Lampizator Pacific 3

[Kenc]

I've got an early Baltic 3 and still happy with it but there's a just a little itch...
Any info on the Pacific 3? I thought this might be the place to ask!

 

[lordcloud]

I've got an early Baltic 3 and still happy with it but there's a just a little itch...
Any info on the Pacific 3? I thought this might be the place to ask!

As far as I know, it's the same as the Pacific 2, but in the Poseidon case and only balanced and with a volume control.

 

[Kenc]

yes, that's the impression I got from the Mono and Stereo blurb.
nothing wrong with the feature set - hope the price doesn't go up too much...

 

[christoph]

The PAC3 (only one model available and that is fully loaded) is 1k less expensive than the fully loaded PAC2.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Is the Pacific 3 fundamentally a single-end topology or is it a truly differential design?

Putting the question another way if one uses the single-ended input does the signal stay single-ended, or is it balanced at the input via a balancing transformer?

 

[NellTheAkita]

Is the Pacific 3 fundamentally a single-end topology or is it a truly differential design?

Putting the question another way if one uses the single-ended input does the signal stay single-ended, or is it balanced at the input via a balancing transformer?

If you use RCA output it's limited to two tubes only, one tube per phase, so it will operate as single ended device.
If you want to use XLR 4 tubes are needed at all times, to have true 4 phase differential topology.

 

[kaka]

Has anyone compared the Pacific 3 with the Poseidon?

 

[NellTheAkita]

Has anyone compared the Pacific 3 with the Poseidon?

After getting to know the Poseidon and its features, I can confidently say that both Poseidon and Pacific are made for different groups of customers. If you already own one of them, it will be hard to replace it with the other.
Of course, we can always roll tubes to achieve the desired sound, and that is exactly the true strength of Lampi’s products. However, I think it’s great that these models offer such different sonic characteristics.
Poseidon delivers a very fresh sound, with excellent dynamics and an impressively spacious presentation. I believe these qualities were inherited from Horizon’s DNA. However, Poseidon does not provide the same weight or tonal color as the Pacific. The P3 does this in a more musical way… Individual notes are bigger, juicier, and have more impact.
I’m not suggesting that Poseidon cannot deliver a strong punch or deep bass because it can but in a different way. It’s more of an Audi RS style experience, while the P2 can easily be compared to a supercharged Mustang Shelby. The Pacific allows you to fully immerse yourself in the sound, even if it’s slightly rounded at times. That won’t be an issue, because music is all about fun. Poseidon, on the other hand, is a bit more focused in its presentation and can be an excellent partner for systems that already sound warm and weighty.
It’s almost as if combining both of them would create an experience close to Horizon. That’s why I believe that for half the price of Horizon, you get more than half of its performance. For those with unlimited resources, Horizon will simply be the ultimate, final DAC, while these two brothers will satisfy enthusiasts who are looking for a great device with a particular sound profile.

 

[godofwealth]

Fascinating, thanks for the info. I'm still holding on to my vintage Pacific I, as I have accumulated a large stash of NOS tubes, including some pricey WE 101Ds etc. I feel a bit like the owner of a fine camera from Leica, or Nikon, or Canon. At some point, the investment in glass (lenses) dictates upgrade choices. Lampi is becoming a Shindo DAC manufacturer. Each DAC has its own set of tubes. That's great, of course, except for old fogies like me who'd like to keep their glass (tubes now!). Still, I'm still deliberating on ways forward, but continue to enjoy my Pac I. All Lampi DAC's are great in their own ways, I'm sure....

 

[kaka]

That's extremely helpful, thanks

I watched the latest (?) interview Ron Resnick did with Lukasz, who made that point about the Horizon being close to a combination of the two.
But the comments on the Pacific 3 didn't go back to basics. The heavy weight reviews of the Pacific dacs are of the earlier variants, so I've not been sure what the eleven-P board has done

 

[NellTheAkita]

You can't go wrong with the upgrade, Eleven P engine elevates Pacific in every way. It's more open, with better micro dynamics, but still smooth and musical.
It's like upgrading the platform, but your favorite selection of tubes will still dictate the sound signature, so no need to worry there.

I went all-in with tubes as well, Valvo g2504, dual Siemens EC8010 Gold Pin, and 2e22 output tubes. Of course all of them in TP adapters, it's a phenomenal combination of clarity, space, and timbre that makes DACs like dCS or Esoteric sound like a lab measuring gear and not music reproduction.

 

[Kenc]

Does anyone know how would the Genya fit along the Pacific - Poseidon spectrum?

 

[godofwealth]

It’s a tough question how much to spend on DACs and media servers. I decided a few years ago the Pacific was good enough for me and used my resources to upgrade my speakers to the ultra massive Soundlab G9/7c. These 9 foot monsters will not fit in many listening rooms and you need the space and electronics to drive them properly. I could have gone to Horizon 360 for the same money, but I don’t regret for one millisecond my decision to stick with my Pacific I. Hearing the huge SL G9/7c is an eye opening experience that I would never have gotten with my previous speakers even with the H360. Of course I can still get the H360, but I'm attached to the sound of my Pacific with the gorgeous Western Electric NOS tubes. The Pacific 3 looks like a possible upgrade. But for me, speakers are the limiting factor, and of course, the electronics and the listening room. DACs are pretty much a solved problem IMHO, as are media servers. But speakers are still far from what we want. No speaker on earth can even resolve 16-bit audio. The next time you see a speaker manufacturer tout his product, ask to see distortion specs from 20 Hz to 100 Hz. You’ll be shocked at how bad they are!

 

[NellTheAkita]

It’s a tough question how much to spend on DACs and media servers. I decided a few years ago the Pacific was good enough for me and used my resources to upgrade my speakers to the ultra massive Soundlab G9/7c. These 9 foot monsters will not fit in many listening rooms and you need the space and electronics to drive them properly. I could have gone to Horizon 360 for the same money, but I don’t regret for one millisecond my decision to stick with my Pacific I. Hearing the huge SL G9/7c is an eye opening experience that I would never have gotten with my previous speakers even with the H360. Of course I can still get the H360, but I'm attached to the sound of my Pacific with the gorgeous Western Electric NOS tubes. The Pacific 3 looks like a possible upgrade. But for me, speakers are the limiting factor, and of course, the electronics and the listening room. DACs are pretty much a solved problem IMHO, as are media servers. But speakers are still far from what we want. No speaker on earth can even resolve 16-bit audio. The next time you see a speaker manufacturer tout his product, ask to see distortion specs from 20 Hz to 100 Hz. You’ll be shocked at how bad they are!

Of course loudspeakers have the highest distortion out of all the rest of hifi chain, but so does everything in nature that produces sound. We are used to distortion, the world of sound around us is not perfectly linear to begin with. Often the right distortion makes us feel like sound is more natural.

 

[Solartiger]

I would be very interested in a Pacific3 review and comparison to Horizon 360 and Poseidon. I don’t need any preamp functions, I need 2 x AES/EBU.

 

[NellTheAkita]

I would be very interested in a Pacific3 review and comparison to Horizon 360 and Poseidon. I don’t need any preamp functions, I need 2 x AES/EBU.

Pacific 3 is exactly the same internally as Pacific 2, there is no sound change there, just a facelift. As for comparing them side by side I did my best to describe it few posts above.

 

[christoph]

I would be very interested in a Pacific3 review and comparison to Horizon 360 and Poseidon. I don’t need any preamp functions, I need 2 x AES/EBU.

How about the Genya, then?

I don't know if 2x AES/EBU is feasible, though.

Genya DAC

Genya Lampizator - digital converter with vacuum tubes

www.lampizatorpoland.com

 

[Francesco tube fan]

Good evening, after a year of very happy coexistence with the Poseidon I decided to switch to the Pacific 3, for my passion for DHT and for the possibility I have of obtaining reliable and controlled nos. Yesterday it arrived at my house and is equipped with 4 PX4s from the new Korean label Stradi in addition to the 5U4G from KR. I'm thrilled, it immerses me in the music like when I listen to master copies from my Telefunken M15A. Soon I'll have the 300B WE and will start comparing. I use it without a preamp, which is a good choice for me and the other two inputs are also fine (phono and reel). In short, I'm happy.

 

[godofwealth]

Excited to see Lampi continuing to support the Pacific. I continue to enjoy my vintage PAC v1.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Good evening, after a year of very happy coexistence with the Poseidon I decided to switch to the Pacific 3, for my passion for DHT and for the possibility I have of obtaining reliable and controlled nos. Yesterday it arrived at my house and is equipped with 4 PX4s from the new Korean label Stradi in addition to the 5U4G from KR. I'm thrilled, it immerses me in the music like when I listen to master copies from my Telefunken M15A. Soon I'll have the 300B WE and will start comparing. I use it without a preamp, which is a good choice for me and the other two inputs are also fine (phono and reel). In short, I'm happy.

That is very interesting, Francesco! Enjoy!

I ponder whether I would prefer Pacific 3 or Genya. I like the DHT design.