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Reimyo vs Audio Note 3.1X vs Lampizator DAC ?

This is my second thread on this topic. I am trying to upgrade from a Reimyo DAP777. My budget is $2500 used. Unfortunately I do not have the option to listen to any of the DACs I am listing here. I just want to get a hold on the pulse of what people think and accordingly will try to take a decision.

Reimyo is a nice DAC. It is not as airy and natural as some of the well implemented tube DACs. Audio note 3.1X comes to my mind first. But I have never heard them. I have just heard of them and couple of times I have got this feedback that AN is not detailed as Reimyo. Would like to gather some feedback here from experienced Audiogoners.

Then comes the latest sensation, the Lampizator DAC which is being raved about in the community. I would like to give some credibility to this guy because he has done a lot of work in this area over the last 5 years. But again, no reviews or direct feedback available. Would want to listen from you guys about it if any of you have heard the Lampizator design.

Apart from these I have on offer the following DACs:
1. Exemplar Extant DAC
2. 3-Dimension DAC 18SE

But again not much info available about these in the internet. Guys please help me here. I dont want to give up the Reimyo without some due research. Fortunately or unfortunately I like the Reimyo. It is just that last degree of naturalness that I am looking for.
pani
mikedimitrov's avatar
mikedimitrov
160 posts
 
What transport are you using,if any?If you use cd transport with DAC from Reimyo,why don't you try to upgrade cd transport or go to higher Reimyo model since you like the sound of Reimyo,
pani OP
1,219 posts
 
I use a modded TEAC VRDS 10 transport. It is a nice transport.
As you would read my initial post, for about $2500 used, I cant go any higher in the Reimyo line than what I already have. Another thing that I am inclined to is to try a high quality DAC with tube output stage.
lokie's avatar
lokie
528 posts
 
It seems to me that your looking for both detail and "naturalness." At $2500 you're going to have to decide which is more important to you. Personally, unnatural but detailed just isn't my cup of tea.
cmjones's avatar
cmjones
45 posts
 
I've had the Lampizator DAC, L2, for about 6 weeks. I think it's great. I did not have an outboard DAC previous to the LZ, simply an Arcam CD73 which has an internal Wolfson chip. The rest of my system is a Placette active pre, Edge m8m, and JMR Trentes.

When I first got the LZ, I listened A/B from the CD alone vs the CD/DAC. With the LZ, the sound opened up. Clarity improved, soundstage became wider, instrument placement more easily discerned, overall sound more forward and less veiled. I love to put people in 'the chair' and play music for them; they hear what they have never heard before.

Not sure about squeezing that last drop of naturalness out of your system, but I recommend the LZ. Lukasz is great to deal with, and has a money back guarantee. He told me that no one has invoked that yet. I'm happy with mine.
pani OP
1,219 posts
 
Thanks cmjones for your opinion. Even I am pretty enthusiastic about Lampizator DAC designs. Unfortunately I could not find anyone writing about their top level products and how it compares to other reference products. Reimyo though is not in the absolute reference level but still, within its price point it is one of the references. Can the Lampizator upset the Reimyo ? Not easy to guess :(
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