Lukasz Has Done It Again

[LampiNA]

What a fantastic weekend. I want to sincerely thank everyone who took the time out of their busy schedules to join us for the Aphrodite Launch Party. The event went beautifully: equal parts engaging, educational, and just plain fun.

A very special thank-you to Steve and Kathy Williams, who were the most gracious hosts imaginable. Their hospitality, warmth, and attention to every detail set the perfect tone for the evening. Hearing the Aphrodite in Steve’s incredible system was nothing short of revelatory — its musicality, scale, and transparency exceeded even my expectations.

As I type this, the Aphrodite destined for my own demo room (and for Capital Audiofest next week) is literally out for delivery. Those attending CAF will have the opportunity to experience it firsthand, sourced by our LampizatOr Gulfstream music server and paired with VAC Statement amplification and Gershman Acoustics' new Statement loudspeakers.

Thanks again to everyone who came out and helped make this launch so memorable. I look forward to seeing many of you again in Rockville next week!

— Fred A.

 

[ticktock]

What a great day it was to see everyone and listen to a world-class audio system! My thanks as well to our fantastic hosts, Steve and Kathy. And to Lukasz and Fred for introducing us to their latest and greatest, the Aphrodite. There's not much more I can add to all the glowing remarks. But I would hasten to say that as impressive as the H360 has been and remains today, the way the Aphrodite can shape each individual note so cleanly, so precisely was amazing to behold. And, oh my, the prodigious yet controlled bass. Those are my lasting impressions. Steve, your system sets such a high bar mine will probably never reach, but that won't stop me from aspiring!

 

[Lukasz "Lampizator" Fikus]

I cant find it but SOMEONE on this thread inquired about a silver Aphrodite.
I was surprised by the fact that we just got one fully done silver chassis. Just testing carefully how it looks.
So if you feel like silver sahara look - this one is for you. The next silver is possible in February - such is our latency for metal cutting.

 

[shadowlight]

On iphone no luck
Android tablet no luck

Unfortunately, the export function is only available via the desktop app

 

[shadowlight]

I hope @Steve Rowan does not mind but I took his shared playlist and converted into Qobuz playlist using tune my music website

Qobuz - https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/43187398

Deezer - https://link.deezer.com/s/31vPmBsWGHt1BE0f8gynO (not everything came across, so need to manually review and add. I will do that later tonight.

I do not have a Tidal account so unable to generate Tidal specific playlist.

Edit: For Roon to see the playlist you will need to mark it as favorite under Qobuz add. Roon, does not allow you to search for public Qobuz playlist.

 

[RickyV]

I hope @Steve Rowan does not mind but I took his shared playlist and converted into Qobuz playlist using tune my music website

Qobuz - https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/43187398

Deezer - https://link.deezer.com/s/31vPmBsWGHt1BE0f8gynO (not everything came across, so need to manually review and add. I will do that later tonight.

I do not have a Tidal account so unable to generate Tidal specific playlist.

Edit: For Roon to see the playlist you will need to mark it as favorite under Qobuz add. Roon, does not allow you to search for public Qobuz playlist.

Thanks a lot @shadowlight and @Steve Rowan for the playlist and Qobuz link, very much appreciated.

 

[Holli82]

What a fantastic weekend. I want to sincerely thank everyone who took the time out of their busy schedules to join us for the Aphrodite Launch Party. The event went beautifully: equal parts engaging, educational, and just plain fun.

A very special thank-you to Steve and Kathy Williams, who were the most gracious hosts imaginable. Their hospitality, warmth, and attention to every detail set the perfect tone for the evening. Hearing the Aphrodite in Steve’s incredible system was nothing short of revelatory — its musicality, scale, and transparency exceeded even my expectations.

As I type this, the Aphrodite destined for my own demo room (and for Capital Audiofest next week) is literally out for delivery. Those attending CAF will have the opportunity to experience it firsthand, sourced by our LampizatOr Gulfstream music server and paired with VAC Statement amplification and Gershman Acoustics' new Statement loudspeakers.

Thanks again to everyone who came out and helped make this launch so memorable. I look forward to seeing many of you again in Rockville next week!

— Fred A.

see you next week Fred!

 

[Steve Rowan]

I hope @Steve Rowan does not mind but I took his shared playlist and converted into Qobuz playlist using tune my music website

Qobuz - https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/43187398

Deezer - https://link.deezer.com/s/31vPmBsWGHt1BE0f8gynO (not everything came across, so need to manually review and add. I will do that later tonight.

I do not have a Tidal account so unable to generate Tidal specific playlist.

Edit: For Roon to see the playlist you will need to mark it as favorite under Qobuz add. Roon, does not allow you to search for public Qobuz playlist.

Oh. Thanks a lot. I didn’t think of turning it into a Quboz playlist. Then I believe you can turn that into a ROON playlist.(at least that’s what I’ did with Fred’s Lampi playlist!! Good job.
ROON really should make this easier.

 

[Paul1960]

I hope @Steve Rowan does not mind but I took his shared playlist and converted into Qobuz playlist using tune my music website

Qobuz - https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/43187398

Deezer - https://link.deezer.com/s/31vPmBsWGHt1BE0f8gynO (not everything came across, so need to manually review and add. I will do that later tonight.

I do not have a Tidal account so unable to generate Tidal specific playlist.

Edit: For Roon to see the playlist you will need to mark it as favorite under Qobuz add. Roon, does not allow you to search for public Qobuz playlist.

Here is the playlist on Tidal. A handful of tracks didn't transfer over.

https://tidal.com/playlist/8b1ae213-e2f1-4f06-8da4-aed1c8d9d2a1

 

[Steve Rowan]

I hope @Steve Rowan does not mind but I took his shared playlist and converted into Qobuz playlist using tune my music website

Qobuz - https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/43187398

Deezer - https://link.deezer.com/s/31vPmBsWGHt1BE0f8gynO (not everything came across, so need to manually review and add. I will do that later tonight.

I do not have a Tidal account so unable to generate Tidal specific playlist.

Edit: For Roon to see the playlist you will need to mark it as favorite under Qobuz add. Roon, does not allow you to search for public Qobuz playlist.

Thanks for the playlist conversions. I don’t mind at all. I hope you all enjoy the music.

 

[shadowlight]

Oh. Thanks a lot. I didn’t think of turning it into a Quboz playlist. Then I believe you can turn that into a ROON playlist.(at least that’s what I’ did with Fred’s Lampi playlist!! Good job.
ROON really should make this easier.

Since, I do not have a local music I avoid creating Roon specific playlist and just create Qobuz one. It allows me to look at the playlist when visiting friends place when we get together, otherwise I have to take screenshot of the playlist to take along with me.

 

[findog]

I use Tidal playlists as they import and sync to Roon if I add songs. I can transfer them to other services via soundizz.

 

[LampiNA]

I am pleased to report that I took delivery of my demo Aphrodite yesterday evening. She is singing incredibly right off the bat and I plan to log as many hours as possible ahead of Capital AudioFest next week.

 

[Nsxturbo]

I am pleased to report that I took delivery of my demo Aphrodite yesterday evening. She is singing incredibly right off the bat and I plan to log as many hours as possible ahead of Capital AudioFest next week.

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Looking impressive with the full balanced tube complement Fred! I’m sure sounding as equally impressive!

 

[LampiNA]

Looking impressive with the full balanced tube complement Fred! I’m sure sounding as equally impressive!

Very much so, and I've got a 'dumbed down' version of my system up as much of my equipment (Westminster REIs for example) are packed for Capital AudioFest. I couldn't stop listening last night with a modest Acoustic Invader Class D amp! This DAC brings a LOT to the table.

 

[Zero000]

Cathode-Grid-Anode.

In other words, triodes.

All things being equal the simplest solution is the best.

Throw everything else you can get away with throwing away, away.

Lest having extra shit in it can be justified as being better.

There is a lot of complexity in this design as far as I can gather.

That doesn't mean it is bad or great. But it does mean it is more complex.

Make of that what you will.

I will say in terms of real world experience that Ked's Russian KT based monos we tried a good while back have a nice, calm, easy going sound I would expect to hear from this DAC. Because that is the personality of these recent high power Rusky tubes.

So it isn't a bad choice even if rolling options are a bit limited in terms of technically optimal fitments.

That said it's still bonkers. Small signals and huge valves do provide massive headroom so it is an interesting path to explore.

 

[Sampajanna]

The only thing I have not discussed but will after others who attended get a change to post their observation is "tube rolling"

As I have said before tube rolling is alive and well with Aphrodite

On Friday afternoon there were 8 of us who spent 3-4 hours doing an A-B=A test on the stock tubes vs my stash of NOS vintage tubes in the power and output sections of Aphrodite as well as comparing my rectifiers against the stock rectifiers provided

What I will say is how important it is to do an A-B-A rather than an A-B test when tube rolling to make a true evaluation

Also we did an A-B-A test changing the KT88 stock tubes from front to back row of Aphrodite (back row is power and front row is output)...That was a true revelation as was tube rolling the entire afternoon

Yay! Thanks so much Steve for testing and leading the way. The event looks like it was marvelous. I hope to attend one some day!

 

[Steve Williams]

I’ve spent the last few days rolling tubes and I will comment shortly The reality is after all is said and done is there is no right answer. It’s what is pleasing to your ear


Tube rolling is alive and well for Aphrodite. I’ve lived with the Goddess of Love for a month now and am prepared to discuss MY thoughts and findings. in tube rolling. I’m sure others will find their own paths Aphrodite is a remarkable DAC that will provide great listening for all users

 

[LR319]

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

Can you share more info about the new XDMI cable ? Tks.

 

[Lukasz "Lampizator" Fikus]

I am pleased to report that I took delivery of my demo Aphrodite yesterday evening. She is singing incredibly right off the bat and I plan to log as many hours as possible ahead of Capital AudioFest next week.

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Thats one heavy rack of a source !