Are you saying that the Lampizator output at 0dB is just 300mV?
No, thats from the Lampi spec sheet, quoted as "Absolute maximum signal volume"
Edit: As measured with KR 45 output tubes, and EML 5U4G recti in place.
Are you saying that the Lampizator output at 0dB is just 300mV?
(...) The gain and impedance match is causing more acceptance and rejection than the tube flavor. The tube flavor is second,
No, thats from the Lampi spec sheet, quoted as "Absolute maximum signal volume"
Edit: As measured with KR 45 output tubes, and EML 5U4G recti in place.
Thanks - maximum signal volume is just 0 dB. This means that output has a very low amplitude for a digital device - 16.5dB bellow standard.
What does that work out at for the balanced outputs then, at 600mV?
We are filled with passion and do get on each other’s nerves. Having said that there are two paths to Audio euthpia and measuring alone is not one of them.
Can you explain what is the "gain and impedance match"?
I gave that some slack in my later post as you have probably read... but to suggest that the 242 is killer above all is unrealistic, I say without having ever tried it. But I have been valve rolling for decades Norman... it is going to be hard to surprise me. I am currently running about 30 valves in total in my system.
I do however accept that some people really, really like it. Fair enough
Thanks - maximum signal volume is just 0 dB. This means that output has a very low amplitude for a digital device - 16.5dB bellow standard.
IMHO it should still considered low. Many balanced DACs have between 3 and 4.5V output.
If the Lampi locks on to the pre, the drive and swing of the system increases fantastically. Otherwise it just sounds wimpy or harsh.
This can change as you roll tubes with the same pre, or roll preamps as well. The 242 has high gain so to fit it in, your Lampi might have to be sent back and the gain lowered, depending on system
So, I might think AR Ref 10 is the best pre, but Ime, it does not work well with 242 but does with the special 45s. So a proper choice will be Lampi.242 and a pre it works with, vs special 45s and AR Ref 10 , even if the other pre with other sources is not as good as the AR.
I don't know why these things happen. When I say I compared a Lampi to another dac and Lampi was better, that is because I take these valves along, and change to fit. The other dac can't change, it's static. It is not the flavor, but firing the right valve will drop noise floor, increase stage and decay, bass, dynamics, and drive
OK, quick update - either putting XLR attenuators inline at the output of the DAC, or engaging headroom management in Roon (-9dB cut), both stop the distortion. So I guess it’s overloading the input on the ML 585 as suspected. Given the max input voltage on the ML 326S that I will be reverting to eventually is more than x2.5 higher (5.5v vs 13.2v) - I’m going to hope I should be able to use the 242’s without an issue and without the headroom management engaged, once I swap to the 326S?
Thanks. This type behavior is the last thing I would call "gain and impedance match". Gain and impedance match are technical aspects not subjective findings. IMHO people are trying to put some systematics in a process that is purely chaotic.
Justin, you preferred the Amperex for your system in your amp. You, Mark, I, Rob, preferred the Amperex in two amps at Mark's place. No doubt for anyone. Slam dunk.
With 242 you will have similar unanimity. Caveat is it needs to work. I told you, do a trip down to Wales. Or, travel to Liechtenstein, also a great place for a weekend with the wife, and listen to 242 and scintillas.
But till then, You can have 20 more years of experience, what's the point of guessing if you haven't heard the product workinG? You can of course fill in for Keith Purite whom I sorely miss. The tube is worth the chase for a digital based system with a Lampi. Also please appreciate we all have much more advanced models of the Lampi.
There seems to be unanimity in the 242, special 45, PX25 / PX4 hierarchy where it works. Each time someone says he isn't liking one of those tubes, it is actually not working properly in his system. It is either sounding wimpy, flabby, too harsh, etc
There are newer tubes now that I haven't investigated.
The gain and impedance match is causing more acceptance and rejection than the tube flavor. The tube flavor is second,
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