Lukasz Has Done It Again

[Steve Williams]

Someone be using the sane DAC with Soultion or Audio Research or Burmeister.
I still think being able to select DAC level output be an advantage and not a hindrance for some of us.

I'm betting there will be no issues with any top of the line preamp or did I just get lucky with a 15 year old preamp

 

[hifirabbit]

totally understand but once again, maybe I got lucky with my preamp as I am hearing zero issues

Steve,
Do you know the filter functions?
I cannot find any information on the manual.
The DCS unit filters can change roll off, pre ringing etc.
In a DCS system, one tailors the filter usually by the stream file.
For example, 44.1 likes Filter 3
For 96, Filter 2.
Also different Mapping selections can infuse more 2nd order harmonics.
It be nice to know what the Aphrodite DAC filters and shapes are supposed to do so one can more scientifically select .

 

[dminches]

Steve,
I am not doubting the Aphrodite is a fantastic state of the art unit.
People on this post all have already ordered the units.
However, every piece of equipment needs to be fine tuned in one system to make the system sound the best.
One does not know how these state of the art equipments interact as we all use units from different manufacturers.
You use Lampi with LAMM. Etc..
Someone be using the sane DAC with Soultion or Audio Research or Burmeister.
I still think being able to select DAC level output be an advantage and not a hindrance for some of us.

The Aphrodite output levels of 3V/6V seems to be the same as the Horizon. In my system the Horizon output at 63 is too high.

I fully understand your perspective on this.

 

[hifirabbit]

I'm betting there will be no issues with any top of the line preamp or did I just get lucky with a 15 year old preamp

I agree totally.
Most of us have excellent preamps and definitely good headroom.

 

[hifirabbit]

The Aphrodite output levels of 3V/6V seems to be the same as the Horizon. In my system the Horizon output at 63 is too high.

I fully understand your perspective on this.

It is also not about preamp overload but about giving us users of the Aphrodite a manageable volume adjustment range that helps our system sing.

 

[Steve Williams]

So everyone as I understand is asking for an Aphrodite specific for their preamp ??

 

[hifirabbit]

So everyone as I understand is asking for an Aphrodite specific for their preamp ??

No Steve,
That would be the ultimate solution but impractical.
Not all of us are electrical engineers.
Also, we don’t want to ship the heavy DAC back to Poland if we change preamp/ amp.
I think having high quality variable levels of DAC output that is user selectable ( 2v , 3 v or 6 v ) done correctly with best resistors would not degrade the Aphrodite but help for different audio system optimization.
Again, not about head room or overhead but ability to fine tune the sweet audial level range in each of our different systems.

 

[Steve Williams]

I get it. I really do. Maybe mine could sound better if that were the case but honestly Im loving what I’m hearing. Maybe I got lucky

 

[hifirabbit]

I get it. I really do. Maybe mine could sound better if that were the case but honestly Im loving what I’m hearing. Maybe I got lucky

 

[Lukasz "Lampizator" Fikus]

From this point I will respond to individual emails and I leave the conversation. Thank you all for participation and see you in California.
Btw, the output level is 3V pp RCA and 6 V XLR. It wont be changed. Every preamp in the world will work perfectly and we offer the best sound quality available today.

 

[spiritofmusic]

By the way, talking about the tubes. Chinese manufacturers made a huge, simply gigantic progress in the tube quality and also they make high priced luxury models like the one I chose - the legendary ACME series. It is the porsche of tubes. And I heard all new tubes in existence.
Also their reliability is now number one in the market. Still some NOS will sound sweeter.
BUT
BY making two rows of tubes I managed to make a circuit that cancels out the tube individual character ( also perceived as musical quality) and the tubes provide more of a straight wire with gain. Very neutral and pure. This allows the music to sound like the master tape without the tube being in your way.

Lucasz, your effusive comments on Psvane Acme, do you contend this will apply to their big power tubes like 211s etc?

 

[spiritofmusic]

Somehow I think the Aphrodite should have been named The Ripley...View attachment 159188
View attachment 159189

Didn't Ripley apply a military grade flamethrower to those eggs?
Would be kinda like all of them failing during a listening session, lol.

 

[hifirabbit]

From this point I will respond to individual emails and I leave the conversation. Thank you all for participation and see you in California.
Btw, the output level is 3V pp RCA and 6 V XLR. It wont be changed. Every preamp in the world will work perfectly and we offer the best sound quality available today.

3 V pp single ended and 6 V XLR are so called “ standards” and these outputs should work for all of us.

However, if the 6V XLR puts one into a low limited volume setting on one’s preamp and not to your liking, , then simply switch to RCA output on the Aphrodite.
I think we should all be happy with that.
Thanks Lukasz for clarifying.
Don’t forget to put in the Aphrodite Manual about what the shapers and Filters do when you get a chance.
Have a great launch and show!

 

[Steve Williams]

Aside from the outstanding question of how our preamps volume control will be impacted by the Aphrodite, and the new news we will need to order beforehand the best match even though we might switch preamps later….

other question, given as many of us know how good the 360 can sound with the communities’ effort over the past 3 years to uncover incredible tube pairings to take the 360 to completely different levels…. can the aphrodite exceed the incredible 360 with the best of tube sets available hands down right now out of the gate?

Has lampizator compared such combos? and not just stock horizon to ‘stock’ aphrodite tubes?

of course the background context here is that the benefits of tube rolling in the aphrodite appears to be negated by its offsetting tube design which we just learned about here… so i assume we can infer there is not the additional headroom in the aphrodite from tube rolling as was so abundantly clear with the 360?

Gosh , I really believe all of these questions have been asked and answered ad nauseum especially about the tube rolling. Lukasz say specifically in the manual and quoted in this thread that he has searched and found to his ears the best sounding tubes and defies us to find better. He also said he does not deal in NOS tubes and leaves that up to us. Everyone who loves tube rolling (myself included) has a stash of NOS tubes so why not experiment and find your best combination. My first 5 days of use with this DAC has truly lit me up and I am running SE. To each our own. Lukasz has said that whatever tubes one uses in the H360, can also be used in Aphrodite BUT he also said that they just might sound different so experiment and find what you like. As I sit here listen I will say again that for my ears, my system and my room the sound Im hearing is remarkable. If I do anything before the event or wait until then, Lukasz has stated that switching back row tubes to front row and vice versa will change the sound . That might easily prove to be adequate for me

as for your comment about lack of headroom in the Aphrodite, my impression is just the opposite

I believe the event at my house in a few weeks will answer all of these questions for those attending. I would still like to invite anyone interested to please RSVP . Right now, there seems to be a lot of speculation which has generated many inquisitive posts.........

Btw, the output level is 3V pp RCA and 6 V XLR. It wont be changed. Every preamp in the world will work perfectly and we offer the best sound quality available today.

 

[howiebrou]

Didn't Ripley apply a military grade flamethrower to those eggs?
Would be kinda like all of them failing during a listening session, lol.

Any tube user will have contemplated this at some stage!

 

[ctydwn]

Gosh , I really believe all of these questions have been asked and answered ad nauseum especially about the tube rolling. Lukasz say specifically in the manual and quoted in this thread that he has searched and found to his ears the best sounding tubes and defies us to find better. He also said he does not deal in NOS tubes and leaves that up to us. Everyone who loves tube rolling (myself included) has a stash of NOS tubes so why not experiment and find your best combination. My first 5 days of use with this DAC has truly lit me up and I am running SE. To each our own. Lukasz has said that whatever tubes one uses in the H360, can also be used in Aphrodite BUT he also said that they just might sound different so experiment and find what you like. As I sit here listen I will say again that for my ears, my system and my room the sound Im hearing is remarkable. If I do anything before the event or wait until then, Lukasz has stated that switching back row tubes to front row and vice versa will change the sound . That might easily prove to be adequate for me

as for your comment about lack of headroom in the Aphrodite, my impression is just the opposite

I believe the event at my house in a few weeks will answer all of these questions for those attending. I would still like to invite anyone interested to please RSVP . Right now, there seems to be a lot of speculation which has generated many inquisitive posts.........

sorry if some of us remain confused and don’t have all your insights. seems reasonable to ask questions here. mine remain and surely have not been clarified ad naseum. but of course i will patiently wait for the rollout weekend as i am sure things will become more clear from Lukasz and the group’s listening tests. great that such an event is being coordinated.

 

[Lobster]

sorry if some of us remain confused and don’t have all your insights. seems reasonable to ask questions here. mine remain and surely have not been clarified ad naseum. but of course i will patiently wait for the rollout weekend as i am sure things will become more clear from Lukasz and the group’s listening tests. great that such an event is being coordinated.

@Steve Williams @ctydwn

I believe it's "best tubes" vs. "best tubes available brand new and in large-ish quantities"

Lukasz is of course forced to only look at the latter category. My interpretation of Lukasz' comments "I have found the very best tubes that are new and available in large enough quantities for Aphrodite's production life. In that category you cannot find better tubes, I challenge you.
HOWEVER. Rare, old and very limited supply NOS tubes might yield better results, but as usual, this all after-market and up to the user community to figure out."

 

[simonthepieman]

Ordered a set of the LR16-NA Footers made by Magaudio which @Lukasz "Lampizator" Fikus recommended. Good Value.

Also made contact with Jon whom is going to send me some Hifi stay absolute footers to try in due course. Bronze Tops most likely.

Excited to hear everyone's comments after listening at Steve's , a little to far for me to travel from Yorkshire UK.

 

[Steve Rowan]

Ordered a set of the LR16-NA Footers made by Magaudio which @Lukasz "Lampizator" Fikus recommended. Good Value.

Also made contact with Jon whom is going to send me some Hifi stay absolute footers to try in due course. Bronze Tops most likely.

Excited to hear everyone's comments after listening at Steve's , a little too far for me to travel from Yorkshire

 

[Steve Williams]

Ordered a set of the LR16-NA Footers made by Magaudio which @Lukasz "Lampizator" Fikus recommended. Good Value.

Also made contact with Jon whom is going to send me some Hifi stay absolute footers to try in due course. Bronze Tops most likely.

Excited to hear everyone's comments after listening at Steve's , a little to far for me to travel from Yorkshire UK.

one guest is coming from China and another guest is coming from Poland