Lampizator Big 7
- Thread starter Elberoth
- Start date
might power grid treatment benefit the GG/B7 more than the MSB? I'm thinking even though the GG is apparently very quiet tubes are simply less quiet than the quietest solid state and therefore power grid optimization can help the Lampi GG close the gap? only trying to understand cause and effect here. sometimes a more linear power supply really helps tubes behave.
apologize if this has been covered elsewhere.
for instance are users utilizing whole system isolation transformers with the Lampi GG/B7 such as an Equi=tech wall panel system? not talking about stand alone, plugged in power conditioners. I'm referring to 'system isolation transformers' and then circuits with digital noise filters to reduce/control noise feedback.
Hi Howie, you don't have to go as far as the GG (of course you can if budget is no an issue). But all the feedback you are reading, from those who are preferring Lampi to everything else, is almost all from B7, since GG is new. So, for Lampi fans, it is more of a case of GG > B7 > all else. Yes, DSD > PCM, but again, as far as I am concerned, it is more of a case of DSD > B7 PCM > All else.
Al as you know has the 35k MSB stack as well, you can get his feedback, and here is one more
http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?17630-Best-PCM-DACs&p=318303&viewfull=1#post318303
Pri,
there is a thread (or 2) here where Marslo in Poland and another fellow in the UK (Blue58) were using the B7 and the GG (on loan from Mark Cole of Sablon) respectively. Both initially said that they preferred the PCM on their AA LaFontaine Dac. Bonzo suggested tube tools (WE replica 101ds) and the UK fellow did that plus change the power cord to a prototype from Sablon and a week later said the PCM was better than the AA LaF. Marslo doubted it, but a week or so later tried the WE replica 101d and switched the Recti to a RCA Jan 5R4GY with its large voltage drop and declared that it matched and perhaps beat his beloved AA LaF.
This vindicated what AL says and indeed showed me last year. B7 PCM well set up rivals the B7 DSD playback!!!!
Finally, The GG is the same circuit as the B7 but with Bugatti parts. If each of the changes equals 1% improvement on their own, the 10 combined synergiszes to say 15% overall improvement. I did not want this to be true, as my B7 is now just a prince, not a king. The one caveat is that the PCM in the GG start from lower than he B7 and goes higher with break in. The Mundorf caps in them are notorious for long break in. A typical B7 starts to show its true nature from Day 4 of playback. A GG takes 14 days to do the same, according to UK experience and will keep improving for 6 months to a year. A B7 should be stabilized at 3 months or so.
See posts 23 and 30 here:
http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showt...th-amp-No-Jump&p=320978&viewfull=1#post320978
Finally, in my system, the Regen Green with Corning helps to take USB input to another level, as this is with stock SMPS! DSD is unworldly, now that I am breaking in the 5R4gy JAN recti and the new mesh Plate EML 45 pair. All from a stock Mac Mini! LoL
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Thanks guys.
All interesting stuff.
My only issue with Adam's "much better" comments is that his MSB never had the better or clock and he sold his for the Trinity prior to ever upgrading his MSB to QUADUSB, but I trust his opinion in any case.
Are you guys all going straight to your amps or still using preamps. My system is the DAC IV+ QUADUSB with NO volume control and using a REF10 as my preamp. While I would love to try the Select, the cost is just outrageous even in it's upgrade discount and am afraid to listen to it as I can be impulsive and do things absurd.
The upgrade path to V while a relative bargain, still is a big cost relative to something like a Lampi where with the selling of the MSB I could pocket some big $$ which is worth it if the Lampi performs as you guys indicate.
Obviously I would want to see what DAVE is all about before making any decisions.
Does Lukaz have units that are available to demo if and when the time comes? Vince is going to send me a demo Select (AGAINST MY BETTER JUDGEMENT) when available which will probably be in the time frame DAVE is available. While I have upgraded to QUAD USB which has been a huge upgrade to my MSB I am holding off a few months before making a decision which way to move, but it would be nice to have some reference. It is good to see the many opinions of those who have both the MSB and Lampi.
I love tubes, have some very good Sophias in my second home I could use on the GG to play with if I choose to go that route. Incidentally, one of he reasons I love my HUGO is I use that in my second home and can use it portable the rest of the year rather than sitting idle.
I appreciate the insight.
All interesting stuff.
My only issue with Adam's "much better" comments is that his MSB never had the better or clock and he sold his for the Trinity prior to ever upgrading his MSB to QUADUSB, but I trust his opinion in any case.
Are you guys all going straight to your amps or still using preamps. My system is the DAC IV+ QUADUSB with NO volume control and using a REF10 as my preamp. While I would love to try the Select, the cost is just outrageous even in it's upgrade discount and am afraid to listen to it as I can be impulsive and do things absurd.
The upgrade path to V while a relative bargain, still is a big cost relative to something like a Lampi where with the selling of the MSB I could pocket some big $$ which is worth it if the Lampi performs as you guys indicate.
Obviously I would want to see what DAVE is all about before making any decisions.
Does Lukaz have units that are available to demo if and when the time comes? Vince is going to send me a demo Select (AGAINST MY BETTER JUDGEMENT) when available which will probably be in the time frame DAVE is available. While I have upgraded to QUAD USB which has been a huge upgrade to my MSB I am holding off a few months before making a decision which way to move, but it would be nice to have some reference. It is good to see the many opinions of those who have both the MSB and Lampi.
I love tubes, have some very good Sophias in my second home I could use on the GG to play with if I choose to go that route. Incidentally, one of he reasons I love my HUGO is I use that in my second home and can use it portable the rest of the year rather than sitting idle.
I appreciate the insight.
Well, if you try it that way you won't get much convinced by it. Better bet is to get a B7 or GG with 101ds and any other tube (45s or 6A3s) in your primiary system and try for a couple of weeks. Get a burned in dac, so mostly the B7,from a friend or distributor.
I have tried it directly into power amps, it sounds cleaner and faster, but I preferred it through both the Jadis and the Shindo. Please note this was only a preference, and I really cannot say it was better, the external preamps sounded more colored and distorted, but lent more slightly weight which I preferred.
I listen mostly to orchestral and opera.
Now, Jadis and Shindo sound like conventional tubes - beautiful, distorted, jadis a bit muddied, where SS will be more detailed. But the Lampi tubes are not necessarily so. You might surprise yourself with more slam, bass, and detail than SS.
I have tried it directly into power amps, it sounds cleaner and faster, but I preferred it through both the Jadis and the Shindo. Please note this was only a preference, and I really cannot say it was better, the external preamps sounded more colored and distorted, but lent more slightly weight which I preferred.
I listen mostly to orchestral and opera.
Now, Jadis and Shindo sound like conventional tubes - beautiful, distorted, jadis a bit muddied, where SS will be more detailed. But the Lampi tubes are not necessarily so. You might surprise yourself with more slam, bass, and detail than SS.
AL has the Galaxy2 clock upgrade.
Neither AL nor Adam has the GG, only B7 and in the case of Adam DSD only.
Bonzo is on the money for all else and yes, I know the Hugo works as a portable for you too and has no RFI/EMI issue at your lakehouse in the wilderness. Some people complain about interference in built up areas.
No idea about DAVE, but the specs DO look sexy. It likely will not match Lampi for DSD playback though, as the brute force approach that works so well for PCM is anathema to DSD.
For me Lampi is a destination Dac, so try to get a GG demo (already broken in, as the Mundorf caps take forever) and if it fits your taste, you are truly Golden.
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Yeah, I am going to try to do that. Right now is a somewhat "threshold" moment for me in terms of where to spend or save money given my choices and depending which way I go, I could either become much poorer in the case of the Select, slightly poorer in the case of upgrading to a V or pocket some cash if I do a Lampi or Dave route or do a Lampi + DAVE route.
Well, if you go the pocket change approach, I wont refuse your invitation to a fancy restaurant dinner that you will be easily able to afford with all those savings! The only outstanding question will be how many Michelin stars... LoL
Seriously though, check out the GG...I have a feeling it will hit the spot for you and you will just enjoy the music and stop thinking about it.
Are you SE or fully balanced?
Balanced.
Truth is my system has been very stable with minimal changes for the last 2 years and love it. The ONLY reason I am considering is because of the decision of whether to spend bucks to upgrade my IV vs. what alternatives are available versus the bucks of the upgrade.
You need the Balanced Big7 or GG Dac then for best performance with your system. If not FULLY balanced (and I mean every link in the cahin with internal Balanced config), then SE Dac would be the way to to.
What a great surprise the Sablon Reserva power cord! The best I have ever had in my system. Very happy with that purchase, I would like to thank who posted about it here. I just trusted it would be a good choice.
It was.
It was.
Wisnon, I had Kubala Sosna Emotion on Audiopax Maggiore pre L50 and Lampi Big 7. And I tested KS Elation on both Maggiore M50 amps. There was a very nice combination, but I missed bass.
Then I got the Elations back (Emotions are mine) and put back the Less Loss signature on M50.
Then I received Sablon Reserva. Put one in each amp, one in pre and the last in the B7.
Oh boy! Never heard such transparency, amazing highs, natural. And the bass was there, like I wish.
I am very happy, the only different cable now is the KS Emotion on the Aurender.
I told Mark from Sablon that I wish I had heard about Sablon before I ordered Schnerzinger IC, speaker and Cleaner. The Schnerzinger cables are with my daughter in UK, waiting to come to Brazil next week. I would try Sablon before buying such expensive cables.
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Excellent! I am trying a single PC with my B7 now. It wont be easy for 2 reasons, 1) all components pass thru the Lampi Silk Power conditioner and 2) I am running the excellent SWISSCables reference PC (LumenWhite design). The physical characteristics are dissimilar...the Gran Reserva is far heavier and more flexible...and it has small micro balls in the plug end rattling around (very elegant looking cable). The Swiss is also nice looking but rather stiff and light (air dielectic?).
To evaluate SQ differences will not be easy as the Swiss sets a high bar already.
Mark clearly has a winner already though, as I gather the price/quality ratio will be compelling.
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Wisnon and Joaoviera, I'm a 2 year customer of Mark's, and have just invested in a whole loom of Sablon Gran Reservas, 6 power cords, 3 interconnects, and spkr cables. I'm going to start a thread on them after a final change I need to make to truly reveal their qualities, but I just want to say they are superb in every way. Bass weight w/no compromise on mids transparency and high end sparkle. Oodles of detail, but never analytical. Warm, vibrant, revealing and involving. So many cables enhance one facet at the expense of others, but not these. I've heard Lumley, Acoustic Zen, Hovland, Audience Au 24, Kimber, Zu Event, Entreq Challenger, Nordost and my prev Sablon Panatellas/QGCs, and these cables are head and shoulders the clear winner, w/Mark's previous cables in second place by a fair margin over the others.
Blue58 here has trialled them too on his GG and was amazed by what he heard compared to his usual cable.
Blue58 here has trialled them too on his GG and was amazed by what he heard compared to his usual cable.
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Hi Wisnon,
I hope you are hearing the same ear opening delights of the Reserva cord that Joaovieira heard in his system.
There is something just natural and organic with ALL of Sablon Audio cables and they also have a synergy with each other which I found out when I tested Mark's USB cable in my system. The sum of having an all Sablon loom is spectacular.
I will admit to only hearing a PC on the Golden Gate that I had on loan and on my AA LaFontiane. The GG was improved by a great margin, the LaFontaine not by as great a leap. I put this down to the power supply in the latter not being up to the task.
I hope soon to try a pair of Reservas on my power amps and as they have a similar power supply to the Audiopax amps I should be thrilled with the outcome. BTW my mainstay PCs have been the VHaudio Airsine that I always thought were extremely well balanced but in light of the Reservas they are somewhat slow and thicker (gold Furutech?) and with less top end extension.
The Reservas are a screaming bargain, in fact ALL Salon Audio cables are SOTA in performance without SOTA prices.
Let us know how you get on with your B7.
Blue58
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