audiomart. I have a buyer for the L5. Money arrives, Fred is called, money departs via PayPal, and Lukasz is building me a new DAC.

     

     

    The Lampizator Transports

     

    I think I should mention a couple of other Lampizator products. Lukasz has created two TranspOrts. The USB TranspOrt and the Squeezebox TranspOrt. You'd think they would play silver discs of some sort. But they don't.

     

    The one I own is the USB TranspOrt. It is really a USB to SPDIF converter. One simply connects the USB out from your PC into the USB TranspOrt. Then a tube circuit only Lukasz could design converts the USB to SPDIF via vacuum tube. Lukasz customizes its outputs to suit your needs. You can choose between SPDIF, XLR, RCA, or Toslink outputs to your DAC. If you like jRiver and want to experiment with jPlay, AudiophileOptimizer, DSP, Windows Server 2012, then this is the one to buy. Unfortunately it will not play DSD just PCM resolutions up to 24/192.

     

    The other option is the Squeezebox TranspOrt. I'm very familiar with it as well even though I don't own one. One of my best friends, Jim does and I've listened to it in both of our systems. If you owned a Squeezebox system and are a fan you're in good hands. Basically Lukasz takes a Squeezebox Duet receiver pulls it apart, improves the circuit, adds linear power supplies, adds a tube or two, and encloses it in a LampizatOr style box. You can still use the Squeezebox controller to play and access your music collection. Or you can buy the ultimate interface, an iPad and the fantastic iPeng app. Hook up a NAS to store your music, install the Squeezebox software and you have a music server without a computer. Once again you have your choice of outputs to connect your DAC. Sound wise this system can go head to head with any Windows based system I've heard.

     

    Do you need a TranspOrt to enjoy your Lampi DAC? No, but include either one of the TranspOrts in your system and your stereo becomes even more mesmerizing. Adding a Lampi TranspOrt to your system has no downside, only a slight dent in your pocket book. After the first listening session your ears will repeat endlessly until you give in,"You really don't have to eat or vacation, just buy the TranspOrt." I checked on the Lampizator website. It looks like Lukasz is getting ready to build a new series of music servers. I'll be sure to update this article if I ever get to hear one.

     

     

    The Big 7 Arrives

     

    
It was with bated breath and much anticipation that I waited to hear news the my Big 7 was on its maiden voyage to the USA and my home. I couldn't wait to compare it to my fully broken in PS Audio Direct Stream that many audiophiles have been salivating over. As one read the reviews for the DS one would think it was able to part the ocean. Well . . .

     

    The PS Audio Direct Stream is a great DAC. Please don't allow my comments to lead you to think I don't like it. I do. I own and enjoy it too. It was a great buy at the introduced price of $6000. But now it's an incredible deal at $3500 new through dealers on the Internet. As good as it is don't be fooled into thinking its a Lampi beater. A friend commented, "The DS sounds like a great DAC. But the Lampi Big 7 sounds like music!" (And I could easily claim the same for any Lampi DAC I've heard including the Amber. Lukasz Lampizator just gets music right.) And really that's about the best way to put it. The Big 7 with its huge pair of EML 45s sticking from the top is certainly not inexpensive at about $9500 but when compared price wise to top DACs from MBL and DCS it is at least 1/3 of the price. Now I don't own either the MBL or dCS, but I have friends whose ears I trust who do/did own these DACs and claim the Big 7 easily is their rival.

     

    What do I think of the Big 7 and how it compares to DACs I have owned? Let's compare the Big 7 to my Level 5. 
I didn't really think the L5 could be bested. It was the best DAC I've owned. The bass of the L5 was always rock solid, got the beat of the music correct, and never lacked detail. The Big 7 is just better in every way, clarity, rock steady, bass only there when needed, and then look out for thunder. The midrange of the two DACs was very similar. The patented Lampizator sound: open, clear, fast, the Big7 did everything the L5 does but just better. An audiophile owning a Level 4 or 5 could easily believe that the midrange could not be beaten. The DS certainly can't. It didn't take me long to realize that the Big 7 takes the midrange up another notch or 2, 3, 4 . . . You get the picture. The L5 and the treble? The treble of the Big 7 possesses a clarity that might be compared to the L5 like this. The L5 was like looking through slightly tinted glass while the Big 7 is like looking out the window with no glass at all on a clear day. Not in the polluted air of China though. The result? Cymbals that shimmer with just the right amount of sparkle and decay. Voices even when grouped resonate in their own separate space.

     

    Do I love the Big 7? You betcha. Well worth any fine tuning that might need to be performed. It is a complex SOTA design. Like any high performance race car it might develop an issue or two. Even though Lukasz packed mine carefully and sent it out next day air via DHL (like he does for everyone), there was still an issue upon delivery. I just couldn't get it to turn on. A quick text or email to Fred was all it took to get the Lampi guys springing to action. Lukasz even called to help out all the way from Poland. The end result? The Big 7 had to be sent for service here in the states at the Lampizator service and warranty center. I dropped it off at UPS and it was back at my home playing perfectly in just a couple of days. Did I have to pay for shipping? Absolutely not. The guys at Lampizator are dedicated, caring, and could serve as the model for all high end audio boutique businesses to strive for. What else can I say?

     

    Wait a minute! Stop the presses! I forgot to tell you about DSD!

     

    Of course the L5, Big 7, and Perfect Wave Direct Stream all play the standard PCM standards Redbook, 24/48, 24/96, 24/176.5, 24/192 and what's beyond with aplomb. HiRes recordings are not necessary of course but are much like the whip cream on a hot fudge sundae! Who'd want to do without them? Very addicting. The Direct Stream sounds especially good with PCM but surprisingly not quite so good with DSD. A Lampi DAC equipped with DSD is the cherry on top of a giant sundae. Simply breathtaking in realism. Voices just float in their own space. Uncanny comes to mind. I've refrained from discussing specific recordings but I have got to mention one: Elvis Presley: 24 Karat Hits in DSD. Simply put, I've never heard a recording like this. A must have even if you're not an Elvis Fan. Once you've heard Crying in the Chapel, In the Ghetto, or Love Me Tender you are certain to be a DSD fan and once you've heard these tunes on a Lampi DAC you'll be PayPaling the Lampizator guys.

     

     

    The Road to Amber

    After several months I received word that my Big 7 could benefit with some upgrades, so back to Poland it flew. Due to circumstances beyond Fred's

    and Lukasz's control I learned it might be a couple of weeks before the Big 7 would be flying back home. No music. A quick call to Fred and he was telling me about Lukasz's newest creation, the Amber DAC. And Fred agreed to send me the only Amber DAC in the USA to use while the Big 7 was home in Poland for updates and a tuneup.

     

    I was excited to have music at home again but was prepared for disappointment. After the sonic bliss and heights the Big 7 brought to my system, how could this little DAC, the Amber even compare? And what is an Amber DAC?


     

    Here's Amber!


    • LampizatOr hand made DAC.
    • 
Fantastic ESS Sabre reference DAC.

    • DSD and PCM in one package
.
    • Lampizator famous tube output stage.

    • Lampizator tubed power supply.
    • 
Great looking full size chassis which it shares with our Level3.
    • 
Great upgrade path (with chokes and caps).

     

    Pretty good pedigree, right? But how did it sound?

     

    The Amber Fred sent me was equipped with a RCA coaxial input. A simple job to hook up, right? Because of my system, which is equipped and for USB, yes and no. It was easy to connect my Oppo to it via the coaxial out and input. Then I connected the analog outs to my TRL DUDE preamp. Insert a CD into the Oppo, press play and . . . . No sound! Were the amps on? Yep. All cables connected? Yep. Hmm. A quick call to Fred who told me a tube could have come loose in shipping and gave me permission to open the Amber. Yep, sure enough one of the three tubes had wobbled loose. Back in it went. A quick screwing and hookup and . . . Music! Emmy Lou Harris was singing in my room once again. The sound? Surprisingly good for just being turned on. The bass was a little whompy at first, the treble maybe a touch bright, but the Amber clearly possessed the magic realism and midrange that only (in my experience) is the hallmark of a Lampizator DAC. But, you know, I had to get the Amber in

    sync with my tricked out PC. A quick check and yep, my PC does have a coaxial output. I hurriedly made the connection, fired up the trusty iPad, sat in the listening chair, turned out the lights, pointed the remote at the DUDE, selected Emmy Lou and listened to the sweet sound of nothing. Drat. What gives? The simple answer? I don't know. Another one of those arcane PC mysteries that are sometimes unsolvable.

     

    Wait a minute. The doorbell just rang. What's this? My Lampi USB TranspOrt has been delivered by UPS? The wheels turn. Aha! I'll connect the coaxial output of the TranspOrt to the Amber input. That'll do it!

     

    After downloading the EXD driver for the USB TranspOrt and getting Windows 8.1 to approve the unsigned driver, I jRivered the iPad and suddenly there was music. After listening to a few of my favorite cuts, (Emmy Lou Harris, Stevie Wonder, The Decemberists, and Johnny Cash it soon became apparent just how good the Amber DAC was.

     

    When connected to the TranspOrt, Amber displayed sure strutted her stuff. The most objectionable characteristic before with the Oppo was somewhat whompy bass which I had attributed wrongly to Amber. The bass was punchy, well defined and clearly lost the womp. The treble was extended but smooth, and the best part, the Lampizator midrange and realism were right there. Soundstage and imaging were very good but not as vivid as I've heard my system. At this point, the Amber was in my mind really a keeper. One could insert this DAC into any system and it wouldn't be embarrassed.

     

    To me, one hallmark of a well engineered component is its ability to improve as one's system does. The next step: rebooting my PC to my second operating system Windows Server Essentials 2012 r2 along with JRiver, jPlay, and the excellent AudiophileOptimizer. (If you've not heard this combo with a tweaked PC, you owe it to yourself to at least seek out someone in your area and give it a listen.) Would Amber respond? In a word yes, the bass, treble, and midrange became even more refined, and Gadzooks the images floated precisely in their own space, lots of front to back depth, and the soundstage became more transparent.

     

    Ok, so if Amber is this good, is there any reason to seek out a Level 4, 5, 6, or Big 7? Well to be honest, I'm sure the Amber could give the Level 4 a run for its money. The Level 5? Pretty close, but Amber lacks the slam and resolving power the dual mono power supply and boutique parts the Level 5 is powered with. Remember the Level 5 was the most musical DAC I'd heard until the Big 7 experience. The Big 6, aka the Fikus DAC, I can't speak to as I've never heard one. I'd sure like to though (Fred and Lukasz! You listening? Hint, Hint). Ok the Big 7? In a word no, the Big 7 is just over the top. See above.

     

    
I've certainly not heard even a fraction of the DACs available today. But for $2000.00 Amber has to be one of the great buys in audio. I've not even tried tube tolling or inserting an audiophile fuse into it. Why? Just to busy listening.

     

     

    Breaking News!

     

    According to the Lampizator site Amber can now be customized with premium parts like Jupiter and Dueland Caps and other goodies. Plus DSD. Looks like Lukasz just can't help himself.

     

    Hope you enjoyed,

    Thanks for reading,

    Sincerely,


     

    Steven Rowan

     

     

     

     

    The Review System


     

    Music Server(s): Audio PC Zuma Clone

    Music Server Operating System: Windows 7 (64-bit), Windows 8.1 (64-bit), Windows Server 2012 r2


    Software: jRemote, JRiver, jPlay, AudiophileOptimizer, dbPoweramp

    Preferred Digital Interface(s):
USB, AES/EBU (Single Wire), S/PDIF Coaxial (RCA), Ethernet (UPnP/DLNA), Bluetooth

    DAC(s): Lampizator Big7 Gen 5, PS Audio Direct Stream

    Transports: Lampizator USB Transport, Oppo, LG BluRay

    Preamplifier(s): TRL The Dude, Coda CP

    Amplifier(s): 2 CODA CSX 350 Watt Stereo Amps


    Loudspeakers: Legacy Audio Helix and Focus SE (The V arrives in April.)

    Interconnects: Signal Cable Silver

    Resolution XLR
25 foot pair, 10 foot pair, 2 meter pair, 3 1 meter pairs Loudspeaker Cables: Signal Cable Ultra 3 8 foot pairs

    Power Cables: Signal Cable MagicPower PCs, MagicPower Digital Reference, TRL, Running Springs, Transparent, PS Audio, BPT, Clarus Crimson

    Power Conditioning: PurePower 2000 and 3000

    Remote Control(s): iPad Air 2, iPad Mini

    Headphones: Hervic (oldies but goodies)

     

     

    Listening Biases

     

    
I can't say there is any music I don't like to listen to. Of course I'm always a sucker for good female vocalists. Classical, New Age, World, Blues, Ragtime, Country, Jazz, and MoTown they all make an appearance during a listening session at some point. I guess I'm not a big fan of Rap and Hip Hop but some of it really isn't too bad. I have a number of cuts I use for evaluation by such artists as Natalie Merchant, Ricki Lee Jones, Elton John, Louis Armstrong, Elvis, Bjork, Johnny Cash, Prokofiev, Diana Krall, Stevie Wonder, the Chieftans, and many others. If you're interested I can name the tracks I use.

     

     

    Disclaimer: I'm not affiliated or related to the folks at Lampizator in any way. Nor do I profit in any way or accepted any favors or equipment for writing this review. Just a labor of love. Lampi love, that is.

     

     

    Image Gallery

     

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    Yet when I upgrade to OS 10.10, I find my DAC does not work.

     

    All the equipment, all the design, all the EEs, all the sales, marketing and support folks, computer sites, good will, cannot keep my simple system working as I would like.

     

    In short, Computer Audio is for software engineers, lesser mortals enter at their own risk.

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    Very nice reading and an impressive system.

    Is it only me who think the Lampi looks like a badly assembled DIY unit?

    Is this impression wrong?

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    I've had a Lampizator DAC in my system for years - a level 2, to be exact. It was the single most effective upgrade of any addition to my system. Really, it was transformative, and I found my self drifting away, captured by the music. I look forward to moving to the 4s or better soon.

     

    As far as build quality goes, you're looking at a hand assembled unit, with rugged construction quality. Mine arrived via UPS direct from Poland. Plugged it in, turned it on, and I've never had a hint of an issue. I love this piece.

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    I've mostly been a vinyl guy and as much as I enjoy 24:192 PCM it sounds like really good digital (I don't have a BADA or Lampi 7 for PCM), but the Lampi L4 DSD sounds more like clean analog (analog without vinyl noise or pops). The resulting sound is effortless, when used with HQP it just makes you want to turn up the volume.

     

    RBCD through HQP to the Lampi has allowed me to rediscover my CD collection.

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    To me there was two DAC for contention. The Big7 and the Nos 1a.

    I settled for the former due to my love for tube and tube rolling.

    So: My Big7 is simply a gorilla. The DAC is physically huge too.

    As many have said before and some above. The music simply flows effortlessly from this monster.

    Organic sound, very dynamic (Varies based on tube selection). Very transparent and not necessary layered in space (Which is great in my book).

    DSD is supreme with this mama, I am also hugely impressed with the High Rez files played, the PCM is also unsurpassed, so!!

    I could get carrier away with the words about the Lamp. But I need to get back to the music....

     

    Nevertheless, I dont think the Lamp is for many here in CA. Many want their brand names and flowing reviews from glossy pages - not experience from true satisfied owner. Many dont want tubes....fair enough!

     

    I think the Lamp is similar to the Phasure in that regards, only loved by people who own them....

     

    qcqp5T

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    The room looks over-damped. Big disqualifier otherwise interesting piece

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    The room looks over-damped. Big disqualifier otherwise interesting piece

     

    It needs to be as the speakers are dipolar and the rearward radiation should not be audible as reflected energy.

     

    Well written subjective review though.........

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    Very nice reading and an impressive system.

    Is it only me who think the Lampi looks like a badly assembled DIY unit?

    Is this impression wrong?

     

    I agree with your impression as a DIY unit. With the wiring the way it is, I just wonder how consistent a product as far as stability is concerned. Those loose wires are screaming 2PifL and antenna leads. But it uses tubes, who cares what the cabling looks like.

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    Thank you Steven. Well written! Entertaining to read plus in-depth analysis. I have followed the Lampizator progression for a little more than a year. Issues that hold me back from buying Lampizator include reliability, access to USA based support, and a general feeling that there is no set model configuration. I don't know what I would be buying. Is every Lampizator different?

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    Excellent article Steven,

     

    As my friend Byron from St. Charles had mentioned just how enjoyable your system was to me several months ago, I'd almost........, imagine sitting right there alongside you guys during said listening sessions. His words were.......... " VINYL ", as in saying your Lampizator could easily make one think there were actually listening to it, and in my book......, that's saying a great deal, and I love the Dude and Coda gear by the way.

     

    Thanks again for sharing,

    O_o scar

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    The speakers are dipole. At least Helix are. The room is not over damped although I can see from the pictures one might think so. (I can take the absorbers down easily. So I might try and experiment again.) Each piece was painstakingly placed. The wall behind the speakers has both diffusion and bass traps. The traps have sheets of cardboard inside placed across the front. This insures that high frequencies are not absorbed totally by the traps. The primary and secondary reflections on the side walls are a combination of Auralex Merto diffusers with one foot square pieces of Auralex Pyramid absorbers pinned to cancel and diffuse side wall reflections. The reflections points on the ceiling are also a combo of absorption and diffusion. The reflection points on the floor are treated with thick wool carpet. The wall behind the listening chair is solid Auralex Metro diffusers. There is one 6 inch 48 by 24 inch bass trap in each corner with the cardboard inserted as above to stop high frequency absorption. The room has been continuously tuned for 10 years. Of course it could always get better. No one who has listened in the room has commented on it sounding over damped. Voices sound quite natural when spoken. It certainly has been given the ok by a couple of different speaker designers, an acoustician or two, and many friends and audiophiles.

     

    Any audiophiles living in or traveling through are invited to check it out. PM me if interested.

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    Thank you Steven. Well written! Entertaining to read plus in-depth analysis. I have followed the Lampizator progression for a little more than a year. Issues that hold me back from buying Lampizator include reliability, access to USA based support, and a general feeling that there is no set model configuration. I don't know what I would be buying. Is every Lampizator different?

     

    Birddogthecat your concerns are valid, if uninitiated. If I may qualify with my own view.

    1. The Reliability may be an issue. Traditionally Lamp gears have been more of a DIY than corporate models. Now more and more they are heading towards PCB and a more industrial manner of construction. So in that sense this may be good.. Sonically I am not sure if that is better ? If you have problem, you need to go to item 2.

    2. It seems that the local support in most of the countries are quite good, if not fantastic. Not fronted by corporation but brick and mortar establishments, so it may be slow - but more personal. The Warranty is also better than 99.9% of the manufacturers out there.

    3. Yes. The models are being churned up quite a bit. Lamp's DIY background means that they can enhance their product at a whim, only caring about sonic improvements. However of late their models are getting more industrial with PCB etc. So I would think this will start to trickle as design and production will get more slower....Don't forget that Lamp also allows a fairly high level of upgrades to existing products......Which gets to be more economical and customer friendly on the long run...

     

    Lamp is a huge leap of faith. To us who have made this jump, the experience has been amazing and worth it. I need to caveat this and confess using his DAC only, not his Amps....

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    Birddogthecat your concerns are valid, if uninitiated. If I may qualify with my own view.

    1. The Reliability may be an issue. Traditionally Lamp gears have been more of a DIY than corporate models. Now more and more they are heading towards PCB and a more industrial manner of construction. So in that sense this may be good.. Sonically I am not sure if that is better ? If you have problem, you need to go to item 2.

    2. It seems that the local support in most of the countries are quite good, if not fantastic. Not fronted by corporation but brick and mortar establishments, so it may be slow - but more personal. The Warranty is also better than 99.9% of the manufacturers out there.

    3. Yes. The models are being churned up quite a bit. Lamp's DIY background means that they can enhance their product at a whim, only caring about sonic improvements. However of late their models are getting more industrial with PCB etc. So I would think this will start to trickle as design and production will get more slower....Don't forget that Lamp also allows a fairly high level of upgrades to existing products......Which gets to be more economical and customer friendly on the long run...

     

    Lamp is a huge leap of faith. To us who have made this jump, the experience has been amazing and worth it. I need to caveat this and confess using his DAC only, not his Amps....

     

    Well said! The GM-70 amp is getting terrific feedback online...Check audioCircle, for example.

     

    I am awaiting feedback on the new L7 HeadDac, as a pal in the US got the first one made and will let me know ASAP. He has killer HPhones to try as well as Woo/Sennheiser Headamps and some KILLERS Dacs to compare against.

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    I would consider the Lampizator DACs and other products as part of the Audiophile Boutique industry. They may not appeal to everyone. They are not beautiful but they do play music. Lampi DACs do not sound like a DAC. They sound like music. One has to hear one to appreciate what Lukasz has accomplished.

     

    Each DAC is made to order. You can just order for instance a Lampi Level 4. If that's all you ask gore that's what will be delivered. But one can customize your DAC by specifying capacitors including Duelands and Jupiters, your choice of vacuum tubes, and the type and number of inputs and outputs. I have even asked for a blue eye in the LampizatOr instead of the red eye.

     

    The wiring was/is point to point with silver Teflon coated wire. I read of one person whose house was flooded and the Lampi DAC fully submerged. Lukasz told the man to just let it dry out a few days. The customer did so and was astounded to find the DAC still powered on and played music files just as well as before. I'll find the link for those wanting to read the story.

     

    The new Gen 5 series of DACs has moved to a circuit board model to allow quicker build times, consistency in build, which may or may not sound better than the models before.

     

    If one wants a polished commercial DAC then buy an Ayre, PS Audio Direct Stream, Audio Research etc. They will provide you with great sound and maybe fewer headaches. Of course they are works of audio art and one pays a premium price for them. Try ordering an ARC product with Dueland capacitors.

     

    My system has never sounded like it does until I purchased a TRL Dude preamp and the Lampi DACs. Both of which come from the hand built boutique side of the audiophile world. In my experience while they do provide truly state of the art sound at a fraction of the price that the big guys do one does give up the sleek audio jewelry look. In all fairness I do love the looks of ARC, Pass Labs, PS Audio, Mark Levinson, Boulder, etc. However once the lights are out and music starts I don't care it doesn't matter what it looks like.

     

    I remember being very very skeptical when I first saw the products myself.

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    I'm using a two box level 7 Lampizator dac (with volume control) and TRL ST-100 amplifer. I'm hearing the best sound by far in my listening space. Every time I'm away from home, I look forward to coming home and listen to my music.

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    That's what I've been doing wrong all these years! I never dusted my equipment before I played it :-) :-) :-)

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    I'm using a two box level 7 Lampizator dac (with volume control) and TRL ST-100 amplifer. I'm hearing the best sound by far in my listening space. Every time I'm away from home, I look forward to coming home and listen to my music.

     

    Is your new wife privy to your priorities?

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    Agree on the leap of faith, though I expect the best. Ordered a Lampi Amber this morning. Thanks

     

    Birddogthecat your concerns are valid, if uninitiated. If I may qualify with my own view.

    1. The Reliability may be an issue. Traditionally Lamp gears have been more of a DIY than corporate models. Now more and more they are heading towards PCB and a more industrial manner of construction. So in that sense this may be good.. Sonically I am not sure if that is better ? If you have problem, you need to go to item 2.

    2. It seems that the local support in most of the countries are quite good, if not fantastic. Not fronted by corporation but brick and mortar establishments, so it may be slow - but more personal. The Warranty is also better than 99.9% of the manufacturers out there.

    3. Yes. The models are being churned up quite a bit. Lamp's DIY background means that they can enhance their product at a whim, only caring about sonic improvements. However of late their models are getting more industrial with PCB etc. So I would think this will start to trickle as design and production will get more slower....Don't forget that Lamp also allows a fairly high level of upgrades to existing products......Which gets to be more economical and customer friendly on the long run...

     

    Lamp is a huge leap of faith. To us who have made this jump, the experience has been amazing and worth it. I need to caveat this and confess using his DAC only, not his Amps....

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    Is your new wife privy to your priorities?

     

    lol, yes Andrew! I've her full support as long as its my final system.

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    I have been playing with lampi,s for while now. Aside from tube rolling the overall sound is very plesent. It's texture and clarity as well are just where it starts to be great . I have compared the B7 I own to many dacs I have tried . As there is no best it certainly is a top favorite. In fact so much it's about all,I use . I have recently had the pleasure of trying there new head dac . A big 7 dac and his headphone amp version in one box. As well as having a couple of speaker systems I am a daily user of headphones and ciem,s. The amp of the head dac beat out every amp I had

    and it rolls tubes. Just about any kind I have or could think of. All in all. I am glad lampi is picking up as top level dac . It deserves to be in my rooms weather headphones or speakers .

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