Recent content by kernelbob

  1. K

    Lampizator announcement: launch of our all new TOTL HORIZON DAC

    Easy enough to test. 1) Using the normal "Out-Left" (top) and "Out-Right" (bottom), run a stereo source normally . Note the L/R position of some instruments. Using the "Sub-Out" (top) and "Sub-Out" (bottom), play the same segment. Are the L/R positions of those instruments the same? They...
  2. K

    Lampizator announcement: launch of our all new TOTL HORIZON DAC

    You may have seen my posts on various sites regarding the importance of absolute phase in high resolution systems. A scant few systems provide the capability of selecting between the two absolute phase settings for a given recording. My preamp/controller (a passive unit) was customized so that...
  3. K

    Lampizator announcement: launch of our all new TOTL HORIZON DAC

    I've read posts indicating the Horizon's two "Sub" connections are the same signal as the two adjacent "Output" connections. Does anyone know if they are exactly the same... level, sound quality, etc.?
  4. K

    Anyone have impressions of Lampizator Horizon vs. Pacific ?

    I owned the Pacific for several years and was very satisfied with it's ability to accurately generate the qualities of symphonic instruments. It was the only DAC that I had experienced that created a realistic orchestral image. I purchased the Horizon, taking advantage of the trade-in...
  5. K

    Lampizator announcement: launch of our all new TOTL HORIZON DAC

    I acquired a Sophia Aqua 274b rectifier in January 2023. Up to that point, I had experimented with several rectifiers in my Pacific and since then in my Horizon. I found that there were differences, often mixtures of pro and con. The Sophia Aqua was by comparison a stunning improvement. A...
  6. K

    Lampizator announcement: launch of our all new TOTL HORIZON DAC

    47k is a typical value in preamps. A preamp input impedance of 2k seems to be very low. Is that per phase or combined? I'll set a couple of input impedance options in my controller to those and give them a listen. Having a passive controller I have to pay attention to the input impedance of...
  7. K

    Lampizator announcement: launch of our all new TOTL HORIZON DAC

    To those who are rolling output tubes, could you publish the input impedance of your preamp/controller and whether you're running SE or balanced from the Horizon? I recently installed a quad of KT170 TungSol output tubes. I've found that the output tubes sonic profile is sensitive to changes...
  8. K

    Lampizator announcement: launch of our all new TOTL HORIZON DAC

    Hi Moladiego. The output audio signal absolute phase on my Horizon is the same as it was on my Pacific if that helps. I've found that there are some labels/performers that consistently require the phase switch to be set to "inverted" in my system. As an example, CD's on EMI with Klemperer...
  9. K

    Lampizator announcement: launch of our all new TOTL HORIZON DAC

    Unfortunately, the absolute phase can vary from one recording to the next.. So, the problem with inconsistent absolute phase isn't something that can be changed once and be done with it. A phase reversal switch, preferably on a remote, makes it easy to toggle the setting to see which is...
  10. K

    Lampizator announcement: launch of our all new TOTL HORIZON DAC

    Regarding your point #1, I also use a preamp (actually a passive controller) that includes the capability to switch absolute phase using the remote. On first hearing, the difference between correct and inverted absolute phase is subtle. However on extended listening, your ear learns to spot...
  11. K

    Lampizator announcement: launch of our all new TOTL HORIZON DAC

    We've been covering a lot of bases recently in the Horizon thread. Here's a little detour I wanted to share. I was just listening to/watching a video of the first place prize winner in The Cliburn piano contest for 2022. The performer was Yunchan Lim from South Korea (18 years old). This was...
  12. K

    Lampizator announcement: launch of our all new TOTL HORIZON DAC

    I sent my check paid in full (less Pacific trade in allowance) on December 30th. My Horizon arrived July 12th. Where else can you get the full purchase price of your previous top of the line product applied to a new model? Given the usual new product production issues; unstable supply chains...
  13. K

    Lampizator announcement: launch of our all new TOTL HORIZON DAC

    I'm using the same configuration. Horizon at 63 all the time. Attenuation by my controller (Tortuga LDRxB). The output of my Horizon is sufficient to not need an active preamp to add gain.
  14. K

    Lampizator announcement: launch of our all new TOTL HORIZON DAC

    In my system I'm feeding the output of my Horizon through a passive controller. I've compared how the two perform at max volume and as the level is reduced. Test 1 was running my Horizon at max and using the controller for attenuation. Test 2 was setting my controller to a high level (little...
  15. K

    Lampizator announcement: launch of our all new TOTL HORIZON DAC

    The tube dampers definitely helped to clean up the sound with better focus, more instrumental detail, clearer isolation of instruments, etc. Up to this point I was adding the tube dampers from the top, not requiring the Horizon to be shut down. That made is easy to quickly compare bare versus...

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