Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

I have to tell you other converters may not make a huge difference, but the OR5 and Dynamo will take the Lampi to another level with a computer....any computer.

I would not believe it if not for my recent experience. I had an Apple 2009 mini with Mojo Audio power supply, large SSD drive, all the software mods, and the improvement was the single biggest audio upgrade I had ever made.

Perhaps your L6 will not have the same result, but you must try it because if history repeats itself here, you will wear an even bigger smile.

Have fun.

I'm interested as to how the PS DirectStream stacks up.

Grannyring,

I sold my L4/G4 to my friend and he ended up selling the OffRamp 4, said he preferred going straight through the USB. He uses a modded Mac Mini and Mojo power supply.

I will let him know of your findings with the Offramp 5/Dynamo, which must be in another world compared to the OR4 if it was the single biggest audio upgrade of your life. It would be a win win situation if Steve would offer him a home demo with a refundable deposit.

Happy listening....

Steve,

Have you heard the Big Six before, or better yet have you heard it in your system? I have heard both, and your OR5 at last year's Newport and RMAF shows. The sound was solid and I enjoyed the pairing with Vapor, but it was driven from a tube amp which Matt doesn't have. I think the Lamp DAC injected some life into his system, which is evident in his initial feelings towards the Big Six.

If you have heard the Big Six, then okay I can understand you only giving the Lamp a running chance if used with the OR5 in light of Grannyring's experience with the same Mac Mini source. If Matt used the Antipodes server or something similar then that USB input might be "good" enough.

But if you haven't tried the Big Six in your system, then you could be surprised by what Matt reports back after comparing the two, so don't count the Big Six out until the count of 10.

Good luck Matt, you have a real battle ahead of you.

Shaw - I have not heard the new Directstream, but I have heard the Vivaldi in two different rooms at RMAF. The Overdrive beats it IMO. The Analog DAC was compared in the latest Overdrive review. The Overdrive beat it according to the reviewer. I have heard the Wavelength, Berkeley, Ayre, Chord Qute, and Bryston. Overdrive beats all of these. My roommate used the Lampi7 in his room in Chicago Axpona. He says the Overdrive beats it too. I have not heard the top of line Resonessence or the Bricasti yet.

I have both tube and SS monoblocks. The difference with tubes is mainly bass and depth. A bit more smooth on vocals maybe. My SS is extremely good though.

Each Overdrive version that I use at shows is different than the one previously used. It undergoes upgrades periodically. This is one big advantage of my products. I continuously try to improve them and offer these upgrades to my customers whenever possible. Each show sound Is improvedmovermthe last. This show is no exception.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio