Golden Gate DAC arrives.

[bonzo75]

Hi Kedar, yes the St Matthews passion is a stunning piece of music. In the Netherland we (also) have a tradition of performances around Easter. Although not lately I have been attending these performances for many years. In particular the arias are huntingly beautiful.

Using the second in line Shun Mook feet. What went wrong in your view with the Ultra Shun Mook feet under the Golden Gate dac?

Using the Tara top of the line pc is not that easy in my LA set up because I bought this pc with an USA plug (Tara prefers them with these plugs) while I am using only Schuko powerstrips; so I need to insert another powerstrip. Not done this yet.

Dunno, it can sound muddied and slow. If that is not happening to you then it's fine. Next time I send my dac back, I am going to have the feet taken off - I had asked for that when I first ordered it but heh, got lost in translation. The feet are sh*t.

I also bought the Ivan Fisher Channel classics Mahler 3 for demo purposes. Though based on youtube I prefer Barbirolli for the music on Mahler 3. Bernstein is also good.

 

[LL21]

Great discussions going on here.

- We just did live St. Matthews in Budapest on Easter Holiday weekend.
- Definitely like \Mahler 2 by Fischer...and have all of his other Mahlers...\Mahler 5 Barbirolli is my favorite followed by Fischer 2 and i think 8.
- someday will try out some of these Audio Refine fuses.

Audiocrack - where would you start first in my system? Zanden? Have you changed the fuses in the Zanden?

 

[bonzo75]

Great discussions going on here.

- We just did live St. Matthews in Budapest on Easter Holiday weekend.
- Definitely like \Mahler 2 by Fischer...and have all of his other Mahlers...\Mahler 5 Barbirolli is my favorite followed by Fischer 2 and i think 8.
- someday will try out some of these Audio Refine fuses.

Audiocrack - where would you start first in my system? Zanden? Have you changed the fuses in the Zanden?

Have you heard Mahler 3 barbirolli?

 

[Legolas]

Great discussions going on here.

Zanden? Have you changed the fuses in the Zanden?

I fitted AMR fuses in my Audio Note DAC 5, and it was an obvious improvement. Also the same thing in my KGSShv Carbon Stax amplifier.

 

[Audiocrack]

Great discussions going on here.

- We just did live St. Matthews in Budapest on Easter Holiday weekend.
- Definitely like \Mahler 2 by Fischer...and have all of his other Mahlers...\Mahler 5 Barbirolli is my favorite followed by Fischer 2 and i think 8.
- someday will try out some of these Audio Refine fuses.

Audiocrack - where would you start first in my system? Zanden? Have you changed the fuses in the Zanden?

Hello Lloyd,

Yes I inserted the Audio Refine fuse in both Zanden units. Although maybe not as profound as with my Kondo preamp the differences were significant. Lowering the noisefloor gives you the impression of more power and openness. But more importantly (for me): the Audio Refine fuse adds - whats in a name - more refinement and 'realness'.

 

[LL21]

Hello Lloyd,

Yes I inserted the Audio Refine fuse in both Zanden units. Although maybe not as profound as with my Kondo preamp the differences were significant. Lowering the noisefloor gives you the impression of more power and openness. But more importantly (for me): the Audio Refine fuse adds - whats in a name - more refinement and 'realness'.

Fantastic...will investigate! Thanks, Audiocrack. It seems like its been ages since we've spoken or emailed. We have a lot of interesting things going on at the firm to thank for that. So all good. Nevertheless, would be great to catch up privately.

 

[Audiocrack]

Fantastic...will investigate! Thanks, Audiocrack. It seems like its been ages since we've spoken or emailed. We have a lot of interesting things going on at the firm to thank for that. So all good. Nevertheless, would be great to catch up privately.

Just try out these fuses, Lloyd. Big chance that you will be very pleasantly surprised.

Making progress with the systems but I am not (fully) there yet.

And yes, let's indeed catch up on short notice Lloyd.

 

[Audiocrack]

Dunno, it can sound muddied and slow. If that is not happening to you then it's fine. Next time I send my dac back, I am going to have the feet taken off - I had asked for that when I first ordered it but heh, got lost in translation. The feet are sh*t.

I also bought the Ivan Fisher Channel classics Mahler 3 for demo purposes. Though based on youtube I prefer Barbirolli for the music on Mahler 3. Bernstein is also good.

Hi Kedar, which Taralabs pc have you tried with the the GG dac? If I remember correctly you and your friends liked a certain Tata pc in particular.

I have one Tara top of the line Grandmaster pc available albeit with an USA plug. Maybe I have next weekend an opportunity to try this pc out with the GG but somehow I have the feeling this will not be an ideal combination in my set up. I have tried this Grandmaster pc once with another tube unit and was not impressed with the end result. However, the Grandmaster pc proved to be an ideal combi with the Trinity dac.

 

[bonzo75]

Hi Kedar, which Taralabs pc have you tried with the the GG dac? If I remember correctly you and your friends liked a certain Tata pc in particular.

I have one Tara top of the line Grandmaster pc available albeit with an USA plug. Maybe I have next weekend an opportunity to try this pc out with the GG but somehow I have the feeling this will not be an ideal combination in my set up. I have tried this Grandmaster pc once with another tube unit and was not impressed with the end result. However, the Grandmaster pc proved to be an ideal combi with the Trinity dac.

This is the top Tara power cable, not sure of model names, which retails for 20k USD. I don’t think it depends so much on the dac alone as the rest of the system. Your Trinity was in a different system.

The Lampi has always responded positively to the Tara Cobalt and this top of the line one (where the jump from the Cobalt was significant), but I remember once when I tried the Cobalt with Lampi in a SET based horns universum system it did not sound good at all, darkening the sound.

 

[bonzo75]

On a separate note we heard the EML mesh PX4 and compared it to the KR PX4 in dctom’s system. The EML mesh had some musicality due to the way it sustained a note on individual vocals and instruments, but when we put in orchestral it was extremely flat planed compared to the KR, much less separation, dynamics, bass, slam. Then we put in brand new KR 242 and they were a few levels up. A bit hard, probably due to the newness, but the noise floor went so low and we could see through the music. The soundstage would grow huge with the music

 

[Audiocrack]

This is the top Tara power cable, not sure of model names, which retails for 20k USD. I don’t think it depends so much on the dac alone as the rest of the system. Your Trinity was in a different system.

The Lampi has always responded positively to the Tara Cobalt and this top of the line one (where the jump from the Cobalt was significant), but I remember once when I tried the Cobalt with Lampi in a SET based horns universum system it did not sound good at all, darkening the sound.

Ok, thanks.

 

[Audiocrack]

On a separate note we heard the EML mesh PX4 and compared it to the KR PX4 in dctom’s system. The EML mesh had some musicality due to the way it sustained a note on individual vocals and instruments, but when we put in orchestral it was extremely flat planed compared to the KR, much less separation, dynamics, bass, slam. Then we put in brand new KR 242 and they were a few levels up. A bit hard, probably due to the newness, but the noise floor went so low and we could see through the music. The soundstage would grow huge with the music

Do not know if I fully understand you: are you referring to the special and limited edition (and sold out) Emission Labs made 45 mesh valves that Lukasz specially initiated/ordered for the GG? In my set up I prefer these special mesh 45 tubes.

 

[bonzo75]

No now there is another EML Mesh PX4, different from those special 45s.

We already tried the special 45s before in his system, they did not do as well as the KR PX25, similarly to at Christoph's

But recently dctom got his dac adjusted for 242 gain so we tried that and it just zoomed, with the caveat of some hardness that seems to come from being new

 

[Audiocrack]

No now there is another EML Mesh PX4, different from those special 45s.

We already tried the special 45s before in his system, they did not do as well as the KR PX25, similarly to at Christoph's

But recently dctom got his dac adjusted for 242 gain so we tried that and it just zoomed

Ok, clear.

 

[Evo-No-Revo]

I recently bought a used GG. I had it shipped to Lampizator to do upgrades. I then had it shipped to Pink Faun in the Netherlands. PF has my newly completed dual PC servers. We wanted them to dial in the GG with the new servers. I also had Lampizator install an I2s input.

Anyway, one of the PX4 tubes was measured by PF at 48mA. I was told that the other 3 are at 90mA. I was wondering if anyone had a single PX4 they would like to sell?

I am completely new at tubes and don't want to start with all this new equipment and a tube that is not within specs..

 

[bonzo75]

Wow you must be be the first one to get the i2s on a Lampi. Please let us know how it compares to the USB.

Is yours single ended? I would suggest buying a pair, used or new, of KR PX25, special EML Lampi mesh globe anniversary 45 (one of these two sounds better than the other depending on the system) and KR 242 (which if the gain works takes the system to new levels). Get the KR 5u4g recti made for the Lampi.

tubes sell well in the used market so you don't lose much if at all.

Sorry but can't help with single PX4, best is to try KR Audio and give them a number for your tube - they will tell you how to look it up, and get another one made for you. The PX4 are good but not as good as the three above.

 

[wisnon]

I recently bought a used GG. I had it shipped to Lampizator to do upgrades. I then had it shipped to Pink Faun in the Netherlands. PF has my newly completed dual PC servers. We wanted them to dial in the GG with the new servers. I also had Lampizator install an I2s input.

Anyway, one of the PX4 tubes was measured by PF at 48mA. I was told that the other 3 are at 90mA. I was wondering if anyone had a single PX4 they would like to sell?

I am completely new at tubes and don't want to start with all this new equipment and a tube that is not within specs..

Kron should be able to assist you directly.

 

[ferrox]

Guys..I need your help..I have just acquired the Aqua La Diva transport and hook it up to my GG via JPS Aluminata AES / EBU digital cable. But..no sound..silent..I also have JPS Aluminata spdif digital coax..it's working. Question is: is there any incompatibility issue between La Diva and GG or..the pin is switched? I can't recall but I think I have read something about the hot pin which need to be rewired? Thanks a lot..

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Guys..I need your help..I have just acquired the Aqua La Diva transport and hook it up to my GG via JPS Aluminata AES / EBU digital cable. But..no sound..silent..I also have JPS Aluminata spdif digital coax..it's working. Question is: is there any incompatibility issue between La Diva and GG or..the pin is switched? I can't recall but I think I have read something about the hot pin which need to be rewired? Thanks a lot..

I did use my Aqua La Diva into my GG with the 'XLR' AES/EBU. worked fine with standard pin configuration.

there is a toggle to choose the correct input on the back of the GG.

 

[ferrox]

I did use my Aqua La Diva into my GG with the 'XLR' AES/EBU. worked fine with standard pin configuration.

there is a toggle to choose the correct input on the back of the GG.

Yes..my rear toggle switch are: 1 to select between USB and SPDIF..the one one is to select SPDIF and AES/EBU..

I have tried all configurations possible, like doing a puzzle. still no sound when using its AES/EBU input.