2. digital
  3. 1376527744

New Lampizator Level 4/ Version 4 DAC in the house

Wonder if any other new owners of this DAC are out there as I find it to be the finest digital playback I have heard to date. This is the first digital front end piece of gear I have owned that has transformed my music.

Ya, other digital gear does this or that better, but this Lampy breaks through to a new level of musical enjoyment. Clear view into the music helping the speakers just disappear. Only 24 hours of break in and the music flows so sweet, intimate and seemingly without boundaries.

Looking under the hood I see an impressive power supply with films caps and several high quality chokes. Point to point silver wired except for the digital and USB boards. This is a three tube player that is tube rectified. One has the option for SS rectification if desired.

Ya, I love this Lampy!
128x128grannyring
abruce's avatar
abruce
246 posts
 
I'm with Mitch would like to know more about how much better and differences between the 4 and 5
mitch2
4,044 posts
 
Abruce,
I am not sure of the age or current accuracy of this paper but here is a link that explains some of it;
Level 5 guided tour by Lukasz Fikas
It appears there is significantly more work done to the power supply (which is dual mono in the L5) and a different PCB using different chips. From what I have read, it seems the power supply work accounts for the majority of the sonic improvements. If you go to the dual chassis you can include more features such as balanced operation and his special volume control, although those options do not interest me at this time.
I was hoping some here might elaborate with regards to sonic differences.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring OP
6,512 posts
 
The power supply was a huge improvement on my 2009 Mini. I would say a 25-30% improvement. Steve at Empirical says a stock 2009 mini sounds better than a stock 2011 Mini. So this means my set up is perhaps 30 plus percent better than a 2011 Mini without an upgraded power supply.

Oh well. Must try both to really know!
grannyring's avatar
grannyring OP
6,512 posts
 
Hi Bruce and Tim. The 4 is all one would really ever need. I say get a 4 and be sure to get the top of the line Jensen caps and the Bendix rectification tube. This and the right footers, power cord and AC conditioning will make more of a difference IMHO.
sgr's avatar
sgr
689 posts
 
So is the TranspOrt worth buying or should I just stick with a PC or MM solution with my Level 5?

I'm very undecided on this. I've heard the TranspOrt with a Level 3.5 it sounded very fine. But I've never heard USB via Zuma PC, laptop, or MM?
I'm not a big Squeezebox fan.

My experiences with streaming audio has been PS Audio PWD II and Bridge via laptop connected with CAT 7 Ethernet to my WHS. The PWD is good but not a Lampizator.
More to discover