In search of a DAC which sounds excellent.

[L3RD]

I've compared May KTE to upgraded Mojo Audio Mystique Evo and Berkeley Audio Alpha Reference 2, I would keep the May KTE. I don't know how audiophile math translates, but people broadly report the OG Denafrips Terminator to be better than Yaggy, and the Mojo was better than the Denafrips while May KTE is better than the Mojo. Spring 3 is a different model DAC altogether, that's like using DCS Bartok's performance to approximate Vivaldi.

I haven't compared it to Lampizator, but I have auditioned the Pacific and there are aspects of it that are amazing, but there are also aspects where it falls short. I will say though, the degree to which you will be able to take advantage of higher end dacs is bottlednecked by the rest of your system. The system should be commensurate with the upgrade.

I don't think that you can better Don Sachs preamp for under 20K, from all reports the ML 27.5 is still a rock star, the speakers have some weaknesses, but their sensitivity renders them amazingly transparent. They are not the equal of my old Quad ELS57s in the beautiful mids, but they are not too far off. Anyway, if you have a well tuned system the Yggdrasil is certainly better sounding than the Spring 3 KTE. One reviewer had the Spring 3 KTE, a May KTE, and a Yggdrasil. 1-2-3, May, Yggdrasil, Spring. If you heard a Yggdrasil at X store, and a Spring at Y store you'd hear far more difference in the associated equipment than in the DACs. Even side by side in the same system they are more similar than different. What stood out for me was that instruments terminated in space sooner with the Spring KTE. I mean we're talking slight differences. Another reviewer had the Spring KTE and the May KTE, he said that between then were only minor differences. The guy with all three said the same of all 3. The BIG difference is if you want to upscale the Spring or the May to DSD, which you can't do with the Yggdrasil, but then you are stuck using ROON because HQPlayer doesn't get along with JRivers, FUBAR2000, etc. For me using ROON is just too tedious. Mind you, I am new to Roon, so I just may not understand it well. Anyway, the Spring, using HQPlayer certainly can be made to sound better than the Yggdrasil IME. On the other hand, a more seasoned user might be able to use settings for the Yggdrasil that will at least narrow the gap. So far though, I have been able to get the Spring to sound better using DSD and a couple of filters. HQPlayer, according to one reviewer, spanks Mscaler, but we know about opinions.... BTW, I have more often been mislead by the opinions of others than helped unless I know them and their predilections. It's really difficult when you can't hear gear in your own system.

 

[Argonaut]

As much as I didn't want to, I purchased a used Lampizator. That's right, laugh away. I don't like the architect, but it's difficult to argue with his results from all reports.

So let me get this straight … Having rather openly criticised Lucas on this forum and questioned his business ethic you bought into LampizatOr anyway !

 

[Al M.]

I've compared May KTE to upgraded Mojo Audio Mystique Evo and Berkeley Audio Alpha Reference 2, I would keep the May KTE. I don't know how audiophile math translates, but people broadly report the OG Denafrips Terminator to be better than Yaggy, and the Mojo was better than the Denafrips while May KTE is better than the Mojo. Spring 3 is a different model DAC altogether, that's like using DCS Bartok's performance to approximate Vivaldi.

I haven't compared it to Lampizator, but I have auditioned the Pacific and there are aspects of it that are amazing, but there are also aspects where it falls short. I will say though, the degree to which you will be able to take advantage of higher end dacs is bottlednecked by the rest of your system. The system should be commensurate with the upgrade.

I have the Yggy OG (Yggy Analog 2) and had the OG Denafrips Terminator in my system. While initially the Terminator sounds impressive, I have soon discovered that it has an artificial souped-up timbre. The Yggy sounds much more like real instruments, even though it may sound less "hi-fi spectacular". I returned the Terminator and kept the Yggy. A friend with a very high-resolution system has sold his 10 x more expensive DAC and bought the Yggy instead. Another friend auditioned expensive DACs in that price range at home and settled on the Yggy as well.

I have the impression that most people don't get out of the Yggy what it really is capable of. The right power cable can also be essential. The USB connection is inferior (except perhaps the current Unison USB); any assessment based on it is compromised. I currently use BNC from reclocker after CD transport, and used AES/EBU before. The Yggy is a high-resolution DAC. Robert Harley's review of the first generation Yggy in TAS is pretty much spot on; the Analog 2 (OG) is even better.

 

[L3RD]

So let me get this straight … Having rather openly criticised Lucas on this forum and questioned his business ethic you bought into LampizatOr anyway !

You don't have to love a particular artist as a prerequisite for purchasing their painting(s). Some of us think in logical terms rather than emotional terms.

 

[Argonaut]

Some of us think in logical terms rather than emotional terms.

I would like to consider that I have the capacity to embrace both of these human conditions, How do you rate your chances in the exceptional LampizatOr trade in program

 

[L3RD]

I have the Yggy OG (Yggy Analog 2) and had the OG Denafrips Terminator in my system. While initially the Terminator sounds impressive, I have soon discovered that it has an artificial souped-up timbre. The Yggy sounds much more like real instruments, even though it may sound less "hi-fi spectacular". I returned the Terminator and kept the Yggy. A friend with a very high-resolution system has sold his 10 x more expensive DAC and bought the Yggy instead. Another friend auditioned expensive DACs in that price range at home and settled on the Yggy as well.

I have the impression that most people don't get out of the Yggy what it really is capable of. The right power cable can also be essential. The USB connection is inferior (except perhaps the current Unison USB); any assessment based on it is compromised. I currently use BNC from reclocker after CD transport, and used AES/EBU before. The Yggy is a high-resolution DAC. Robert Harley's review of the first generation Yggy in TAS is pretty much spot on; the Analog 2 (OG) is even better.

No, I installed the Unison, not so much. I'm trying to improve upon the Yggdrasil, but I am not completely convinced that I can. I may get better this or that, but worse that and the other. Only using the USB makes the Yggdrasil vulnerable, IME. Reviewers said it bettered far more expensive DACs, I was skeptical, ones are ones, etc., but now I get it. I was having one heck of a problem with brightness on some songs, I tried multiple ICs, and nothing worked. I gave up. I recently bought some ICs from Chris VenHaus. They were amazing. Ones are ones, zeros are zeros, and if a cable has X bandwidth, it's the same as all others. Well, I thought so. I decided to purchase his coax. I had 3/4 of a stereo pair of Eichman RCAs, so I made up a digital cable. I wasn't really expecting a change, but I sure got one. I don't know how many times I have been told about this or that tweak, sarcastically said, yeah, right, only to later find out that it was right!

 

[L3RD]

I would like to consider that I have the capacity to embrace both of these human conditions, How do you rate your chances in the exceptional LampizatOr trade in program

Yeah, I am done playing Charlie Brown to Lukasz's Lucy. I live strictly in the used market. The only new DAC in my price range that really interested me was the BEST300B, and while last I knew they still have it advertised, it sounded like he's not going to be making any more, but I have a pretty poor batting average trying to sync up with Lucy... Hey, I may not even like the Lampizator, who knows? Everyone is crowing about the Spring 3 KTE, but I'd only be impressed if HQPlayer worked with JRIVERS or FUBAR2000, then it might be interesting.

 

[Al M.]

No, I installed the Unison, not so much. I'm trying to improve upon the Yggdrasil, but I am not completely convinced that I can. I may get better this or that, but worse that and the other. Only using the USB makes the Yggdrasil vulnerable, IME. Reviewers said it bettered far more expensive DACs, I was skeptical, ones are ones, etc., but now I get it. I was having one heck of a problem with brightness on some songs, I tried multiple ICs, and nothing worked. I gave up. I recently bought some ICs from Chris VenHaus. They were amazing. Ones are ones, zeros are zeros, and if a cable has X bandwidth, it's the same as all others. Well, I thought so. I decided to purchase his coax. I had 3/4 of a stereo pair of Eichman RCAs, so I made up a digital cable. I wasn't really expecting a change, but I sure got one. I don't know how many times I have been told about this or that tweak, sarcastically said, yeah, right, only to later find out that it was right!

Yes, the whole system context matters.

I have digital cables from Empirical Audio, the manufacturer of my reclocker after the CD transport (the reclocker makes a huge difference for a more natural, realistic sound). Recently I have exchanged the standard KT150 tubes in my Octave power amp for KT120 tubes, and voila, a certain thinness of sound that was there is gone. I now hear a considerably greater, more analog-like, tonal density. There is certainly no brightness.

 

[L3RD]

Yes, the whole system context matters.

I have digital cables from Empirical Audio, the manufacturer of my reclocker after the CD transport (the reclocker makes a huge difference for a more natural, realistic sound). Recently I have exchanged the standard KT150 tubes in my Octave power amp for KT120 tubes, and voila, a certain thinness of sound that was there is gone. I now hear a considerably greater, more analog-like, tonal density. There is certainly no brightness.

I love it when a system comes together for people. I used to be a detail snob. Anyone with Vandersteen 2CEs or the 3s sold when the 2CEs came out killed me. Their speakers sounded like mine with towels or something. SMH, who am I to tell others what to like? Well, regardless, I am glad that your system came together, even if you do like details! LOL

 

[Al M.]

I love it when a system comes together for people. I used to be a detail snob. Anyone with Vandersteen 2CEs or the 3s sold when the 2CEs came out killed me. Their speakers sounded like mine with towels or something. SMH, who am I to tell others what to like? Well, regardless, I am glad that your system came together, even if you do like details! LOL

Yes, but detail must be part of a natural whole. I don't like detail to be "etched".

 

[Sampajanna]

I have found that when discussing what a Lampi sounds like, you have to include the tubes used. Someones saying the Paciifc was x, y or z only matters if they list the tubes used. My pacific changes in sound significantly just by swapping rectifier tube, which is unbelievable but true.

Also, my experience with the company and its service has been stellar. That is not said to discount the OP’s experience, just stating my own experience for the record.

 

[facten]

I have found that when discussing what a Lampi sounds like, you have to include the tubes used. Someones saying the Paciifc was x, y or z only matters if they list the tubes used. My pacific changes in sound significantly just by swapping rectifier tube, which is unbelievable but true.

Spot on! I don't have a Lampi, but in my Modwright Elysee tube DAC in my 2nd system changing the rectifier from the new production 5AR4 that it came with to a NOS Philips was quite noticeable; likewise moving from the new production 6922's to NOS Mazda. No different than the impact in any other tube equipment different tubes, different presentation

 

[L3RD]

Yes, but detail must be part of a natural whole. I don't like detail to be "etched".

If your ears aren't bleeding it need work!

 

[L3RD]

I have found that when discussing what a Lampi sounds like, you have to include the tubes used. Someones saying the Paciifc was x, y or z only matters if they list the tubes used. My pacific changes in sound significantly just by swapping rectifier tube, which is unbelievable but true.

Also, my experience with the company and its service has been stellar. That is not said to discount the OP’s experience, just stating my own experience for the record.

I hope that that is everyone's experience!

 

[bonzo75]

I have found that when discussing what a Lampi sounds like, you have to include the tubes used. Someones saying the Paciifc was x, y or z only matters if they list the tubes used. My pacific changes in sound significantly just by swapping rectifier tube, which is unbelievable but true.

Also, my experience with the company and its service has been stellar. That is not said to discount the OP’s experience, just stating my own experience for the record.

What I find most disappointing is forum regulars who have read these type of messages for 5 - 6 years, still visit a Lampi at a show, or in some place they know valves are not optimized, and report back just because they own another dac. They know who they are.

 

[Sampajanna]

I feel like there is months or years of tube exploration, though refinement could be had in weeks to months. I am not investing too much in this areas, however, as I have a Horizon on order. Once that arrives, i will thoroughly enjoy slowly finding new crevices of sound through various tube combinations….

 

[bonzo75]

I feel like there is months or years of tube exploration, though refinement could be had in weeks to months. I am not investing too much in this areas, however, as I have a Horizon on order. Once that arrives, i will thoroughly enjoy slowly finding new crevices of sound through various tube combinations….

Personally I think 242, PX25, and the Lampi 45 are all that is required to immediately make it sound great, and then best optimization comes by trying different preamps till the 242 clicks.

 

[Sampajanna]

242s are impossible to find. Also, I am going to save and invest in Horizon tubes soon. Still no ETA though, but I am on the list and that is what counts

 

[bonzo75]

242s are impossible to find. Also, I am going to save and invest in Horizon tubes soon. Still no ETA though, but I am on the list and that is what counts

Save and Invest

 

[L3RD]

What I find most disappointing is forum regulars who have read these type of messages for 5 - 6 years, still visit a Lampi at a show, or in some place they know valves are not optimized, and report back just because they own another dac. They know who they are.

Well, it takes all kinds. Like would be pretty dull if we were too much alike.