Adding to the B7 Fan List - A B7 Review!

**jakez** · June 1, 2015, 01:36 PM

Several months ago I jumped into the Lampizator family on blind faith with a B5, and then quickly a B7. What follows is how I came to Lampizator and what my impressions are. The first part of this is a bit of the journey there – if you just want the reviews, jump about halfway down.

Enjoy!
Jake

History – Starting with Linn
For over 15 years, I have been a huge fan of Linn gear for many reasons. The sound quality is fantastic, the speakers are beautiful, the components are small and efficient and simplistic. With that love affair I have owned many pieces of Linn gear, and in the preamp/DAC range I loved the AV5103, was impressed with the Kinos, and the Akurate Kontrol was amazing.

Throughout that period I have always stuck with streamers for music, all the way back to the Turtle Beach Audiotron in 1998 (quite possibly the first streamer component), but mostly I had a Logitech Transporter largely because of a great interface. Being a fan of Linn, I tried both an Akurate DS and an Akurate DSM, and neither really impressed me; at best both were on par with the Akurate Kontrol. I also wasn’t ready to jump into needing an iOS device or computer for playback either, and certainly the sound didn’t capture me enough to want to make a switch.

With my Akurate Kontrol aging, Linn heading into ever more expensive territory with Exakt, JRiver and other software being more popular and usable, and DACs growing in number, I decided it was time to time to look around. For several years I’d wanted to attend the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest in Denver. 2014 was the year I made it finally made it. With designs of looking around for DACs, I knew a few rooms I wanted to check out, but most I didn’t recognize, so I was prepared to be surprised.

After wandering around a few rooms, I walked by the room with Wavelength Audio and Vaughn Loudspeakers. I knew neither, but decided to walk in. Almost as soon as I walked in I was stunned by the sound, the beauty, and the pure enjoyment I felt even in the even just the first few moments! Nothing I’d ever heard from Linn matched this! I had found something I was looking for even though I didn’t know it.

Into Wavelength
After the show I went home and bought a used Wavelength Cosecant DAC. What a revelation over the Akurate Kontrol still sitting in my stack. Only a few weeks later I sold the Wavelength Cosecant and jumped to the Wavelength Crimson, their top of the line USB DAC. Again a jump over the Cosecant.

Now What
Two problems – I only have so much space in my rack and the Crimson was a single input (USB) DAC. I also wanted to plug in my Oppo DVD and Apple TV as well. So while I was *completely thrilled* with the Crimson, I continued to be on the lookout for a multi-input DAC, which could also serve as a pre-amp to reduce the number of components.

While at RMAF I also sought out the Devialet room. Every review I’d read praised the units up and down, and I really wanted to listen for myself. It’s true, the Devialet was a remarkable unit! Easy to listen to, smooth, engaging – again huge general enjoyment of the music. Could I listen for hours on end – I’m not sure.

With the Crimson, I was struck by the idea of tubes, and I have to admit I had always thought of them as old-fashioned so they’d never crossed my mind before, but I was beginning to understand. So I seemed to be considering a future of sound completely controlled by software in the digital realm of Devialet components, or striking out for a completely analog tube-based variety of DAC/preamp.

To Lampizator
In my meanderings around audio forums and websites, I came across Lampizator. Another DAC that was getting stunning reviews almost everywhere. After reading many reviews and looking through the website, I liked the company – trying new things, keeping it local, focusing on music. About 6 months ago I began a conversation with Rob of Lampizator North America. I was truly intrigued, but also wondered about buying such an expensive piece of equipment without every hearing it. There was almost no one in my area to go give a listen to. With almost every review being so good, with reviews describing great customer service, my own experience with Rob, and the guarantee Lampizator offers, on blind faith I ordered a B5 with Volume Control.

With the arrival of the B5, I was impressed with the packing, and soon had it unwrapped and into the rack. Immediately there was a problem though – a low volume thrumming. Even after several days of continuous running it was still there. With several conservations with Rob, it was quickly shipped off to be resolved. Unfortunately the techs weren’t able to find a solution, so Rob offered to build a completely new one. Score big points for customer service with all this!

Meanwhile as I awaited resolution, the US Dollar was getting stronger against the Euro, and several more high-praise reviews of the B7 rolled through websites. With an inquiry to Rob, he offered a great deal to upgrade to a B7, in fact one that was already built so the wait time would be minimal.

So it was that a few weeks later, the B7 arrived and the fun really began!

Reviews and Comparisons
Here’s what you all are waiting for – reviews – and what does it sound like! I’m going to offer some comparisons of the following

Linn Akurate Kontrol/0 (with Dynamik Power Supply) as DAC
Wavelength Cosecant with Denominator Module
Wavelength Crimson Balanced with Denominator Module
Lampizator B5 – Toslink, SPDIF and USB digital inputs, 1 RCA analog input, 1 RCA analog output, and Volume Control
Lampizator B7 – Toslink, SPDIF, and USB digital inputs, 1 RCA analog input, 1 RCA analog output, headphone, dual Mono DSD128, and Volume Control

Before jumping in, I wanted to share my comparison and listening style. I don’t use Linn’s tune-dem method, or any other stylistic convention. When I listen, first and foremost I’m listening for how much I enjoy the music, how much am I engaged. Will it give me good bumps? Will it draw me in from another room? Will it get me to put down the book I’m reading? How immersed will I feel? Then I’ll listen for more details – how clear is the bass, how does the full range of sound mesh together, how clear are the notes, how clear are sound effects (e.g. bells, clocks, cash registers, etc.). Most important is simply the enjoyment of the music.

The music I do comparisons with include this list and a number of others. Most are favorites and ones I’ve listened to again and again. All are FLAC at 16/44.1 except where noted:

Fear by Sarah McLachlan from Mirrorbal Live – She hits a high note that’s stunning followed by a surge of instruments.
Doc Severinsen plays Flight of the Bumblee on Trumpet – This shows off brass really well, and since the notes are so quick, it also shows how quickly the whole system responds.
Heaven Help Us (24/96) by Ray Charles – a little bit of everything here, brass, piano, female vocalist, Ray’s gruff voice.
Wag the Dog Soundtrack by Mark Knopfler – Knopfler’s albums always have great bass and this one is no exception. There are also very quiet sections to see how quiet the system is.
Your Warm and Tender Love by Chris Rea – one of my favorite songs – a mix of Hammond B3 and guitar riffs.
Various Lyle Lovett songs – Lovett’s albums always have great production quality, good bass, and big-band sound.
Rodrigo y Gabriela – fast guitar to see how well the DAC moves.
The beginning of Time by Pink Floyd – bells and separation and drum beats.
Sorrow by Pink Floyd – how well can the system go into rich musical tapestries.
George Winston – all contemporary piano pieces (not orchestral), so a good way to show off the reproduction of piano which always seems to be a challenge.
Lindsey Stirling – a recent addition with tons of electronica bass topped off with a stunning violin.

Cosecant
Starting back at the beginning with the Wavelength Cosecant … after this one arrived, I still was using the Linn Akurate Kontrol as a preamp. This was several months ago so my memory is thin, but I remember my impressions being that the Cosecant trumped the Akurate Kontrol easily. Wow – I could jump into the music! The immersion factor was quite high with this little unit. Loads of smoothness and clarity. Mostly what I noticed was the smoothness – not necessarily soft, but an ease to the music, which I can only guess was the tubes. The music seems to be more effortless as well. It still lacked some depth in the bass, which after a lot of playing seemed to be mostly the Akurate Kontrol squelching that somehow. I briefly hooked the Cosecant directly to the amps and used JRiver for volume control, and with the Akurate Kontrol out of the way, there was a bit more spaciousness and definitely more bass coming through. The Akubariks have shown to have everything from no bass to the bass being too boomy – it my system it was always not enough, but the Cosecant started to show the potential in the Akubariks.

Cosecant Conclusion: If you have limited budget and want to consider tubes, find a used Cosecant (most around $2K) and let loose as a portal into high-end DACs.

Crimson
With the arrival of the Crimson, this was my first step into high-end DACs. When hooking it up, I didn’t bother with the Akurate Kontrol (I might have sold it at that point) so it was going straight into the amps with JRiver for volume. The immersiveness factor was very high. The most noticeable difference from the Cosecant was the bass and how it opened up even more at the bottom end. Clearly it has something going for it on the low end. Music still had the smoothness of the Cosecant … and more of it. Overall just more here and there, but nothing I could clearly name. With both the Cosecant and Crimson I found I could listen to music longer, though after 3 or 4 hours my ears were a bit tired.

Crimson Conclusion: The Crimson lives up to its reputation as well. Truly a unique and exceptional DAC. At one point I’m sure it had an edge over others, but others seem to be catching up.

B5
Then comes the B5. With a short break-in, the low-volume thrumming, and a shorter listening and comparison period, this may not be the best review. With the B5, the music seemed to be all over the place for the first 100 hours. Initially it was quite edge-y, and I was wondering about my blind faith. After a while it settled and I could offer a decent comparison with the Crimson, which was plugged into the B5 to use the B5 volume control. After many hours of listening, I could tell very little difference between the Crimson and B5. The B5 was definitely more forward, as if the musicians were almost in my lap. For long-term listening (3-4 hours), the Crimson was a little easier to me, but the B5 was certainly not fully up-to-par either.

B5 Conclusion: Lukasz has an awesome DAC in the B5 to match the Crimson in sound, at a better cost and with more possibility for things like Volume Control, multiple-inputs, and DSD Mon. Where the Crimson wins is sheer looks, the wood edge panels and silver case are beautiful.

The B7
Before I get to the sound, and let the anticipation build … The B7 is big, the biggest component I’ve ever owned. It stands out no matter what, something you can show off, especially with 3 large tubes glowing on top and a small light and interface on the front. It both hides itself with minimalism, and shines with the tubes. The remote is small with just the buttons needed, something I really liked after TV and DVD remotes with what seems like a hundred buttons. It’s also quiet, no hums or anything with the unit sitting idle. It’s there when you want it to be, and then hides itself away in plain sight.

For the sound - The B7 is another league! Even from the first sounds, I was blown away. My enjoyment factor was the best it has ever been, the immersiveness into the music and every note was pure and deep with all the nuances shining in their own way. Music is alive with the B7, breathing, full of life. The music is definitely more forward that the laid-back sound of Linn, but not the forwardness of the B5, the music stayed right where it should. Every word I write is just going to be another superlative echoing what everyone else has stated.

To put that into a few details … Again the bass really shines, the Akubariks have always been good, and now they have a great bass. Crisp, detailed, right on time. The integration of sound from highs to lows was complete with perhaps a bit more emphasis in the mid-range. The natural roll-off/fade of notes is beautiful, though perhaps a tad short, more noticeable in something like The Flight of the BumbleBee with background violins and tympanis. For soundspace, each voice and instrument is exactly where it should be. This isn’t about separation, it’s about naturalness of place and position. Overall a real smoothness.

With Linn gear, I always had this image of how clear the music was – does it feel like I could walk through the music and end up in pure silence behind it. With the B7, it’s totally different. It’s no longer a wall, but simply a point. As if the music if all emanating from a point and if I could get to the point then I’d find the pure silence and source of the music all at the same time. It’s like going from 2D to 3D.

I’ve never heard music presented like the B7 does. The Linn is laid-back and beautiful, the Wavelengths are smooth and expansive. The B7 just draws you in! There is sound everywhere and it’s centered.

Each time I sit down to listen, I am still completely enjoying every sound.

B7 Conclusion: Wonderful! I don’t think there’s much more to say, other than find one to listen to.

Customer Service
I have to make a special call out to the level of service Lampizator offers. They truly seem to be interested in great music, and at the same time they are ensuring everyone finds their niche with their unit working perfectly.

The Rest of the System

Linn Akubarik 5-way speakers (passive)
Lejonklou Tundra Mono with Linn K200 speaker wire to 4 of the speaker drivers
Linn 2250 with Linn K20 speaker wire to the IsoBarik bass driver
Linn Silver and Linn standard interconnect cables
Transparent PowerBank 8 Conditioner
AppleTV
Oppo BDP-93
JRiver and JRemote
Lenovo M93 Tiny case with Windows 8

Overall a fairly simply system. The Tundra Monos are amazing amps for clarity, but in my system don’t seem to have the power to drive 5 speaker drivers including a bass, hence the 2250 to power the bass.

Downsides
So where’s the downside? There aren’t many to be honest. The timeliness of shipments seems to be a bit random, both units shipped later than expected, and with the B5 it was stuck in customs for two weeks (not the fault of Lampizator). Almost everyone has noted the actual physical box. It’s rather plain and doesn’t seem to suit the quality inside. I honor their idea of working with local companies, still I’d gladly pay a bit more for something that looks better. With my unit, the top is clear plastic, which one hand looks cool, but it’s still plastic, and once it’s sitting in my rack, it doesn’t matter so much to me. The overall voltage output of the RCA outputs seems to be low, lower than other components I’ve tried. I do see it was noted by one other reviewer as well. It’s probably not a big deal for most, except my amps gain is lower than most so it’s noticeable (I’m working on a solution with Rob and Lukasz) as I regularly hit the top volume and want more.

More to Come
My setup is beautiful right now, the best it’s ever been. I also know that’s more that’s possible and to play with. I haven’t done any tube rolling yet. I’ve heard great things about HQPlayer, but haven’t tried that either. Perhaps the big one is making my way to DSD which most seem to find every better than PCM with the B7.

Conclusion
The B7 is a stunning unit! Not perfect, but for enjoyment and flexibility and possibility, it’s amazing. It’s brought my system to another level of incredible sound (with a few other tweaks). I enjoy listening even more than I ever have which is truly what it’s all about for me! I’ll be keeping this one for a while and smiling the entire time.

**the professor** · June 1, 2015, 02:18 PM

Great writeup

Thanks for sharing

**Elberoth** · June 1, 2015, 03:32 PM

Congrats ! I'm enjoying my Lampi since Feb.

**Ritmo** · June 1, 2015, 05:18 PM

Excellent write up. Congrats on your B7. Great that you are very, very happy.

**wisnon** · June 1, 2015, 06:31 PM

Then there is the Golden Gate (which needs more break in but seems to reward)

From WBF:

Blue58

Junior MemberJoin DateJan 2013LocationLondon, UKPosts6

With great sadness I had to return the Golden Gate Dac to Mark Coles of Sablon Audio and wanted to thank him for the extended loan of the unit.
Why sadness? Because I had no idea how large a leap forward in musical communication the GG could bring, with a little attention to the details.

My initial reservations about its PCM qualities compared to the Audio Aero LaFontaine have been blown out of the water with the addition of the best power cord I have ever heard. The new Sablon Audio Reserva. Without a doubt this cord improved my LaFontaine but did much more for the Golden Gate bringing out all the detail and ambience but more importantly the LIFE of the performance. The gap between AA and GG was now substantial. How can I now go back to the AA and be happy?

Surprisingly, the DSD performance, already at an incredible level prior to the power cord introduction, gained further presence, and ambient detail but the PCM was now much closer to it than ever before. Why PCM is improved to a greater degree than DSD I don't know. I'm sure Mr. 'Sablon' knows.

This Golden Gate had EML solid plate 45s and EML 5u4G as standard. I tried a GZ34 but this reduced the soundstage, dynamics and detail making for a boring sound. The solid plates I know are dynamic champions with plenty of detail but would have liked to hear the mesh plates with a 274b driver. I believe this would have been the ultimate combination in the context of my system. I'm guessing a 101d would be too detailed in my system. The Duo Omega are revealing speakers.

So, the combination of GG, Sablon Reserva power cord and Sablon Panatela USB are as we say in the UK, the dogs b....ks. One heavenly combination.

I now need to fundamentally re-evaluate my system after hearing what the GG can do with both PCM and DSD after paying attention to power cord and tube rolling.

This is the biggest leap forward in sonic performance I've ever witnessed in my 40 yrs of listening. Congratulations to Lukasz and to Mark for phenomenal products.

Ps. Musical selections ranged across, singer songwriter, jazz, classical, rock and electronic/dance. Everything was handled superbly from my Auralic Aries with HD.

Ppss. Bonzo, you have to hear your B7 with the Reserva.

**MDP** · June 1, 2015, 06:33 PM

Cool stuff Norman!

**Mike** · June 1, 2015, 06:56 PM

I have some shiny new Elrog 300b's to try tonight in my GG. I've also ordered a RCA military grade rectifier from Brent Jesse. Should be a great combo to try.

**wisnon** · June 1, 2015, 07:01 PM

Yes!

Lemme know.
Joe i getting Elrog 211 for his balanced amps…would love feedback on those too.

Greg told me the Mundorf caps in the GG takes months to break in, so as you see above, the PCM will play catchup to the DSD soon enuff. For some reason DSD is less affected. I have heard that from a few people now.

**Mike** · June 1, 2015, 07:06 PM

Oh yeah, the 211's arrived too.

**wisnon** · June 1, 2015, 07:12 PM

sweet.

**Mike** · June 1, 2015, 08:45 PM

I think we have a winner!

**Ritmo** · June 1, 2015, 09:32 PM

They look great Mike! Can't wait to hear this DAC.

**Mike** · June 1, 2015, 09:37 PM

Thanks Mike. These Elrog 300b's are the real deal. Very very sweet sounding.

**wisnon** · June 2, 2015, 02:02 AM

Wow, AL has nothing over you now.... except maybe the vintage WE 101d globes.

You guys are tube kings.

Me, I dont have any 300bs, but I do have the ST shape vintage 101ds... and some nice vintage rectis.No 274s either. Edit, I have the Chinese one.

Lemme know how they sound as well as power cord changes.

Gollum, re your Elrog tubes: "My precioussss".

**Alpinist** · June 2, 2015, 03:49 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

Thanks Mike. These Elrog 300b's are the real deal. Very very sweet sounding.

Congrats Mike! Those 300B's are beautiful tubes. In what way do they sound different from the 101D's? Have you tried the Psvane WE 101D Replicas and if so, how do they compare?

Does this mean that you'll forego the balanced outputs on your Golden Gate?

Thanks,
Ken

**Mike** · June 2, 2015, 09:22 AM

Ken - the Elrog 300b's are the polar opposite of the 101D's. The Elrog 300b's give you everything you would expect from a great 300b tube: sweet on top, gorgeous mids and an overall beautiful smoothness. The 101D's are detail freaks. They are for the guy who finds the 300b sound "too soft" and wants more detail. Whether you go 300b or 101D comes down to the rest of your gear. If you're already running 300b amps, then 300b's in the Lampi might be too much of a good thing. With the PassXS amps and preamp providing plenty of detail and control, the Elrog 300b's in my system is a good match.

Downsides? They aren't going to give you the dynamic punch of the 101D's or some of the other tubes I've tried like the EML Anniversary Globe 45's. They're a tube to make everything sweet, rich and pretty sounding.

Now time to mix and match some rectifiers.

**wisnon** · June 2, 2015, 09:41 AM

Yup, the rectis will make a bigger impact too.

Try the Metal base GZ34 with the Elrog 300b and you may get the best of both worlds.

The recti/DHT combo makes for enormous permutations/possibilities.

"Generically speaking, direct heated rectifiers sound sweeter in the mids. Those rectifiers with the highest voltage drop seem to sound the sweetest. The indirectly heated rectifiers, like GZ32 and GZ34, seem to yield more and tighter bass, but add a harshness to the mids. Tradeoffs, tradeoffs, decisions, decisions... Try them all and you will find a favorite"

**Radiohead** · June 2, 2015, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Ken - the Elrog 300b's are the polar opposite of the 101D's. The Elrog 300b's give you everything you would expect from a great 300b tube: sweet on top, gorgeous mids and an overall beautiful smoothness. The 101D's are detail freaks. They are for the guy who finds the 300b sound "too soft" and wants more detail. Whether you go 300b or 101D comes down to the rest of your gear. If you're already running 300b amps, then 300b's in the Lampi might be too much of a good thing. With the PassXS amps and preamp providing plenty of detail and control, the Elrog 300b's in my system is a good match.

Downsides? They aren't going to give you the dynamic punch of the 101D's or some of the other tubes I've tried like the EML Anniversary Globe 45's. They're a tube to make everything sweet, rich and pretty sounding.

Now time to mix and match some rectifiers.

Great feedback on the Elrog! Did you notice any noise/microphonics? I used a sophia electric carbon 300b 2.5v version in my Lampi. Even though it sounded great, it picked up a lot of vibration noise. For example, when you are hearing music loud, if you pause the music and you hear a ringing sound that lasts about 2 second.

Also, how would you compare Elrog 300B with EML solid plate or any other tubes that you've used in Lampi? Do you think Elrog is not dynamic and punchy enough for rock music?

**Mike** · June 2, 2015, 12:57 PM

Originally Posted by Radiohead

Great feedback on the Elrog! Did you notice any noise/microphonics? I used a sophia electric carbon 300b 2.5v version in my Lampi. Even though it sounded great, it picked up a lot of vibration noise. For example, when you are hearing music loud, if you pause the music and you hear a ringing sound that lasts about 2 second.

Also, how would you compare Elrog 300B with EML solid plate or any other tubes that you've used in Lampi? Do you think Elrog is not dynamic and punchy enough for rock music?

One of the biggest surprises for me was how quiet the Elrog 300b's were. No typical 300b ringing you get (like someone running their hand along the spokes of a bike...if that makes sense).

As I mentioned, the Elrog 300b makes everything sound beautiful and romantic. It's not a "rock & roll" tube. What it does, it does amazingly well. You have to give up something to get something. If you want a rock tube, the EML or 101D's will fit that bill.

However, I want to experiment with rectifiers.

Mike

**wisnon** · June 2, 2015, 02:43 PM

What I love most is that this Dac makes you feel like you are a Mad Physics/Chemistry scientist. Mixing and matching your tube stash to get that magic equation that works best.

I dont have as many exotic tubes as you and AL do, but I make up for it in numbers…about a dozen rectis and about 10 pairs of DHTs.

**Mike** · June 2, 2015, 02:45 PM

I have one of these bad boys coming...

**wisnon** · June 2, 2015, 03:00 PM

Mike is that:

RCA VT-244 MILITARY 5U4G VACUUM TUBE US ARMY STOCK 1959

This is a rare chance to try one of the legendary RCA 5U4G tubes made for the military. This is a 5U4G (sometimes called by the military designation VT-244) black plate and is date coded 13 week of 1959. It is new old stock in the original military box, and has the large coke bottle shape glass. These are among the best 5U4 rectifiers ever made. Try it in your amp and hear for yourself what others have been talking about this tube! Satisfaction guaranteed. High bid gets the tube shown here. IL residents pay 9% tax, outside of Il there is no tax. We ship worldwide, all shipping is by first class mail or parcel post only.

or

Some kind of double D getter military tube I saw on Ebay once for $250?

**Mike** · June 2, 2015, 03:02 PM

Yes, that's it. Military grade as well. NOS.

I have to thank BruceLet for putting me on to his source and snagging one of these rare gems.

**wisnon** · June 2, 2015, 03:08 PM

LoL

Ya gotta have a tube guy nowadays to snag the good stuff. People are holding on tighter nowadays. I think i have exhausetd the barn, but should return to see what else he got recently.

I am less concerned about NOS for Dacs, as the tubes are bareley stressed, given that they are used to POWER amp duties.

I got a pair of very weak WE vintage 101ds landed here for just $100 from Ebay and they have ben working for MONTHS. NOS, the pair would run $1600 on Ebay.

**Radiohead** · June 3, 2015, 04:07 PM

Originally Posted by wisnon

LoL

Ya gotta have a tube guy nowadays to snag the good stuff. People are holding on tighter nowadays. I think i have exhausetd the barn, but should return to see what else he got recently.

I am less concerned about NOS for Dacs, as the tubes are bareley stressed, given that they are used to POWER amp duties.

I got a pair of very weak WE vintage 101ds landed here for just $100 from Ebay and they have ben working for MONTHS. NOS, the pair would run $1600 on Ebay.

How would you compare Cunningham CX-345 to 101D and EML mesh/solid plate 45? And I'm curious if anyone has heard Cunningham 45 and Elrog 300B in the Lampizator? I wonder if it'd be in the middle of the road between EML and Elrog.

**bonzo** · June 3, 2015, 06:04 PM

I have an RCA 5u4g as well

**wisnon** · June 3, 2015, 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by Radiohead

How would you compare Cunningham CX-345 to 101D and EML mesh/solid plate 45? And I'm curious if anyone has heard Cunningham 45 and Elrog 300B in the Lampizator? I wonder if it'd be in the middle of the road between EML and Elrog.

Cunningham is more lush midrange than either.

EML 45 mesh plate is getting a lot of buzz.

**wisnon** · June 9, 2015, 12:28 PM

Mike, try the JAN 5R4GY (GE or RCA) and you may be pleased with the PCM step up. Marslo at WBF was a doubting Thomas and now he suddenly changed (vs his beloved AA La Fontaine):

DSD DACS: Why SUBLIME with DSD recordigs but MEDIOCRE with PCM; Too Smooth & No Jump? - Page 3

Voltage drop changes everything!!!!!!

**Mike** · June 9, 2015, 01:11 PM

Norman - I'm trying the JAN 5R4GY RCA right now. In a word, AMAZING!

**wisnon** · June 9, 2015, 01:33 PM

Sweet. I have the GE-JAN version, but have not tried yet!

I shudder to think it beats the metal base GZ34….

Tomorrow or so, I hope to get the mesh plate EML45s.

**Radiohead** · June 9, 2015, 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by wisnon

Sweet. I have the GE-JAN version, but have not tried yet!

I shudder to think it beats the metal base GZ34….

Tomorrow or so, I hope to get the mesh plate EML45s.

Would love to hear some feedback on EML 45 solid vs mesh plate in the Lampi.

**wisnon** · June 9, 2015, 04:28 PM

Radio…I think you can find that at the Audiocircle forum or on the B& tube rolling Facebook page.

I can tell you that Lukasz says mesh thrashes the solid plate (see hsi FB page).

**wisnon** · June 9, 2015, 04:35 PM

LampizatOr

April 14 ·

Just got new tubes - for all the Big 7 tube rollers out there - I have MESH 101D's from Full Music. Something new to try.

LampizatOr
My short test reveals that the mesh 101d full music is somewhere in between regular psvane and WE psvane. But it tends to hum more. The big surprise is from full music 2a3 which is super silent in hum department and as musical as the best WE. My test winner. Overall Mesh45 Emission Labs has an edge over all of the above.

May 6 ·
The mesh 45eml knocked me down in the first round. Bastards...

**Radiohead** · June 9, 2015, 04:37 PM

Yea I've read Lukasz's opinion on 45 mesh. However, music taste many times dictates EML mesh vs solid plate preference. I have read feedback from some people on tube/audioasylum that they prefer EML solid plate compare to mesh. The reason being, solid plate was more dynamic and has better bass OTOH mesh has more air extension. Some did report that EML mesh was more forward than solid plate. But all this was in the context of an amplifier not Lampizator. Hence I'd love to hear more feedback esp listening to rock music.

**wisnon** · June 9, 2015, 04:42 PM

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...4228079&type=1

Lampizator Big 7 tube rolling : Chapter 2 - Getting Glass HOT !

Updated about 6 months ago

In the mean time let's jump back to LampiztOr B7 tube rolling fun

As I said 45 is my favorite little triode and I have nice stash, so it is enough to try and have some opinion about. I have been listening through my toyboy Yammy A-08 s amp for the purity sake, as he is build to play 45, so I could be sure there will be no other triode type " pollution " there to de-focus my observations. As pure as we could get then it was a session comparing different kinds of type 45 through the 45 based SET amp and TAD based Horns.

Here is as it came : I compared EML 45 Solid plate , EML 45 Special Edition Globe pair , Acturus 45 Single plate from 40'ties and GLOBE 45 RCA pair from 1928 ;- )

It will be the best to spread the test to describing mid-range, highs and bass for every valve (tube) result as they had been very different and in fact one might actually prefer particular valves for their balance.

With Solid Plate EML 45 - all is there. It is a modern sound, full bodied, rich and very spacious. TOP choice for someone who don't want to mess around with NOS valves and wish to own top notch all rounders.
Bass from them is like you have no chance to hear from any NOS ever

40's Acturus are very good everyday listening all rounders. They don't have an extension ,micro-dynamics and clarity of SP EMLs, but they supply solid liquid sound with excellent mid range. For the money, they are no brainers giving the fact that they can be bought for 8 time less than EMLs. I guess most of American ST glass would sound similar in the Big 7 circuit, but expect more variation when comparing them in amp. I know what I am saying- remember Yammy? I've been there before ;-)

Anniversary Globe RCA 45. Those valves are just stunning on mid-range. If that is your poison you will not probably find any other 45 around which will play this range more natural, more sweet or more musically. Sound comes totally unforced and listening to the music through is nothing but the pleasure. This are my favorite NOS valves ever on any AMP I tried them in and they certainly confirmed their quality here in Lampi Big 7 too. Extremely difficult to get a good pair today, but if you are lucky enough to do so you will be rewarded million times ;-)

Globe EML45s - these are the best modern build 45's in my opinion. The way they played in B7 DAC showed them as a clear winners and all notes I made during these tests are actually matching these I put into my notebook during various comparisons of different 45 based amps ;-)

That includes Yammy , Welbornes, Kernoff , AN and few DIY ones I had a great pleasure to enjoy. Basically with all EMLs to my ears GLOBE are best , then MESH Plates , and then Solid Plate. Bear in mind that EML Mesh plates had been vastly improved and a recent version with 24 karat gold grid wire is the best they ever build. Same applies to GLOBEs. To describe it modest: Read again what I said about EML SP45s above. When you switch to Mesh Plates , you find the sound to be even more relaxed, creamy and voluptuous. It is also much more AIR between the notes with those valves. The Only gentle lead that Solid Plates holds in on a Bass authority. The margin is small, however for the shout out results quality have to be noticed. THEN...., when you switch to Globes you will hear almost the same SWEET and LOVELY mid-range as you got from RCA GLOBEs. It's not into the same extent ,sadly but it is as close as modern valve can do. Again on extension ,both high and the bottom , NOS Globe has no run against EML. In EML camp only that ones are the Jacks of ALL. Solid Bass control of SP45 ,and creamy mid-range of MP45 in one. It doesn't loose on feeling of air, comparing to Mesh but it certainly have a"different" , very own " sense of AIR " . I know it sounds weird , but it really is very difficult to find the right way to describe that. Must be heard anyway before anyone decide to buy any of those I described above. It applies to my taste - yours might be different - bear that in mind!;-)

Hope that all of you reading this here will find it at least useful ;- 0

Be prepared for PSVANE's WE 101D replicas listening soon for the full picture of LampizatOr Big 7 voicing possibilities available ;-)

**Radiohead** · June 9, 2015, 04:58 PM

EML 45 globes are unfortunately not available anymore.

So, it seems the newer version meshies are superior. I'm also curious about Psavne WE 101D replica. All the feedbacks on them has been either love or hate. Btw, I've read the 101D replica impression from this Facebook group. But more data point would certainly be helpful.

**wisnon** · June 9, 2015, 05:02 PM

Globes are available. Mike scored a pair…
Recently, there was some kinda group buy for $800 a pair…say 6 months ago. If I hear of any mopre limited run group buys, I will PM you.

**deuter** · April 7, 2016, 04:50 PM

Iam a fan, not even heard one yet !

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