Lampizator Questions

@lampizatorna, willgolf For most of the years of Lampizator existents -since 2005, they were making DAC’s with triode tubes but not DHT. When luka came to the US, he was convinced by small audiophile group, in San Fransisco, to produce a DAC with DHT. That’s were the name Golden Gate came about. Since then, Lampi continue to make only DHT DAC’s, until the new flagship Horizon. Don’t get me wrong. I own and love Lampi DAC’s, but was wondering about why, all of a certain, Lampi is using again IHT tubes design? After all, any good tube circuit designer begins with careful selection of tubes. Why Luka selected IHT tube today, after glorifying the sound of DHT design for quite a few years?

@designsfx , thanks. No distortion from either position. As @willgolf mentioned, there is an enthusiastic and active group of Lampi owners on WBF. If you have your eye on a particular model and have a specific question you can probably get more perspective over there. If there is something I can tell you about my preamp that might provide insight to how yours might perform please let me know.

@tannoy56 

Why not ask Lapizator this question since you're an owner...Rather than ranting and derailing a thread that has NOTHING to do with the issue you brought to it. 

@jc51373

My question was relevant since it was pertaining to the Lampizator DAC.  In regards to your advise - "Why not ask Lampizator this question".  Well, my intention was to hear from knowledgeable, unbiased users of Lampizator, and not directly from the company. 

I wonder, why anyone would be so upset and use derogative tone.   I usually call this time of people like you - An emotional Terrorist.  Good Day. 

I saw a notification on this thread and realized it was one I started almost a year ago- time flies! I want to thank @chilehed ​​​​@maxboy00 for their honest responses and advice, I really appreciated the information.

After seeking more information, more research and more listening I ended up ordering a new Lampizator Golden Atlantic TRP3 balanced dac. I had been considering a T+A Dac 200, Rockna Wavedream Signature and (for a short moment) a DCS Bartok Apex. After hearing a mind blowing demo with a new Baltic 4 I decided I would pursue a Lampizator. 
The beginning of my search started with an older balanced Golden Gate and Pacific which were both available on the used market but after conversations with Fred A at Lampizator NA I decided to try the latest TRP with engine 11.

I have to say that although my impression of this unit was a little rocky at first this Dac has become the center of my music system and is one of the best purchases I’ve made. I was advised (warned) by some that the Lampizator all comes down to the voicing and that the tube selection/matching is the most crucial element when it comes to “dialing in” what is already an amazing piece of equipment.

Although it was frustrating at first (and semi costly) I was able to determine through experimentation which tubes I wanted to go when it comes to how they worked within my system. After roughly 4 months of buying, burning in and listening I was finally able to land at least four quads of power tubes and multiple rectifiers that all deliver variations of what I was looking for. 
All in all this story has a happy ending. Every time I sit down to listen I’m amazed at the improvements that have been realized and what’s really great is that as I continue to seek out and purchase more variations of tubes within the families I use things just keep getting better. 
Although the Golden Atlantic TRP3 is not the top tier model produced by Lampizator I have been told by others (who own Horizons and Pacific’s) that it is the sweet spot of the product line. All I know is that it has been very rewarding for me so far and I highly recommend this product to anyone who wishes to experience what a great tube dac can deliver.