I used this old thread more to try to learn about the Lampizator, but I just saw the spirited replies about the Ayre. LOL. I've heard the Ayre a bunch of times, and I was an original Kickstarter supporter of Pono so I have a Pono Player - easily one of the best values ever in personal audio. My thought here, though, was to take advantage of an introductory sale of the entry level product of a superpremium "boutique" brand.
I ended up trying a brand new Lampizator Amber 2.2 SE DAC, which was just introduced quietly within the last month or so. It apparently has the same digital engine as their TOTL Pacific DAC. It has tubes, and it can run basically anything you can throw at it. Lots of break in and listening to come, but I'll report back. Their US importer/distributor claims this is a wholesale change to this product, but that they have been very quiet about the internal changes. It is a simple box with just a power switch on the back, a toggle for RCA/TOSLINK SPDIF in the back, and a front panel mounted (trademark) "O" LED which on this unit is the toggle for USB or SPDIF circuits. Quirky fact - you can get the LED in any color you would like. It arrives shipped from their factory in Poland, via two day express shipping. No manuals, no power cord. This is a very odd little company. But, the unit feels like it's built like a brick sh*thouse, and quality appears to be excellent. They do not encourage tube rolling on the Amber 2 or even opening the case, but a flashlight reveals inside orderly layout and wiring. The back panel is a printed piece, with serial number and date of manufacture. Sound? It sounds great so far, and plays perfectly- both PCM and DSD - with my Sony HAP Z1-ES, and a Rega Planet 2000 CDP. For a tubed DAC, it is dead quiet - absolutely no hiss. It is detailed and has good punch, yet there is some detectable sweetness to the midrange, especially in vocals. Another quirky aspect is that they use a higher-than-industry standard output (I believe 3V instead of 2V). I'm looking forward to listening more and reporting back.
