LampizatOr Horizon - Tube Rolling Paradise

[Sampajanna]

So, how do the two rectifiers differ IMO and in my system? The 2504 provides a bit more speed and snap to things (notably the leading edges of transients) and additional clarity to the sonics. Bass notes with the 2504 have a similar quality, with slightly more front punch. The 2004 mesh, by contrast, has a bit more bloom (i.e. warmth), evident in the duration of the sustain in trailing edges of voices and woodwind instruments, and slightly more ethereal/atmospheric elements in musical pieces that have introduced an echo affect or are recorded in venues which provide it naturally. Voices have a bit more mid-range heft and bass has slighly more plump.

We’ll put indeed. Exactly how I feel. Are you using Ecc32 drivers? Mullard?

 

[John T]

I have a Telefunken 2004 (purchased from Laszlo) Solid Plate and a Valvo 2504 also solid plate. I have multiple backups, if anyone is interested PM me. I would like to sell them together...

 

[Steve Williams]

I have a Telefunken 2004 (purchased from Laszlo) Solid Plate and a Valvo 2504 also solid plate. I have multiple backups, if anyone is interested PM me. I would like to sell them together...

What are you switching to John

 

[rspyder]

We’ll put indeed. Exactly how I feel. Are you using Ecc32 drivers? Mullard?

Yes, the Mullard ECC 32 is my preferred tube in the converter seats.

 

[ctydwn]

enjoy swapping back and forth between the 2004/2504 as well. rspyder description excellent. love the Mullard ECC32s particularly with the OS1s as well, with still a slight preference for the quad of c3gs in triode position w mixed pentode combo, as everyday go to.

 

[John T]

What are you switching to John

Not really switching Steve. I got bit with the "tube bug" a couple years back and I Blame each and everyone of you for infecting me!! I remember when I became interested in the Horizon. I never had a tube component in my life. That's when many of you lit the fuse!! When I found something I liked I went overboard acquiring multiple backups. I bought several from you. OS1's, 6SN7 GT Round Plates and I'm probably forgetting some. I now have a formidable collection. Not quite as large as @ctydwn!

The 2 that I mentioned (2504 and 2004) I think I have sold to a local guy...

 

[Steve Williams]

It is an infectious bug. Like you I have my preferred tube kits with sufficient back up so I’m in a good place now as well

 

[adamaley]

The most meaningful rectifier tube upgrade one can make to a Lampizator DAC will cause those on here with tuberollculosis to declare self-quarantine.

I myself consider the Valvo G2504 solid plate in my Pacific to be the pinnacle of conventional rectification. I believe I have tried more rectifiers than most.

Close to a year ago, I came to the realization that outboard rectification beats using any 5U4G variant in the DAC. I wasn't prepared to share this on forums because I took a self imposed hiatus from audio, and couldn't completely explore my findings.

Thanks to headphones, and a foray into a tube world of half wave rectifiers formerly unbeknownst to me, the sound has finally significantly surpassed that of the Valvo G2504.

This post by user Groovysauce is what drew me to the Space Tech Labs STR(Super Tube Rectifier):
Post in thread 'LampizatOr Golden Atlantic + TRP' https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/lampizator-golden-atlantic-trp.27809/post-961679

This device opens up the possibility to roll
805, 845, 211, 1616, 836 tubes.

Most importantly, you can now use gas filled tubes such as the mercury laden 866a, 575a, which I'm shying away from for now. Xenon baddies like the 4B32, 3B25, 3B22, 3B28, etc. A Cetron 4B32 combined with a Linlai 845 finally got me beyond the level of the Valvo G2504. Recently combining the Cetron 4B32 with a pair of RCA 3B25 has brought even more to the pleasure zone.

 

[2ndLiner]

UNDERSTATEMENT ALERT!!!

"I believe I have tried more rectifiers than most."

 

[John T]

Another nice rectifier which is difficult to find is Telefunken AZ12 Mesh Plate. I only have one...I do have several solid plate..

 

[Blake]

The most meaningful rectifier tube upgrade one can make to a Lampizator DAC will cause those on here with tuberollculosis to declare self-quarantine.

I myself consider the Valvo G2504 solid plate in my Pacific to be the pinnacle of conventional rectification. I believe I have tried more rectifiers than most.

Close to a year ago, I came to the realization that outboard rectification beats using any 5U4G variant in the DAC. I wasn't prepared to share this on forums because I took a self imposed hiatus from audio, and couldn't completely explore my findings.

Thanks to headphones, and a foray into a tube world of half wave rectifiers formerly unbeknownst to me, the sound has finally significantly surpassed that of the Valvo G2504.

This post by user Groovysauce is what drew me to the Space Tech Labs STR(Super Tube Rectifier):
Post in thread 'LampizatOr Golden Atlantic + TRP' https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/lampizator-golden-atlantic-trp.27809/post-961679

This device opens up the possibility to roll
805, 845, 211, 1616, 836 tubes.

Most importantly, you can now use gas filled tubes such as the mercury laden 866a, 575a, which I'm shying away from for now. Xenon baddies like the 4B32, 3B25, 3B22, 3B28, etc. A Cetron 4B32 combined with a Linlai 845 finally got me beyond the level of the Valvo G2504. Recently combining the Cetron 4B32 with a pair of RCA 3B25 has brought even more to the pleasure zone.

Thanks for the report! What specific model STR did you purchase?

 

[adamaley]

Thanks for the report! What specific model STR did you purchase?

I got the STR-1002. There's a decware forum thread where there's a ton of feedback from folks with mine and other models. It's easy to find with a search and definitely worth checking out.

 

[Blake]

I got the STR-1002. There's a decware forum thread where there's a ton of feedback from folks with mine and other models. It's easy to find with a search and definitely worth checking out.

PM sent

 

[Sampajanna]

A separate device that lets us explore more tubes and their effects…. I’m intrigued!

 

[Steve Williams]

A separate device that lets us explore more tubes and their effects…. I’m intrigued!

and so it begins...........Adam, you have just released a monster

 

[adamaley]

Haha. The rabbit hole turns into the upside down

 

[Steve Williams]

I’ve got to sit this dance out Adam.

Sampajanna might just become the next king of rectifier rolling. It’s either the upside down or the in-out but not a hole I want to find myself in.

 

[Sampajanna]

I’ve got to sit this dance out Adam.

Sampajanna might just become the next king of rectifier rolling. It’s either the upside down or the in-out but not a hole I want to find myself in.

Haha fair enough. We all have our rabbit holes…. If you aren’t switching something or planning to improve something, you probably arent an audiophile… For me, switching other gear feels stressful and sometimes frustrating. I am less inclined to try amps, speakers, etc. I have found the cables I like…. But swapping tubes, hearing the nuanced differences, watching the different ways they glow, learning about their history and heritage, touching old things—this all brings me joy. I love it!!! And it scratches all my itches so I dont drool at TTs too much I have found, and this is just my own insight, that I often just want different, and at the level we are all at, the “better” is often by a shade or a color, and other times is just different…

 

[Steve Williams]

Haha fair enough. We all have our rabbit holes…. If you aren’t switching something or planning to improve something, you probably arent an audiophile… For me, switching other gear feels stressful and sometimes frustrating. I am less inclined to try amps, speakers, etc. I have found the cables I like…. But swapping tubes, hearing the nuanced differences, watching the different ways they glow, learning about their history and heritage, touching old things—this all brings me joy. I love it!!! And it scratches all my itches so I dont drool at TTs too much I have found, and this is just my own insight, that I often just want different, and at the level we are all at, the “better” is often by a shade or a color, and other times is just different…

There was a time…,,, a long time ago in a galaxy far away that I felt like you. My user name
used to be “ ultimate tweak” but I soon found the things that gave me the greatest pleasure so I beg to differ with your definition of an audiophile We come in different flavors. I don’t deny your zeal but to me I consider you more of a hobbyist. I consider an audiophile someone who plays his system to listen to the music. Others however are playing their music to listen to their system. There are things that definitely interest me but having 100 different rectifiers to play and to see how they glow isn’t my gig. I like to find the best for my ears and then move on as I enjoy my choice . But to each our own. It’s all good. Whatever floats your boat. I’m happy for you but you should rethink your definition of an audiophile as you just might find yourself never discovering what really floats your boat. That’s what brings true happiness. for me in this hobby

 

[Sampajanna]

Well said. I think it should go without saying music first—and lost/immersed in music above that, of course. I admire your definition. And I have months of no movement in my system (sometimes years), just musical bliss. Also, in the day to day, it’s all about new albums, listening to tracks, etc... But then, I do also love gear. I do. And I do sometimes use music to hear gear. I have a list of tracks dedicated to that. Don’t most of us? I am sure you have upgraded things in your system since the day you stopped tweaking, aside from the new speakers you just got. I am sure there are upgrades you would jump on and try (a new Taiko announcement for example?), though they may not be rectifier related. And I am sure that when that upgrade arrived, you would use music to listen to your system (i.e. test the new piece of gear and what it can do). If it were all music, there would be no What’s Best forum, as much simpler and cheaper set ups can get you fully immersed, not to mention the fact that you could see live concerts several days a week all year long for the price of our gear…. For me, I want to enjoy the upgrade process itself. I want to have fun when I change gear, as much fun as possible—as much as I have with the music. If that makes me a hobbyist so be it. I am that then. I love hifi gear. I love hearing it in many combinations and learning the differences. I also like relaxing and exploring music, forgetting all about the gear. But the gear is decidedly not just a tool to music for me. I don’t think great musicians feel that way about their instruments either. For example, Jerry was a huge guitar geek, reading and learning about new tech all the time and participating in the creation of new guitars all the time…. I am sure owners of old, rare violins don’t just regard them as useful tools to music, but rather as heritage and depth in and of themselves, even when they are quiet… I sometimes peek in my listening room and admire things when it is off and i dont have time, remembering past bliss and looking forward to future sits…. All just my two cents….