Wow I was not expecting this. I compared my Auralic Vega (original) to the Baltic 4 and the Vega beat the pants off the Lampi.
I was expecting it. On the bright side, now you know they don’t all sound the same.Wow I was not expecting this. I compared my Auralic Vega (original) to the Baltic 4 and the Vega beat the pants off the Lampi.
Another friend of mine has the Holo May and another one has the RME. DAC Shootout!! LOLI was expecting it. On the bright side, now you know they don’t all sound the same.
You’ve said you’d spend up to $5k. There are some very nice DACs available for $4k and up.
Right now I’m listening to the McIntosh MDA200. Why would I do this since I have a dCS Rossini in the same system?
Because I want to listen to The David Hazeltine Trio’s album Joabim Songbook. It’s not on Qobuz so I’m streaming it from Amazon HiRez. Roon and Mosaic do not play nicely with Amazon, so I’m streaming from a Bluesound Node into the MDA200, controlled by BluOS on my tablet. I could run the Node into the Rossini, but I’m too lazy, and the MDA200…….? it sounds great.
The Holo Audio May is about $5k. Those are very nice too. PS Audio probably has some nice options too
Roon compatibility (Roon Ready is better than Roon tested) is a big plus.
BluOS is more user friendly than HEOS, or MOSAIC.
Lampizator is a niche market.
Don’t overthink this. Digital is moving so fast that you’re going to upgrade in five years anyway.
If you end up considering the PS Audio offering, don’t forget that you can trade working old gear during a trial period. You don’t send your trade to them until you’re satisfied with their new gear.Another friend of mine has the Holo May and another one has the RME. DAC Shootout!! LOL
Same song via AVM Pre/DAC, thoughts?
The best value will be Starkrimson Pecanpi+ which cost 900$.
It sounds close to Dave (modified with three Farad Lps) and Mscaler which cost 20k$.
Thus you had better be in line for tour of Pecanpi+ for home audition.
It may sound better than Vega and it also streams.
https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/thre...adphone-amp-tour.1175470/page-3#post-32268078
Thomas
Same song via AVM Pre/DAC, thoughts?
Last edited: Today at 8:33 AMI do not think Pecanpi+ as Dac sounds better than Dave (modified with three Farad Lps) and Mscaler.
But it sounds close to the latter at 1/20 cost.
What did you use to record it?
For comparison I upload the one from
Dave (modified with three Farad Lps) and Mscaler which cost 20k$.
Last edited: Today at 8:33 AM
Coinsidering upgrading from my original Auralic Vega DAC. My budget is $5K which can be for a preowned or new DAC. I run Roon Rock on an intel Nuc and Quobuz streaming. My system electronics are CJ ET5 and P12's. Advice is appreciated. Thank You
DAC's come in many flavors and colors. (musically speaking).I was expecting it. On the bright side, now you know they don’t all sound the same.
You’ve said you’d spend up to $5k. There are some very nice DACs available for $4k and up.
Right now I’m listening to the McIntosh MDA200. Why would I do this since I have a dCS Rossini in the same system?
Because I want to listen to The David Hazeltine Trio’s album Joabim Songbook. It’s not on Qobuz so I’m streaming it from Amazon HiRez. Roon and Mosaic do not play nicely with Amazon, so I’m streaming from a Bluesound Node into the MDA200, controlled by BluOS on my tablet. I could run the Node into the Rossini, but I’m too lazy, and the MDA200…….? it sounds great.
The Holo Audio May is about $5k. Those are very nice too. PS Audio probably has some nice options too
Roon compatibility (Roon Ready is better than Roon tested) is a big plus.
BluOS is more user friendly than HEOS, or MOSAIC.
Lampizator is a niche market.
Don’t overthink this. Digital is moving so fast that you’re going to upgrade in five years anywa DAC's come in many flavors and shades of colors.
I dont recall saying it was bright. After 3 listening sessions I find that the Lampi needs about 3 hours minimum to settle. It was better when given appropriate time to warm up. But the best of the three was the Holo May KTE.DAC's come in many flavors and colors. (musically speaking).
Environmental spaces add their own signature to the audible results.
And further, listener preferences play a major part in reproduced musical perceptions.
There are so many variables.
With all that said, I find your comment on the Lampizator Baltic4 curious.
I have heard many opinions on the B4 but "on the bright side" has not been one of them.
Ayon CD5s. It is a cd player, a DAC and a preamp...used for around $4K.Coinsidering upgrading from my original Auralic Vega DAC. My budget is $5K which can be for a preowned or new DAC. I run Roon Rock on an intel Nuc and Quobuz streaming. My system electronics are CJ ET5 and P12's. Advice is appreciated. Thank You
I have to agree with Skip. Since you are streaming then making sure your network is as good as possible will reap major sonic reward. If you have already invested in the network then upgrade the DAC. Otherwise even a great DAC is going to be choked by the network. $5K would go a long way toward improving your network. Network switch, LPS, Aardvark, Ethernet cable, clock, etc.While you can improve your sound considerably with a new Dac in that price range, I’d recommend dealing with your network and streaming solution first. The Silent Angel line has an array of products that can make that Vega sound like a new Dac and remove some bottlenecks should you decide to upgrade later on.
Bright side does not refer to the sound. It refers to the fact that it is a positive thing to have learned. Perhaps it is an American idiom.DAC's come in many flavors and colors. (musically speaking).
Environmental spaces add their own signature to the audible results.
And further, listener preferences play a major part in reproduced musical perceptions.
There are so many variables.
With all that said, I find your comment on the Lampizator Baltic4 curious.
I have heard many opinions on the B4 but "on the bright side" has not been one of them.
That is solid advice. I would like to recommend basing the system on Roon. It's a great, convenient solution, that got me addicted. It would require a PC, or Mac to run on, but that computer can be hidden anywhere in the house, and doesn't need to stay near audio. As it shouldn't.I have to agree with Skip. Since you are streaming then making sure your network is as good as possible will reap major sonic reward. If you have already invested in the network then upgrade the DAC. Otherwise even a great DAC is going to be choked by the network. $5K would go a long way toward improving your network. Network switch, LPS, Aardvark, Ethernet cable, clock, etc.
One thing to consider in a DAC is does it have Clock in or out. If you get a network switch with a clock in then you can run both the DAC and Switch off the same clock which will greatly improve sonics.
I think for streaming it is important to think of the network and DAC as whole ecosystem.
I'm sure your local dealer will be happy to lend you some gear for an audition. Make up your own mind with testsThe network upgrade is one Ive been struggling with. I have a buddy that I consider a Guru when it comes to the techy stuff and his opinion is that it is BS. I have verizon service and a fairly new router that is 3 years old, and NAS. I ethernet to my Roon Rock.
MYbad. After re-reading the post in question I now see that you were referring to the fact that there was experience gained from an experimental situation.Bright side does not refer to the sound. It refers to the fact that it is a positive thing to have learned. Perhaps it is an American idiom.
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