LampizatOr Golden Atlantic + TRP

[christoph]

No idea on the EI I'm afraid. I like the earlier RFT tubes a lot, and often run the RFT EL11 in the TRP. I think I have some RFT EL34 as well. Will have to dig them out...

Please give the RFT EL34 a try when you already have them anyways.
Do the RFT EL11 need an adapter?
How would you describe the sonic signature of the EL11?
Are the EL11 very rare and therefore very expensive?

 

[Alrainbow]

the seiman el34 are good too but the righjt recti is needed to give them more body . its a good cheap to start with

 

[Ed_K]

Trying to find sellers of the Psvane 6Ca7 TII. Are we pretty much relegated to obtaining them from China?

I have a single ended TRP with volume control. I use the Psvane 6CA7 Tii exclusively now with my KR 5U4G RK. Just purchased a balanced TRP with volume control. So I will be looking for a new quad of the Psvanes come January. I’d also be interested in anyone’s experience with the current China based eBay sellers or any other reliable source. I will probably sell my current single ended TRP with the pair of Psvanes. These are great tubes, love what they do.

 

[DeadWax]

I have a single ended TRP with volume control. I use the Psvane 6CA7 Tii exclusively now with my KR 5U4G RK. Just purchased a balanced TRP with volume control.

I'd be curious of the sonic differences you're finding between the SE and balanced versions.

 

[christoph]

the seiman el34 are good too but the righjt recti is needed to give them more body . its a good cheap to start with

You mean the Siemens EL34 that came with the TRP GA?
When the Siemens EL34 have too few hours, I found them lacking in the treble region and congested and not airy.
Only after hundreds of hours they open up

What recti would you combine with them?

 

[christoph]

I have a single ended TRP with volume control. I use the Psvane 6CA7 Tii exclusively now with my KR 5U4G RK. Just purchased a balanced TRP with volume control. So I will be looking for a new quad of the Psvanes come January. I’d also be interested in anyone’s experience with the current China based eBay sellers or any other reliable source. I will probably sell my current single ended TRP with the pair of Psvanes. These are great tubes, love what they do.

That is also my go-to combo

Why did you go for the balanced version? Most people I know go the other way round

How do you use your TRP with VC? Directly into the amps, without a preamp?

 

[Ed_K]

I'd be curious of the sonic differences you're finding between the SE and balanced versions.

I will report back after I receive it next week. I’m hoping it will resolve a noise issue. More later.

 

[Ed_K]

That is also my go-to combo

Why did you go for the balanced version? Most people I know go the other way round

How do you use your TRP with VC? Directly into the amps, without a preamp?

Going back to a fully balanced system to hopefully lower the noise floor in my system. It seems there is definitely an increase since going to single ended. As Speakers are 100db so you hear every bit of noise in the lines. The whole noise issue is very complex but I’m down to the last possible fixes on my list. It’s an issue that may not have much impact on the music but when you know it’s there, it’s something that always bugs you. I’m probably just going nuts!

Yes, I do run directly into the Pass XA amps. It had better dynamics, more alive, increased clarity versus going into my Pass XP30 first. I listen at 75 to 80 db levels and this helps get the most out of my setup.

Happy New Year to all!

 

[christoph]

Going back to a fully balanced system to hopefully lower the noise floor in my system. It seems there is definitely an increase since going to single ended. As Speakers are 100db so you hear every bit of noise in the lines. The whole noise issue is very complex but I’m down to the last possible fixes on my list. It’s an issue that may not have much impact on the music but when you know it’s there, it’s something that always bugs you. I’m probably just going nuts!

Yes, I do run directly into the Pass XA amps. It had better dynamics, more alive, increased clarity versus going into my Pass XP30 first. I listen at 75 to 80 db levels and this helps get the most out of my setup.

Happy New Year to all!

I understand you completely.
Good luck finding the last bit of noise
Nice to hear that the inbuilt preamp can outsound a big calibre preamp like the expensive Pass XP30
Also a Happy and hopefully better new Year!

 

[DeadWax]

I will report back after I receive it next week. I’m hoping it will resolve a noise issue. More later.

Thanks. That's an upgrade I'm considering in 2021 - moving from my SE Atlantic TRP to a Golden Atlantic TRP SE or balanced. But yes, even a comparison on the Atlantic TRP SE vs balanced would be interesting. I'd also be interested if an anyone has A/B'd the Atlantic TRP vs Golden Atlantic TRP. Just trying to figure out if the upgrade would make a material sonic improvement.

 

[Ed_K]

@christoph , @DeadWax,
A Bit of History...
The TRP is my first venture into the Lampizator universe. So I really can't comment on it versus prior or current versions. Never even heard one at any audio show. Just thought it was a novel idea worth hearing. And after reading so many posts here on WBF from all the very knowledgeable users, I pulled the trigger.
When I did get my TRP, my first step was to listen to it, get a feel for its signature then compare it to my then current Meitner DAC. Both DAC's were fed by my Aurender N10 server. The Meitner via AES/EBU, the TRP via USB (both Shunyata cables). Both were then connected to my XP30, the Meitner via XLR, TRP via SE (again both Shunyata Alpha). The XP30 to the XA60.5 monos via XLR, can't remember what interconnect was used.
After countless A-B sessions, I was stunned.....they both were so close it was shocking. Had I just spent thousands to actually get maybe a 1/2 % difference. It was this that led me to try going direct to the amps from the TRP. Could not do this from the Meitner.
This was a revelation for me. Music now was more real, alive, emotional, etc. What more can I say, well bass thumped more, vocals had body, detail, very lifelike. Highs did not change much, maybe slightly less detailed. I was amazed. Now, was the preamp the issue. If I were to venture a thought, it would be that the XP30 maybe homogenized both. I really don't know but I am convinced that with the type of music I listen to, at the lower volume levels used, and with my particular room and gear, It works extremely well. As always, we have so many variables to deal with in our rooms and systems. I can't lay claims that it was definitely the preamp, maybe it was the DAC, Maybe minimizing cables, equipment, etc. But I definitely like what I hear and i'm very satisfied.

Now onto to a balanced version. Why? Well given that there is always a bit of noise in electronics, my speakers (Zu Definition 4's), because of their 100db efficiency, let you hear everything. At some point in this adventure something changed. The only thing I have ever heard when no music was playing was a very slight hiss from the tweeters. With full disclosure I have to say that you could only hear this when your ear was within a few centimeters from the tweeter. Since these changes, I can now hear a slight buzz form the other drivers and additional hiss from the tweeter. At times, I have woken up, with no music playing and could hear this from my listening position. I won't bore you with the many steps I've taken to eliminate this or at the least minimize it. But I've always heard that Pass gear works best when utilized balanced. I may have read somewhere that it was recommended by Pass. Was it the change to SE, I don't know. At any rate, this is what has led me to investigate a balanced connection to my amps. Now all I have to do, when I actually get my balanced TRP is find a quad of of the Psvane 6CA7 TII's to get an apples to apples comparison of differences between TRP in SE and XLR.

Ok, you have heard enough and I have taken probably too much of your time. Anyone with anything to add, I welcome comments on your experiences. Feel free to comment thru private messages if you wish.

Happy Holidays
Ed

 

[Zero000]

The noise you are hearing Ed will almost certainly be from the Lampi. Using 100DB speakers with a tetrode output valve DAC will never be as quiet as using the Meitner.

Switch to balanced may help as it is noise cancelling, but I suspect you will still have a noise issue of some kind.

Be really careful about where the DAC is placed. It can pick up all sorts of nonsense.

 

[DeadWax]

@Ed_K Do you have the same noise issue when using sources other than the Lampi DAC? Seems the diagnostic would be straightforward to see if the DAC is even contributing to the noise or not.

 

[Ed_K]

The noise you are hearing Ed will almost certainly be from the Lampi. Using 100DB speakers with a tetrode output valve DAC will never be as quiet as using the Meitner.

Switch to balanced may help as it is noise cancelling, but I suspect you will still have a noise issue of some kind.

Be really careful about where the DAC is placed. It can pick up all sorts of nonsense.

Thx for your input. Hopefully it will be reduced and I can move on.

 

[Ed_K]

@Ed_K Do you have the same noise issue when using sources other than the Lampi DAC? Seems the diagnostic would be straightforward to see if the DSAC is even contributing to the noise or not.

Can’t make this comparison. I no longer own a preamp. The Lampi is my only source.

 

[perfusionist]

Received these today!

 

[christoph]

Received these today!
View attachment 73043View attachment 73043View attachment 73044View attachment 73045View attachment 73046

Wow, they look almost like brand new.
Mine look really shabby compared

 

[Zero000]

Thx for your input. Hopefully it will be reduced and I can move on.

I've had my Lampi completely re-engineered internally to overcome noise issues by a pretty competent tube/valve guy.

I would still be worried with 100DB speakers, though.

I had a Meitner SACD player for a while quite a few years ago. I rated it as excellent. Definitely more technically competent than any Lampi.

But Lampis are so much more fun with the flexiibility to adjust the sonics. I think the concept is great in that regard. What's paramount is it needs to be very well done or you will experience issues.

Hoping you get there

 

[leftside]

Please give the RFT EL34 a try when you already have them anyways.
Do the RFT EL11 need an adapter?
How would you describe the sonic signature of the EL11?
Are the EL11 very rare and therefore very expensive?

I will. I'll also see which version they are - probably from the 1970's. After reading Pasquale Rosso book on the EL34, I'm looking for some earlier versions.

Yes EL11 need the EL11 to EL34 adapter. The RFT EL11 has a big bold sound with great mids (like the latter Philips EL34) and a nice touch of warmth. They are usually pretty cheap if picked up in used singles from German eBay. Quite often show up.

The same tubes, but with different bases are KT61, 6P25, 6M6G, EL33 (no adapters required) and EL3N (different adapter required). I'm really liking these Visseaux 6M6G in the TRP as well:

Visseaux 6M6G EL33 NOS NIB Tested Vacuum Pentode Power Output Tube Valve Rohre | eBay

Visseaux 6M6G Vacuum Pentode Power Output Tube. Tested on AVO 160. All our tubes are tested for shorts and gas leak.

www.ebay.co.uk

Also keep an eye out for the GEC KT61. Can be picked up for far cheaper than it's bigger brother - the KT66.

 

[highstream]

@highstream what Supratek preamp are you using with the TRP ? I am eager to order the Cabaret dual from Mick but there is some pretty long wait time at the moment.

On a different note, does the 5R4GY recti work on all Lampi DAC ? I recently got a Baltic3 and wondering if it would work ? Anybody compare with the EML 5U4G ?

Chardonnay. I've been watching for a single Cabernet. Dual is too complicated for my needs.

I'd love to hear those KT-66's again I sold to someone here, or another pair, just to compare again to the EL51's.

I've been burning in a Brimar 5R4GY NOS dual O getter that came from the eBay India seller (Golum's suggestion). No markings at all, which the seller says is due to cleaning tubes after decades of dust. Hadn't come across that story before. In any case, it's at 110 hrs and counting, and it seems to be getting a bit warmer as it goes. It's not that it is clean and detailed, a la the RK anniversary, thankfully, but is a touch dry so far, i.e., lacking that little extra bit of the 596's sweetness that I like. That aside, the Brimar has great clarity because it's easily the quietist tube I've ever had. Next to it, the 596 sounds noisy, less clear. Frustrating so far, because with a bit more sweetness the Brimar would be a killer for me. I'm wondering if the Woo adapter with the 596 plays any role in this and the shouty effect I've mentioned, as it has silver plated leads. I'm getting another all copper one to check.