Lampizator announcement: launch of our all new TOTL HORIZON DAC

[Steve Williams]

Any more listening impressions?

How about a Pacific to Horizon synopsis. Is there a reason to trade up?

One word answer ….. Yes

we just finished a/b ing the 2 and every person was asked the difference. The main answer is the complete loss of a holographic image with the Pacific as compared to the Horizon. Also as detailed as the Pacific is it does not have nearly the detail of the Horizon. The amount of detail heard with the Horizon is unequaled IMHO

Several Pacific owners and Aurender owners were here and purchased Horizons. Need I say more

 

[marty]

What cables are being used on the Pacific? Any consideration for swapping out the Masterbuilt Ultras with whatever cables are driving the Pacific to hear the difference?

 

[Steve Williams]

Any more listening impressions?

How about a Pacific to Horizon synopsis. Is there a reason to trade up?

We just wrapped up and the system is now off.
Here is the second reason to consider a Horizon….. my partner Ron as you know is a hardcore devoted analogue lover who has never liked digital as he says it fries his ears. Today Ron was in the listening position tapping his toes and saying its the best digital he has heard and he now understands what everyone has been raving about. That to me is the best testimonial of the entire weekend

 

[Steve Williams]

What cables are being used on the Pacific? Any consideration for swapping out the Masterbuilt Ultras with whatever cables are driving the Pacific to hear the difference?

We did all of that and the no difference in opinion by anyone present
total loss of amount of detail and holographic imaging. It sounds great but compared to the Horizon it sounds lean

 

[Steve Williams]

What a great weekend. Total of almost 30 people present over 2 days.

We are now in our way to Newport Beach for dinner at Fleming’s and then back home to decompress and Rin thoughts by Lukasz and Fred

Today was also special as we ran the Horizon with 5 different rectifiers
a Russian made for $1.50!!!
Shuguang gz480
Philco 5u4g
274B EML
RK 5u4g

more on everything tomorrow. I’m beat

 

[Steve Williams]

 

[Steve Williams]

 

[Steve Williams]

How about Ron taking it all in. We were listening Direct DAC to amp at this point and direct is superb. The preamp on the Horizon is excellent and if someone is starting a system I can say unequivocally that the Horizon performs magnificent when run direct, Having said that many people felt using the preamp created a slight edge.

 

[wisnon]

One word answer ….. Yes

we just finished a/b ing the 2 and every person was asked the difference. The main answer is the complete loss of a holographic image with the Pacific as compared to the Horizon. Also as detailed as the Pacific is it does not have nearly the detail of the Horizon. The amount of detail heard with the Horizon is unequaled IMHO

Several Pacific owners and Aurender owners were here and purchased Horizons. Need I say more

Oh my days!

 

[wisnon]

How about Ron taking it all in. We were listening Direct DAC to amp at this point and direct is superb. The preamp on the Horizon is excellent and if someone is starting a system I can say unequivocally that the Horizon performs magnificent when run direct, Having said that many people felt using the preamp created a slight edge.
View attachment 89256

when will the videos go up and will U put the links here in this thread?

 

[Gregadd]

Be patient. Ron is on the road.

 

[pk_LA]

First of two posts.

Steve and his wife are truly wonderful. They welcomed us into their home and were incredible hosts. They were so very kind. Thank you so much Williams'!

Steve's system is really frustrating. It sounds incredible. I am used to hearing high end systems where I come away feeling like it does this or that better than mine. I think to myself - well, I could do this or that and maybe close the gap...etc. But, Steve's room and system are on a different level. I thoroughly loved it. And, then I drove home to listen to my system which sounds like clock radio comparatively!

Thank You, Steve!

 

[2ndLiner]

Any more listening impressions?

How about a Pacific to Horizon synopsis. Is there a reason to trade up?

Short answer…YES!

 

[pk_LA]

So, about the Lampizator...

It is without doubt the most thoroughly analog, wonderful sounding dac I have ever heard.

It is liquid smooth. It had great detail. It was smooth. Air, dynamics, precision - I have always believed that you fall on the side of either detail & accuracy or smoothness & musicality. It was both. I am struggling to find a flaw.

If I had to, I would talk about physical appearance. It maybe resembles an early cold war encryption machine. It's very nice for sure but it definitely looks retro-hip vs high-tech contemporary.

If you have not heard it you should.

A really impressive bit of kit.

 

[2ndLiner]

BIG thanks to Cathy and Steve for being such fabulous hosts! It was great to meet some of the WBFers, Fred, and Lukasz. The Horizon delivers more of everything. The sense of space that you get whether it is a live or studio recording is phenomenal. All instruments and voices sound more natural/real. Unsolicited Advice Alert: If you can afford it, go for it!

 

[Steve Williams]

when will the videos go up and will U put the links here in this thread?

Ron has to edit them

 

[howiebrou]

We did all of that and the no difference in opinion by anyone present
total loss of amount of detail and holographic imaging. It sounds great but compared to the Horizon it sounds lean

You have my sympathy Steve having wasted all those years listening to the Pacfic.

 

[pk_LA]

I am sitting here as I type this listening to my Rossini. It is undoubtedly very nice. But, it is not even in the same zip code as the Lampizator. Sigh.

 

[Gregadd]

Just a teaser.
Yes tube rolling makes a difference.
Yes you can bypass the dac.
Yes it is objectively better than the Pacific.

 

[pk_LA]

Just a teaser.
Yes tube rolling makes a difference.
Yes you can bypass the dac.
Yes it is objectively better than the Pacific.

I clearly left too early!