LampizatOr Golden Atlantic + TRP

[arcxenos]

Can you provide a link to where you read that? I looked over the site again and didn’t see anything stating that. There is reference to “directly heated diodes” in the rectifier section of their manual. I’ve never seen a tube that has been called a “Directly Heated Pentode” as a pentode by definition has five elements- two of which are the filaments (heaters).

LampizatOr TRP — LampizatOr North America

Tube Rollers Paradise TRP LampizatOr Atlantic 2

www.lampizator.com

now that I read that URL, it seems to imply an older dac?

alot of old info floating around, the actual Lampizator site seems to have documents for TRP2

 

[Designsfx]

LampizatOr TRP — LampizatOr North America

Tube Rollers Paradise TRP LampizatOr Atlantic 2

www.lampizator.com

now that I read that URL, it seems to imply an older dac?

alot of old info floating around, the actual Lampizator site seems to have documents for TRP2

So I guess there directly heated pentodes out there but from what I’ve read they seem to be older, obscure and hard to find. There are a few articles on the web about guys who have built amps using these tubes but from what I’ve read it requires the ability to adjust voltages manually specific to the tube. I’d take this question to Lampizator as I don’t believe the newer TRP3 is setup to do this. Might be interesting to find out that it could!

 

[Socrates428]

I will jump in here and second the view on the SpaceTechLabs Super Tube Rectifiers. I use the STR 104 mk II on my Lampizator Poseidon DAC with great results. My experience has been that using the STR produces better sound than any single recti tube I have used in the Poseidon. I am currently combining a mesh type 80 rectifier tube with an 83 type mercury rectifier tube. I like to have one mercury rectifier tube in the mix because it gives a little extra body and umph to the sound while the 80 mesh tube adds finess, soundstage depth and detail, imho. Both are 5 volt filament so they can be mixed and matched (on the 120 volt version of the STR, anyway, but maybe not on the 240 volt version).

I liked the STR 104 mk II so much I decided to purchase SpaceTechLabs top preamp and amp, and another STR 1003 for the preamp. I’m glad I did because the sound I get now is the best I have ever had in my home, and perhaps the best I’ve heard anywhere. I am extremely happy with the SpaceTechLab products. I will post more about the SpaceTechLab preamp and amp in a future post in a different thread.

Thanks for sharing! I find the price of upper echelon rectifiers+adapters to be absurd, so this full wave rectifier approach is intriguing. What made you choose the STR 104 mk II over the other models? And do you find a pairing on non-mercury tubes (not gonna happen for me with kiddos...) to be significantly or marginally better then any favorite regular rectifiers straight into the DAC (sans STR104)? Thanks!

 

[AnonymousAudiophile]

Thanks for sharing! I find the price of upper echelon rectifiers+adapters to be absurd, so this full wave rectifier approach is intriguing. What made you choose the STR 104 mk II over the other models? And do you find a pairing on non-mercury tubes (not gonna happen for me with kiddos...) to be significantly or marginally better then any favorite regular rectifiers straight into the DAC (sans STR104)? Thanks!

FYI I'm using the STR102super w/ 805 and 845 tubes. Turns the DAC into a way better DAC.

 

[Socrates428]

FYI I'm using the STR102super w/ 805 and 845 tubes. Turns the DAC into a way better DAC.

Thank you, the STR1002 looks intriguing, too. What made you choose this over the STR104? Big price jump here and more heat + more expensive tubes, but I'd personally absorb that for a big jump in sound quality. I don't suppose anyone has H2H compared them on their Lampi yet???

 

[Johnax]

Thanks for sharing! I find the price of upper echelon rectifiers+adapters to be absurd, so this full wave rectifier approach is intriguing. What made you choose the STR 104 mk II over the other models? And do you find a pairing on non-mercury tubes (not gonna happen for me with kiddos...) to be significantly or marginally better then any favorite regular rectifiers straight into the DAC (sans STR104)? Thanks!

I chose the 104 mk2 model for my first order because I wasn’t too familiar with SpaceTechLab’s products and I wanted to start with a smaller investment. I was really happy with the result and so I subsequently have purchased their best amp, preamp, and the STR 1003, which I use on the preamp. I understand with children around that using mercury tubes probably doesn't make sense. You can use other tubes like the 3B22 tubes (with xenon gas instead of mercury) and still get excellent results. Or just combine regular 5 volt rectifier tubes, or use 300b or 2a3 tubes. Plenty of options. You do have to be very careful to set the filament voltage switch to the right setting, else you could blow your tube or blow up the transformer in the STR.

 

[AnonymousAudiophile]

Thank you, the STR1002 looks intriguing, too. What made you choose this over the STR104? Big price jump here and more heat + more expensive tubes, but I'd personally absorb that for a big jump in sound quality. I don't suppose anyone has H2H compared them on their Lampi yet???

STR1002 felt like the right level of investment for me. Tubes are not uber-expensive unless you want them to be. Lots of options for tube rolling, but you don't have to mess with it too much. Glad I took the plunge -- no regrets.

 

[KptZbik]

At the beginning of November, I promised myself that starting in 2026, I would stop spending money on audio gear (or at least, I’m trying to fool myself!). I had two months left to reach this goal and close it once and for all. After reading multiple threads ( and forums ) and analyzing all the information, I decided to give it a shot and contact @takacs75

His advice was to replace my current telefunken AZ1 with AZ4 and switch from Gold Lion KT66 to F2a. I finally i got it, and wow, what a transformation! The soundstage is more spacious, more details, the dynamics improved, and the vocals sound incredibly natural. The number of details is mind-blowing compared to my previous tubes. This feels like a completely different DAC now.

A huge thanks to @takacs75 for his patience, for answering all my questions, and for narrowing it down to this particular combination. His outstanding reputation is truly well deserved! What a nice person to chat with!

For anyone interested, I currently have a TRP2 and plan to upgrade to a TRP3 with Engine 11 next summer. His recomendations were also made based on that information.( the last thing i will do and due to the logistics wont be able to finish this year, an exception )

 

[budburma]

Holy Happy Days to all! Still playing in the single triode sandbox, I've picked up a few pairs of 2C26's. They can be used with the same adapters as the 2C22/7193 and have the same opposite plate/grid caps in the NA vs Euro tubes. They're interesting high pulse (500W!!) tubes used for detection and identifying aircraft (IFF-identification friend or foe) and the 2C26A is rated for high altitude use. Made by Hytron and National Union - I have WWII era pairs and I picked up a pair of STC/Footscray from the '50's. And lastly, the reported more stable Russian/Svetlana Winged C GI-3 just arrived - I haven't gotten them in play yet..

These all sound really great, with more presence and midband emphasis than the 2C22. They are less rolled off up top and the bass response is what seems to vary between brands with all of them tight and tuneful and although initially somewhat lacking gets much better with break-in. Precise imaging on a big, very stable quiet stage. Being more precise than the 2c22, they are a little less musical, but, wow, they can really soar.

 

[Beckola66]

At the beginning of November, I promised myself that starting in 2026, I would stop spending money on audio gear (or at least, I’m trying to fool myself!). I had two months left to reach this goal and close it once and for all. After reading multiple threads ( and forums ) and analyzing all the information, I decided to give it a shot and contact @takacs75

His advice was to replace my current telefunken AZ1 with AZ4 and switch from Gold Lion KT66 to F2a. I finally i got it, and wow, what a transformation! The soundstage is more spacious, more details, the dynamics improved, and the vocals sound incredibly natural. The number of details is mind-blowing compared to my previous tubes. This feels like a completely different DAC now.

A huge thanks to @takacs75 for his patience, for answering all my questions, and for narrowing it down to this particular combination. His outstanding reputation is truly well deserved! What a nice person to chat with!

For anyone interested, I currently have a TRP2 and plan to upgrade to a TRP3 with Engine 11 next summer. His recomendations were also made based on that information.( the last thing i will do and due to the logistics wont be able to finish this year, an exception )

So you still have a year left of buying gear? It’s 2025 next year

 

[budburma]

Follow up - these Petersburg Svetlana GI-3 are a different animal. More forward with gobs of detail and dynamics - very, very quiet inbetween - they only have less than a day on them, but they are really something to hear! Less soundstage width out of the box and time will tell how they settle.

I'll also echo @KptZbik , the AZ4 is a very nice rectifier! I have a '60 Vienna Valvo in rotation with a Cunningham/RCA Globe 80 and the Sophia Electric 274b - these have been my go-to's with a nice variety of character. A '50's black plate Tungsram AZ4 just landed, too, so we'll have to listen for what that brings to the table.

That leaves a pair of unused Siemens F2a for which I've lost my appetite on the table. If anyone's interested, PM me.

 

[budburma]

Sooooo, the bass with the GI-3's hasn't opened up in 100 hours or so and I'd not recommend them. I had high hopes. And so it goes!! Happy Holidays to all!

 

[budburma]

Happy New Year! I hope it's full of good movement for us all.

These 2c26 power triodes have really proven themselves to offer great sound. More dynamic than their 2c22 cousins with a tighter and livelier presentation. Crisp highs and attack, round present midrange, especially vocals and tight, tuneful bass. Accurate, linear and involving...couldn't ask for more! In my system, with an AZ4 - the Valvo Vienna is best with the Footscray STC 2C26A - it's the best I've heard. The black plate Tungram with a couple of National Union are also a great combination. Nice discovery to ring in 2025 - and they can be had very inexpensively. I picked up 4 NOS/NIB STC's for under 50 bucks delivered...and that was higher than their US counterparts!

If anyone's interested in an NOS/NIB pair of F2a's, PM me.

 

[jonstine]

At the beginning of November, I promised myself that starting in 2026, I would stop spending money on audio gear (or at least, I’m trying to fool myself!). I had two months left to reach this goal and close it once and for all. After reading multiple threads ( and forums ) and analyzing all the information, I decided to give it a shot and contact @takacs75

His advice was to replace my current telefunken AZ1 with AZ4 and switch from Gold Lion KT66 to F2a. I finally i got it, and wow, what a transformation! The soundstage is more spacious, more details, the dynamics improved, and the vocals sound incredibly natural. The number of details is mind-blowing compared to my previous tubes. This feels like a completely different DAC now.

A huge thanks to @takacs75 for his patience, for answering all my questions, and for narrowing it down to this particular combination. His outstanding reputation is truly well deserved! What a nice person to chat with!

For anyone interested, I currently have a TRP2 and plan to upgrade to a TRP3 with Engine 11 next summer. His recomendations were also made based on that information.( the last thing i will do and due to the logistics wont be able to finish this year, an exception )

I have a TRP3 w/ factory upgrades. I was running other tubes, but based on @takacs75 recommendation, I changed to a Tungsram black plate AZ4 and a quad of Siemens F2A tubes, all with his excellent adapters and grounding cable. It sounds incredible. @takacs75 is the guy that seems to have the tube rolling for Lampi DACs dialed in the best. Glad to hear you’re enjoying the tubes!

 

[budburma]

Ok, my system is being dismantled for a month while our 130 year old house get a plaster repair and paint makeover. Before I go dark, I want to say that these STC Footscray 2c26a's are really, really, really good. They are head and shoulders above the Hytrons and National Unions. of the same ilk - with and without the 'a'.

Especially with the AZ4 rectifier, the sound is increibly quiet, spacious, nuanced, extended, linear and a little warm. Just perfect for me. And, again for me, the Valvo (vienna, '60) rectifier adds more tonal density and roundness to the images imparting a more involving and transporting experience than the black plate Tungram. The Valvo is less insistent and a little less detailed, but worth it particularly where vocals are involved. With most instrumental jazz, I sort of prefer the Tungsram where the acoustic bass in particular, takes on some serious life without losing any of its woody tone.

In any case, happy new year and enjoy the tunes!

 

[Socrates428]

Holy Happy Days to all! Still playing in the single triode sandbox, I've picked up a few pairs of 2C26's. They can be used with the same adapters as the 2C22/7193 and have the same opposite plate/grid caps in the NA vs Euro tubes. They're interesting high pulse (500W!!) tubes used for detection and identifying aircraft (IFF-identification friend or foe) and the 2C26A is rated for high altitude use. Made by Hytron and National Union - I have WWII era pairs and I picked up a pair of STC/Footscray from the '50's. And lastly, the reported more stable Russian/Svetlana Winged C GI-3 just arrived - I haven't gotten them in play yet..

These all sound really great, with more presence and midband emphasis than the 2C22. They are less rolled off up top and the bass response is what seems to vary between brands with all of them tight and tuneful and although initially somewhat lacking gets much better with break-in. Precise imaging on a big, very stable quiet stage. Being more precise than the 2c22, they are a little less musical, but, wow, they can really soar.

Thanks for the review on the 2c26s. I just ordered a quad. To be clear, same wire orientation for the 2 caps up top as the 7193s? I've been looking for an economical AZ4 adapter although haven't seen one come up in months, so will try these with many other rectifiers and report.

 

[Designsfx]

Thanks for the review on the 2c26s. I just ordered a quad. To be clear, same wire orientation for the 2 caps up top as the 7193s? I've been looking for an economical AZ4 adapter although haven't seen one come up in months, so will try these with many other rectifiers and report.

@Socrates428
I believe the orientation of the cap leads will be reversed for this tube. Maybe @budburma can chime in to confirm but see the attached for reference.

 

[budburma]

Thanks for the review on the 2c26s. I just ordered a quad. To be clear, same wire orientation for the 2 caps up top as the 7193s? I've been looking for an economical AZ4 adapter although haven't seen one come up in months, so will try these with many other rectifiers and report.

@Socrates428, @Designsfx is correct, they are all reversed from the 7193. They ALL (US and Euro, so far) match the Euros versions of the 2C22/7193, also reversed from the US 7193, with the right lead to the rear/right and left to front left. I'll post some pics when I'm home to label them correctly as Plate (being tied to the lateral support rod) and Grid (tied to the center of the plate) to alleviate any confusion.

 

[budburma]

@Socrates428 - the clear best of these I've heard in the STC Footscray (FB) 2c26a - I hope you got a quad of those!

 

[budburma]

Here you go: alignment post facing camera and a close up with plate, rear right and grid, near left. Correlations as above.