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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!
grannyring
clio09
3,364 posts
 
What's wrong with flat? To me that means no artificial emphasis of any frequency. You want emphasis or de-emphasis get an equalizer or something with tone controls. The TADs let you hear exactly what is coming from the source through your associated electronics. Not what everyone likes to hear though. I will admit TADs are unforgiving, but like JWM felt all the rooms I heard them in sounded very good. Nothing like judging for yourself.

BTW - Andrew Jones held court one evening at the TAD reception. Amazing guy and quite a history. Not sure how but we quickly morphed from a discussion about speakers to classic cars.
grannyring's avatar
grannyring OP
6,601 posts
 
The direct USB input from my Mini was no match for the Offramp into my Lampi spdif input. Not even close. The difference was so stark I cannot even imagine a different outcome. I use a modified Mac Mini.

I am confused with the Lampi transport I must admit. On the Lampi site Lucas calls it essentially a converter to spdif. Those were his own words in the very beginning of the article on the transport.

Do I still need my Mac Mini or with the Lampi transport can I sell it? The Offramp is simple as it just connects to the Mac mini by USB and to my Lampi with spdif.

Perhaps someone can list the order of gear with arrows when using the Lampi transport/converter device. I know I am not the only Aphile confused on this piece. It would help us all.
agear
1,362 posts
 
Many members on this thread are familar with TRL Samson ... TRL SS sound. It doesn't sound like SS or tubes but just music. I tell ya, it's a superb match with the TAD E1.

[quote]Almost sold them last year and turns out the problem was my old EW Andra II. It's too bad Paul doesn't market his stuff.[quote]

Amen to all that. The Samsons are extraordinary SS amps. High bandwidth, effortless, without any traces of SS glare, strain, or compression. I owned them for 4 years and sold them simply due to the audiophile itch....
knghifi
1,668 posts
 
I heard mixed reviews of the TAD rooms. The word flat was bandied around. Not up to their normal standards.
It would be news if there was no mixed reviews. When is there ever consensus in this hobby?

Since there are many familiar with TRL in this thread, I just want to share how well Paul's SS amp stacks up against the BIG ticket competition. There's nothing for me to add on TAD. It's heavily reviewed by professionals and owners.

The transport is a highly modified Squeezebox DUET with a tube rectified PSU and a tube SPIDF output
Spec indicates 24/96, still based on Duet? Duet only supports 24/88.2. Maybe SB Touch?
knghifi
1,668 posts
 
Berony, does the Lamp Transport cache/buffer data before play? A track? whole CD?

Lukasz knows his stuff. In his Lamp Transport page, he clearly explains why computer audio is superior to cd player and without saying, IF executed correctly.
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