Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

I believe that the Rowland amp that replaced the Lampi was the newly redesigned M625 S2. Same amp used in Jeff's own uber system at the Rowland factory which Matt listened to.

G.

Bill, I heard different reports.
I was told that the 211amps had tube damage and was taken out as they had no spares on hand.

I read great room feedback using BOTH amps.

See some feedback below at Audio circle:
My friend entered the room so I followed not overly interested as it wasn't on my "list".
In all honesty best sound.
This was the setup I heard (211 amps pictured).

Stereophile:
Stereophile kicks off our feedback with some nice observations from JVS.

Backed by mood lighting that continually changed color, albeit not in synch with musical content, LampizatOr North America partnered with a number of other companies to present a most imposing system. Thanks to room treatment from Resolution Acoustics, whose proprietor, Bart Andeer, specializes in custom-made acoustic panels tailored to unique listening environments, the system graced recordings by Frank Sinatra, Gillian Welch, and Beck with a beautifully even gorgeous midrange and lovely warmth.

Doing the honors were, when I listened, were Vapor Audio's Perfect Storm White loudspeakers ($45,000/pair), which were debuting in final form after shipping snafus at AXPONA), and Vapor Audio's Forge Aluminum rack ($5999); LampizatOr's Golden Gate Balanced DAC ($19,800), which made its world premiere, and LampizatOr's 211 Balanced mono tube amplifiers ($11,000/pair); a complete complement of Verastarr Grand Illusion cabling plus their Nemesis USB; VH Audio Plasmatron 3-tube power conditioner ($3999); Zen Wave Audio SurgeX SEQ power conditioner ($1999); and Resolution Acoustics room treatment (approx. $43,000 total). Note that Andeer is poised to relaunch Resolution Acoustics with exceedingly lower cost treatment that will make his services far more available to audiophiles who find the best of equipment and intentions sabotaged by nasty nodes of one sort or another.

Later in the show, the LamizatOr tube monoblocks were replaced by a big Jeff Rowland solid-state stereo amp. Alas, there were too many rooms I had to cover to allow a return visit.

Tyson (Acircle and AVShowrroms raved about the Rowland setup:

This room blew my mind. Quite simply put This was the best overall room again for me. I make special mention of the room treatments by Resolution Acoustics because this room had the best bass control, image focus, and dynamics I have heard at RMAF and I know a big part of that is the detailed work Resolution put into the treatment of the room. Other rooms like JTR did a great job of bass management, but didn't quite hit the mark on imaging or other factors. The Vapor system just did everything right. And scale was TREMENDOUS. I really feel like Vapor is the only 'top of the heap' price point company actually doing it right. All the mags are doing their readership a disservice for not touting these for the last 4-5 years.

and : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0h4aMjm03hk&t=1626

Of course, these are ROOM reviews and with a mixed bag of components from several manufacturers, plus room treatment experts, you cant read too much into it.

However, the chain is only as strong as the weakest link and it seems there were no weak link here?

Winson, I agree there were some mixed opinions of the room with the Lampi 211 amps vs. the Rowland 625 S2. I own the Rowland 625 and find it stunningly good, and I can only imagine how much better the S2 version must be!

@wisnon thanks for the information. I'm enjoying the fact that I'm not being hooked up to a computer is one that I love and will probably never give up. I take my best recordings get them up sampled to Dsd and I am very happy with the sound. No power supply crap. No jitter crap. No server noise crap. Im happy with what I have. Kr audio va 900 with this dac is very musical. I listen to my favorite 100 to 150 recordings through the dac in 2xdsd and if I want to listen to others I have an e.a.r CD player. When you look at it. How much time do we have to listen to music? I find well recorded music through a great dac going up to Dsd keeps me pretty happy. Resonessence did a great job. To get better you are going to spend 8k plus easy. Sd cards rock!