Lampizator Pacific as a Pre-Amp

Willgolf

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I am curious who is using the Lampi Pacific as a Pre-Amp? If so, did you start out with the Lampi or a different Pre-Amp? What caused you to change? Do you think the sound quality is the same as a dedicated Pre-Amp? I have not tried it on my system because it is not in an area that I can easily get to and I am functionally blind. I appreciate any and all thoughts.
 

heihei

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My experience is that the pre built into Lampis is very good considering the incremental cost, but can be bettered quite easily, although may require spending 2-3x the Lampi cost. Even with a dedicated pre in the system, many users recommend a Lampi with built-in pre in order to fine-tune the output voltage when using high-output tubes, e.g. 242.
 
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Stef

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I am curious who is using the Lampi Pacific as a Pre-Amp? If so, did you start out with the Lampi or a different Pre-Amp? What caused you to change? Do you think the sound quality is the same as a dedicated Pre-Amp? I have not tried it on my system because it is not in an area that I can easily get to and I am functionally blind. I appreciate any and all thoughts.
I don't know if you now have the answer to your original question, maybe you could share with me your experience if you bought the Lampizator Pacific?

I'm considering buying the Lampizator Pacific to replace my TAD DAC and doing some researches among actual users. I've been advised to buy the Lampi Pacific with volume control and drop my preamp to use the Pacific as DAC/Preamp.

I would appreciate any thought or advise.
 

Alrainbow

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Dec 11, 2013
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The lampi pre section is fine but you have a few conservations to observe if using it alone
one is the tubes used to yield the sound you will
here to anything imputed to the lampi pre input
this means it’s not neutral in sound.
next is total gain many systems benefit from an additional gain stage of your preamp
a third consideration is the output imp of the pac
it’s higher then most preamps and has effects on cable length
it’s always what you like and hear in the end
so while the pac can be great as is , try a preamp if you have one to decide
 

bonzo75

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I don't know if you now have the answer to your original question, maybe you could share with me your experience if you bought the Lampizator Pacific?

I'm considering buying the Lampizator Pacific to replace my TAD DAC and doing some researches among actual users. I've been advised to buy the Lampi Pacific with volume control and drop my preamp to use the Pacific as DAC/Preamp.

I would appreciate any thought or advise.

Jazzhead has both the TAD CD player and lampi Pacific. You can PM him. He uses it through his Koda preamp. He does not have a streamer so uses the TAD as CD transport (ever since he got the Golden gate 1.5, which he subsequently upgraded to Pac)
 
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Stef

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The lampi pre section is fine but you have a few conservations to observe if using it alone
one is the tubes used to yield the sound you will
here to anything imputed to the lampi pre input
this means it’s not neutral in sound.
next is total gain many systems benefit from an additional gain stage of your preamp
a third consideration is the output imp of the pac
it’s higher then most preamps and has effects on cable length
it’s always what you like and hear in the end
so while the pac can be great as is , try a preamp if you have one to decide
Thanks for your comments and advises . Moreover having never played with tubes before I guess it seems wiser to keep my actual preamp and have the opportunity to try with both systems. DAC with preamp function is attractive but somehow narrowing my move later on
 
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Alrainbow

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I have done a similar preamp sound using one of tape decks. it also made things sound more like tape.
 

bonzo75

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Thanks for your comments and advises . Moreover having never played with tubes before I guess it seems wiser to keep my actual preamp and have the opportunity to try with both systems. DAC with preamp function is attractive but somehow narrowing my move later on

Having the VC will give you added flexibility at low cost
 
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Stef

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bonzo75

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What's the VC ? Sorry I'm not familiar with acronyms

Volume control.. You can then use it with or without external pre, and adjust gain
 
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Willgolf

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Stef
As the originator of this thread, I had a good Preamp and was not interested in trying the Pacific without a Pre. Then one day I tried it. I was shocked at how good in my system the Pacific sounded without a Preamp. As a result, I immediately sold my Pre and I am using that money to upgrade to the Lampi Horizon.

I was fortunate enough to attend the soft launch of the Horizon in LA that was attended by Lukasz Fikus. We actually did a A/B comparison of the Horizon with a Pre and no Pre. IMO, I could not hear a difference. Others may have had different opinions. I received feedback from Rob and Fred (NA LAMPI) who attended the Tampa Audio show with Lukasz. They actually did an A/B test at the show and they were using VAC amps. They said the Horizon sounded better without a Preamp.
Given that you have a Pre already, I would go the same route as I did. Try it with a Pre for a long period of time and then try it without. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain especially if you get a Pacific with the Volume Control.

You should get a hold of Fred at North America Lampi and talk to him about his thoughts on Pre or no Pre. In my case, once I get the Horizon, if I am not happy with the sound I can always add a Pre. But I highly doubt that I will. And, it is one less component in my chain.
 

Stef

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Jan 10, 2021
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Stef
As the originator of this thread, I had a good Preamp and was not interested in trying the Pacific without a Pre. Then one day I tried it. I was shocked at how good in my system the Pacific sounded without a Preamp. As a result, I immediately sold my Pre and I am using that money to upgrade to the Lampi Horizon.

I was fortunate enough to attend the soft launch of the Horizon in LA that was attended by Lukasz Fikus. We actually did a A/B comparison of the Horizon with a Pre and no Pre. IMO, I could not hear a difference. Others may have had different opinions. I received feedback from Rob and Fred (NA LAMPI) who attended the Tampa Audio show with Lukasz. They actually did an A/B test at the show and they were using VAC amps. They said the Horizon sounded better without a Preamp.
Given that you have a Pre already, I would go the same route as I did. Try it with a Pre for a long period of time and then try it without. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain especially if you get a Pacific with the Volume Control.

You should get a hold of Fred at North America Lampi and talk to him about his thoughts on Pre or no Pre. In my case, once I get the Horizon, if I am not happy with the sound I can always add a Pre. But I highly doubt that I will. And, it is one less component in my chain.
Thank you Willgolf for your answer. Very clear and interesting path that you have described. Congrats for your upgrade from the Pacific to the Horizon! it must be quite something. I have seen some videos of the Horizon + VAC during Axpona 2022 and the comments were all very positive.
As soon as I'm back to Europe I will book a listening session to try the Pacific in my system. I will also definitively follow Bonzo75 / Alrainbow and your advise to order the Lampi Pacific with VC for more flexibility.
 
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Sampajanna

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I am using the Pac without preamp. Wondering if adding one is worth the expensive experimentation :)
 

Stef

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I can't asse
I am using the Pac without preamp. Wondering if adding one is worth the expensive experimentation :)
I can't comment on using the Pacific with and without preamp but I never had any really satisfactory experience with other DAC that I have used (DCS Scarlatti / DCS Rossini / TAD DA1000). IMHO adding a preamp has each time enlarged the soundstage, improved the 3D and gave more cohesion to the presentation
 

Willgolf

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Jul 21, 2019
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I am using the Pac without preamp. Wondering if adding one is worth the expensive experimentation :)
As I have said many times on this forum, I am after a year with a very good Preamp using my Pacific without a Pre with great results. When I get my Horizon I will not use a Pre.

My advice to you is to borrow a Pre from a friend or a dealer and decide for yourself whether it makes a difference.
 

christoph

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Dec 11, 2015
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As I have said many times on this forum, I am after a year with a very good Preamp using my Pacific without a Pre with great results. When I get my Horizon I will not use a Pre.

My advice to you is to borrow a Pre from a friend or a dealer and decide for yourself whether it makes a difference.
Excellent advice
 

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