I noticed in the WTB classifieds that there's a GG SE with Engine 11-P for sale. I didn't know the 11-P was available for the GG. Anyone know how it sounds different than the E-11? The Lampi price list describes the GG as "a bit cooler, more neutral." Is the 11-P warmer?
Lampizator Golden Gate 3 Impressions
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My GG3 also has Engine 11-P rather than the standard Engine 11. I have no idea how E11 compares sonically to E11-P, but 11-P is double the cost, so presumably sonically superior? Who knows.
Aside from Lukasz and others at the factory, I'm guessing there are precious few who would have first-hand experience comparing both engines in the same DAC/system. But if someone on WBF does have experience, I'd also be curious for impressions.
Aside from Lukasz and others at the factory, I'm guessing there are precious few who would have first-hand experience comparing both engines in the same DAC/system. But if someone on WBF does have experience, I'd also be curious for impressions.
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Engine 11 is a rather sophisticated DAC board, with 8 separate grounds and 8 separate supplies and regulators and rectifiers.
The regular 11 is like "make it as simple as possible" and the 11P is like "make it the best you possibly can, money is no object". It results in more sophisticated, more advanced sound, that tastes like an expensive wine. It is better but noone knows exactly why.
The regular 11 is like "make it as simple as possible" and the 11P is like "make it the best you possibly can, money is no object". It results in more sophisticated, more advanced sound, that tastes like an expensive wine. It is better but noone knows exactly why.
Thanks, Lukasz. The question I have remaining comes from that description of the GG3 on page 3 of the price list: “a bit cooler, more neutral." Does the 11P change that relative to the E11? Or is that description driven by some other aspect of the design relative to other models?
Btw, both the GG3 and Big7 Mk3 descriptions are cut off on the price list (p.3).
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Hi guys, looking for some advice. I recently had a Baltic 3 which blew my mind. It was visceral and lifelike. I sold it for a Golden Gate 1 (which was later updated by Lampizator in 2021).
While this GG1 gives my a wider, larger more open airy soundstage, it's not a match for what the BB3 did in terms of grabbing you by the b*lls pulling you into the music. Currently running the Emission Labs 5U4G mesh plate rectifier and 4 KR Audio 4A3's.
Can i achieve that magic again with the GG1?
While this GG1 gives my a wider, larger more open airy soundstage, it's not a match for what the BB3 did in terms of grabbing you by the b*lls pulling you into the music. Currently running the Emission Labs 5U4G mesh plate rectifier and 4 KR Audio 4A3's.
Can i achieve that magic again with the GG1?
You will have to try different valves. PX25, 242, PX4.
The GGs had variable gain depending on valve used and often valve combined with preamp could sometimes sound limpid or sometimes overdrive, so you had to try different valves and when right ones slotted in it would be magic .
Thanks @bonzo75 . I think the B3 had very high output gain, so it gave you that sense a live event. I can tell the GG1 has much less gain.
That is variable on the valve, so you will get different results with different valves, but mainly try those three I mentioned
Mine was the Atlantic TRP, eventually up to e-11, and the GG2, then 3 mod, was much better than the TRP. Especially, after some tube rolling.
What is it about the Baltic that you would choose it instead of upgrading the GG1 to a 3?
Gotta agree with @highstream about upgrading the GG.
You said iit was updated in 2021. To which digital engine? My GG was an R2R design and so the switch to the Baltic 3 was something of a revelation.
You said iit was updated in 2021. To which digital engine? My GG was an R2R design and so the switch to the Baltic 3 was something of a revelation.
EDIT: Looks like Agent86 and myself posted at the same time, same question
What updates did the factory do to your GG in 2021? I assume a digital engine upgrade?
I was told by the seller when i bought it that the digital engine wasn't upgraded, and the plaque on the back of the unit reflects that. I believe it had some caps and analogue section upgrades.
Don't get me wrong. This GG1 is nice a DAC and does a few things better than the B3. Especially through the midrange - it's purer. But what it lacks is the drive through the bass and mid bass, visceral impact and the sense of a live event. And the most important factor for me, the fun factor. It's a tad boring. So GG1 is nice, but a bit meh. The B3 grabs you by the collar, whispers dirty things in your ear and drags you into the performance.
Don't get me wrong. This GG1 is nice a DAC and does a few things better than the B3. Especially through the midrange - it's purer. But what it lacks is the drive through the bass and mid bass, visceral impact and the sense of a live event. And the most important factor for me, the fun factor. It's a tad boring. So GG1 is nice, but a bit meh. The B3 grabs you by the collar, whispers dirty things in your ear and drags you into the performance.
What makes you think the GG3 resembles the GG1? Is FOTU at work here? Look at that chart as a representation of what the designer thinks: not that the Baltic 4 is a bad dac by any means, but relatively speaking it's not sonically in the ballpark with the GG3. And I suspect -- my experience -- that chart understates the GG3's potential, when well rolled. Me thinks you need to talk to Rob, Ernie and/or Lukasz.
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I saw the chart and i can only tell you what i'm hearing here and what i'm feeling. Even my wife, who's far from an audiophile can tell the difference. There's just something missing with this GG1 that the B3 had in spades.
What does the GG3 do over the GG1?
I have contacted the Australian distributor and will chat to him on Monday.
I can only compare the GG2 and GG3 vs the TRP 2 and 3, the latter considered one of the flagships of Lampi's line. Both GG's provided sonic improvement in every way. What you seem to be missing is that the GG3 is not an incremental improvement over the 1 -- a little better this and that in parts -- but in many ways is a fundamental rebuild, based on a new engine and a redesign, among other things. That said, the GG is a SET design and the TRP another type. People more familiar technically can explain the electronic and sonic differences inherent in each. Lukasz retired the SET design as a mainline item because he came to see that he had gone as far with its basic design as he could (which is not to say there won't be improvements as spinoffs from developments with other models).
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Reading the B3 manual, a quote that rings true is, "Generally - we prefer the sound of the DAC with high output levels". I'm no electronic engineer, but from experience with my bass guitar rig and gain staging, that higher output/gain coming from the B3 is what is contributing to the sound i describe. The GG1 has much less output gain, so it lacks that punch (even when turned up on my amplifier).
The KR PX25 and the KR 242 are still among my absolute top favorite tubes (in my GG 1.9, then Pacific 1 and now Pacific 2)
But I never really warmed up to the PX4
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