Lukasz Has Done It Again

[Steve Rowan]

Good morning from sunny California!
I’ arrived at Steve William’s home yesterday. Steve and his wife have opened their beautiful home to the Lampi guys interested in the new Aphrodite DAC.

Steve’s audio den is filled with some of the best SOTA audio gear that I’ve seen collected anywhere. except for the most expensive rooms I’ve visited while attending showrooms at Axpona. What a room! Steve’s listening room not only looks like an audiophile’s dream but sounds like one too.

Yesterday I was totally mesmerized by the music emanating from Steve’s audio room and of course Lukasz”s newest creation the Aphrodite. I’ve owned 7 of Lukasz’s previous creations and this one far out shines the aesthetics of any of his previous DACs including the Horizon 360. The Aphrodite manages to keep the rugged and tough no nonsense look of the Horizon while adding a touch of the goddess’s beauty.

But how does it sound? I don’t really know what to say except the sound I heard yesterday was beyond reproach. No matter what music files we threw at his system it was always ready for more. “Yum Yum” the glowing tubular system seemed to say “feed me more”!

Today I meet more audiophiles from across the globe who will enjoy Steve’s hospitality, listening room and of course experiencing the Aphrodite.

I’m hoping to hear more new tunes I’ve not experienced before many selected by Lukasz, Fred, and others, fall further in love with the audio den that Steve built, compare the Horizon 360 to the Aphrodite, taste the delicious snacks and drinks Mrs. Williams is preparing, and perhaps do a bit of tube rolling.

That’s all for now. I’ll be sure to post an update after today’s events!!

 

[Steve Williams]

 

[Steve Williams]

 

[Steve Williams]

This promises to be a fun filled day.

Yesterday with about 6 of us we carried out some very. revealing A-B-A comparisons with Kt 88's in front or back row position on aphrodite

we also rolled in some of the tubes I used with aplomb in the H 360
and we did very careful A-B-A tests with stock rectifier and Valvo mesh plate AZ12, TFKN RGN 2004 mesh plate and Valvo G2504 mesh plate, the last 3 using TP Adapters

Time is limited now to make comments but let me at least say this.....tube rolling is certainly alive and well with the Aphrodite however I have say the before people go down that path, one must establish a guideline as to their sonic preferences with the stock tubes .

Today we are also going to be comparing XDMI vs USB

Also I have a new XDMI cable here that I have been using for the past two weeks and it is very impressive but I have not done a comparison with the KBL TOTL XDMI. We are going to do that as well

and finally we are going to do a comparison with the Aphrodite and the H360 using the stock tubes with the Aphrodite so that we will be comparing apples to apples

System is turned on and warming up and Lukasz will have a short presentation with questions and answers which Fred is going to video and create a YouTube video for everyone to watch. We will also add that video to the Lampizator WBF video channel

So stay tuned for comments and photos as the day goes on

 

[MarkusBarkus]

Lukasz will have a short presentation with questions and answers which Fred is going to video and create a YouTube video for everyone to watch. We will also add that video to the Lampizator WBF video channel

...thanks very much for that, gents.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Have a very fun event there, Steve, Lukasz and Fred!

 

[Zero000]

Should be a giggle. Curious to see the ensuing posts...

 

[Steve Williams]

 

[Steve Williams]

A terrific day. Even more attendees after this photo was taken

 

[Steve Williams]

And so the sun sets on a truly memorable day. More people attended than I expected but all went well other than a flooded toilet but quickly recognized and dealt with. Short of that everyone had ample time for listening and we also had a lot of time to A/B Aphrodite vs H360 with XDMI and then with USB

I also got to highlight a new XDMI cable that might makes its way to market

 

[Steve Williams]

The one thing I learned this weekend is tube rolling is alive and well with Aphrodite as there is no wrong answer BUT I would strongly encourage all new owners to get a strong feel for and a lengthy evaluation of the stock tubes as to what they bring to the table before descending down the rabbit hole. We had a very lengthy A-B-A test of the stock tubes vs my vintage NOS pentodes and rectifiers.

.

 

[Steve Williams]

Farewell dinner

Ruth’s Chris Newport Beach……roll me home

 

[Steve Williams]

As I've always done in our previous events, one of the highlights is always to introduce Lukasz and to let him talk about what he loves most and his talk yesterday as to the evolution and design of the Aphrodite was enjoyed by all

I post the link here for everyone inyerested

 

[Steve Williams]

This morning as we wrap things up and I take Lukasz and Fred to the airport to catch their lengthy flights home, the final adieu will be the new home of my Horizon 360 which I still maintain is magnificent DAC. We used it yesterday using the stock tubes for both DACS in an A/B/A test of both DACS and also an A/B/A with both using XDMI vs USB

The new owner is a friend and member of WBF and I am confidant that it has found a great new home

 

[Steve Williams]

Although the time was short, the hours spent in preparation were lengthy starting daily at 0530 and going to 1100 each evening

My wife who made all of the food and snacks and refreshments worked diligently for days and she always looked bright eyed and bushy tailed

Me, OTOH was totally drained after yesterday. We had a wonderful turnout and I managed to add many new files to my library which were played by members in their audition of the Aphrodite.

A huge shoutout to member Steve Rowan who continued to play one great song after another and gave me his playlist. Thank you Steve. We have talked so many times. It was finally wonderful to meet you

 

[Steve Williams]

as stated most members who attended were from all over the USA with only a few coming from local here in SoCal

The biggest shout however was to James who came all the way from China and toAndrew who came on his very first trip to the USA just to attend this event ant to meet Lukasz. Andrew cam from Poland just to hear Aphrodite and to meet Lukkasz. It turned out that he and Lukas live very close to one another in Warsaw.

It was a real pleasure for everyone who attended to meet Andrew. He goes home tomorrow and spent his first trip to the USA with us here yesterday. He was able to join us for dinner on Friday evening

 

[2ndLiner]

The one thing I learned this weekend is tube rolling is alive and well with Aphrodite as there is no wrong answer BUT I would strongly encourage all new owners to get a strong feel for and a lengthy evaluation of the stock tubes as to what they bring to the table before descending down the rabbit hole. We had a very lengthy A-B-A test of the stock tubes vs my vintage NOS pentodes and rectifiers.

.

Although the time was short, the hours spent in preparation were lengthy starting daily at 0530 and going to 1100 each evening

My wife who made all of the food and snacks and refreshments worked diligently for days and she always looked bright eyed and bushy tailed

Me, OTOH was totally drained after yesterday. We had a wonderful turnout and I managed to add many new files to my library which were played by members in their audition of the Aphrodite.

A huge shoutout to member Steve Rowan who continued to play one great song after another and gave me his playlist. Thank you Steve. We have talked so many times. I twas finally wonderful to meet you

View attachment 160818

The ultimate hostess and host! Wish I could have made it, Steve

 

[Steve Williams]

The ultimate hostess and host! Wish I could have made it, Steve

Michael. you are often on our neck of the woods visiting your family and you are always welcome here

 

[2ndLiner]

Michael. you are often on our neck of the woods visiting your family and you are always welcome here

Thank you, Steve, Iook forward to that day!

 

[John T]

Although the time was short, the hours spent in preparation were lengthy starting daily at 0530 and going to 1100 each evening

My wife who made all of the food and snacks and refreshments worked diligently for days and she always looked bright eyed and bushy tailed

Me, OTOH was totally drained after yesterday. We had a wonderful turnout and I managed to add many new files to my library which were played by members in their audition of the Aphrodite.

A huge shoutout to member Steve Rowan who continued to play one great song after another and gave me his playlist. Thank you Steve. We have talked so many times. I twas finally wonderful to meet you

View attachment 160818

Your a lucky man Steve! That is impressive with your wife handling all that she did...