Not compared it a/b Lampi and not sure which Lampi I was listening to (at a show) so even if one was better than the other couldn't comment past my own personal choice on the matter.
That being said I would wholehearted recommend the Lampi on the main factor being the lack of USB or DSD support. While I don't subscribe to DSD being anything but a convenience given the amount of DSD albums available it does offer the latest technology. Theta despite innovating the outboard DAC movement has failed to keep up with the times even with inputs.
That being said I would wholehearted recommend the Lampi on the main factor being the lack of USB or DSD support. While I don't subscribe to DSD being anything but a convenience given the amount of DSD albums available it does offer the latest technology. Theta despite innovating the outboard DAC movement has failed to keep up with the times even with inputs.
Or you go with the Theta and convert DSD to PCM. Here is what someone with an older Theta wrote:
"I'll stick with my 20 year old ladder DAC by converting DSD to PCM. The Theta (playing DSD converted to PCM) sounds better than the Loki, or any DSD capable DAC I've tried, and I've tried lots including some multi kilo-buck DSD DACs."
Or you go with the Theta and convert DSD to PCM. Here is what someone with an older Theta wrote:
"I'll stick with my 20 year old ladder DAC by converting DSD to PCM. The Theta (playing DSD converted to PCM) sounds better than the Loki, or any DSD capable DAC I've tried, and I've tried lots including some multi kilo-buck DSD DACs."
I tend to agree, but having said that, many here swear by PCM upsampled to DSD particularly in the lamp Big 7 and GG using the chip less FPGA. Supposed to beat the PCM R-2R board in the same DAC.