MSB Cascade vs Lampizator Horizon

[joeling]

I am setting up a new system and have narrowed down the choice of DACs to these two. I did test them at different times in my other system and settled on the Lampizator (actually heard the Lampi at an acquaintance's place and managed to coax him to sell to me). This other system is centered around Focal Stella Utopia speakers and tend to be a bit brighter. I find the Lampi, compared to the Cascade, to be more accommodating when I listen to less than ideal recordings (bright and I have quite many of these music).

Now to the new system. The speakers are a pair of TAD R1s. I heard a few R1s at friends' places and they seem to be more mellow and more forgiving than the Focals. So, the dilemma is - should I go with the Horizon but may end of with too much of a good thing and muffle the highs ? Or should I go with the MSB but may not be enough to tame the poor recordings ? Any insight ? Which has a better chance of integrating with the R1 ?

I am unable to move the Lampi to test the new system as they are on a different continent and customs is a nightmare.

Streamer or file as source player is an Antipodes Oladra

 

[joeling]

My only experience is with the Horizon 1 with upgraded NOS tubes hence the questions.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

it's tempting to suggest that maybe system tweaking might allow the Cascade to work for those marginal recordings. might not cost any money, just optimization here and there. the TAD R1's are very honest. is the set-up as optimized as possible? in my system some classical pieces never worked for me, until my system refinement advanced a little farther, my musical ear advanced too, and wa-la, those recordings spoke to me finally.

if the Cascade was not already better on the better recordings to your ear i would never go here.

you have some really amazing pieces of gear in your system (s), and maybe some small change might be the rising tide that raises all ships. i'm always looking for the most musical truth and maybe the Cascade does that best. degrees of tube warmth is another way to go, but then less musical truth/information. the payoff of fixing the system (if possible) is everything is better.

as i said 'it's tempting' but only you know your system and maybe already no stone is left unturned. the idea is to know the right question to ask. what needs the work (or change)? the dac, or something else?

 

[joeling]

Hi Mike,

I am kind afraid this might be the answer as both are good but which is better is what I am trying to figure out. The TAD system is still a work in progress as I just moved to my rebuilt place in April and only now am setting up the system even though I have purchased the speakers sitting in boxes in the garage all these months. Room will be ready next week. I will fly there to set it up with some bits of electronics on loan from my dealer.

The other place with the Focal is many years old

 

[joeling]

Sorry, u never mentioned which horizon version (there have been three) or tubes in your original post. thus my questions. over and out

Don't get me wrong, I really like the Horizon 1 with the NOS tubes (I don't know the details of these tubes are I took the whole package from the original owner). I feel that it is a better match in the Focal system after trying out the Cascade but at the same time, I was already set to go for the Cascade for the r1 but more listening sessions with the Horizon with the Focal put some doubts into my mind whether I should consider the Horizon. Agony.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Hi Mike,

I am kind afraid this might be the answer as both are good but which is better is what I am trying to figure out. The TAD system is still a work in progress as I just moved to my rebuilt place in April and only now am setting up the system even though I have purchased the speakers sitting in boxes in the garage all these months. Room will be ready next week. I will fly there to set it up with some bits of electronics on loan from my dealer.

The other place with the Focal is many years old

View attachment 162912

congrats on the new room project. sounds like lots of fun. exciting.