Never a Mainstream Review

BayStBroker said:

Lampizator is not only unreviewed by the major audio publications (SR, AS, etc), it goes entirely unmentioned so far as I can tell. Meanwhile, the flagship DAC shows up in the most exclusive rooms at audio show. Either Lukasz really irritated some audio media people or they really do refuse to cover any company that is not a likely advertiser. (No judgement there, just saying...)

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Not true. I reviewed a Lampi DAC for Positive Feedback. You can read it here: https://positive-feedback.com/Issue73/lampizator.htm

Many reviews

https://www.google.com/search?ei=yx.......1..gws-wiz.......0i71j0i22i30.cuRx4J5MXUU

I had the opportunity to see/hear both the Atlantic and Pacific DACs a few weeks ago. I was only able to compare the Atlantic via Hattor Hybrid Integrated streaming from a Laptop vs old CAL CDP via Hattor SS Integrated. There was a clear difference but hard to say any real details because it was a crowded Demo Day with Pure Audio Project speakers.

I think Lampizator let's their customers do the talking for them. I don't think they are into putting big ad dollars into magazines or loaning their equipment for review.

I could be wrong, but I think a well respected publication is set to review the Pacific.

Lampizator makes some good sounding products, but you have to be into the tweaky bit of the hobby and enjoy rolling tubes, etc. to find the right sound. You also have to be aware that this is still a company growing and their have been some challenges, both technical and otherwise.

I have a Pacific on the way (SE, no VC) and very excited to get it up and running. I know from customers, break in on the Pacific can be quite long.

Mike said:

I think Lampizator let's their customers do the talking for them. I don't think they are into putting big ad dollars into magazines or loaning their equipment for review.

I could be wrong, but I think a well respected publication is set to review the Pacific.

Lampizator makes some good sounding products, but you have to be into the tweaky bit of the hobby and enjoy rolling tubes, etc. to find the right sound. You also have to be aware that this is still a company growing and their have been some challenges, both technical and otherwise.

I have a Pacific on the way (SE, no VC) and very excited to get it up and running. I know from customers, break in on the Pacific can be quite long.

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I have been a longtime Lampizator fan. The Golden Gate is beautiful visually and sonically. That being said, it’s sonics are completely dependent upon the the type and the quality of tubes used with it. So when someone says I like it or don’t like it, you really have to know which specific tube kit they are using. This makes it impossible to make absolute statements about the product. Some people actually enjoy the ability to play around with different tubes and change the sound characteristics. So it really appeals to certain type of audiophile.

We recently “upgraded” from the GG to the Pacific. We had some issues with tubes that were defective and had to have them replaced. BTW, we are using the Riccardo 300B tube set. As Mike says, the DAC needs to run in for several weeks before making any judgements. I have had the Pacific for many months now and can say that it is a true reference for what is possible in digital reproduction today.

Yeah, they rolled tubes several times at the Demo Day along with changing the full range drivers on the Pure Audio speakers so it was really hard to get a grip on what changed what for me.

Lukasz had once mentioned to me that he prefers to have a steady demand, so that he can manage production. Even then (this was two years ago just before the Pac), there used to be a backlog. With happy long term customers passing on their feedback, the pace was right. Further big name reviews could add on additional demand and he did not want to make demand manageable beyond the size that he wanted to keep the company at. Plus, reviewers require an unit that is held up and not being sold. It is easier for larger companies to produce spare units to send around than for smaller firms..


That said, with Pac, he seems to be opening it up to reviewers.


Regarding tube rolling, it is just not about tube rolling fun or valve flavors. Lampi is the only digital (as far as I know) that allows you to change an integral part of the dac by changing tubes. This also changes output and how it couples to downstream pre and power. This is what analog guys do on a regular basis, trying to match cart gain and impedance to the phono. Get the tube roll right, and the energy and drive of the system enters new territories. If London locals try out my Lampi, I make sure they get three sets of valves, not one. Any one of those could sound good in their system.


The same goes for some other valve components like Allnic phono. The recti change produces large sonic changes.

Excuse my skepticism regarding the idea that any audio company would be reluctant to facilitate reviews out of fear of runaway demand. Business just doesn't work that way in my experience. I am heartened to learn that there is some prospect for a major publication review. The Pacific is widely viewed to be in a class with some of the most exclusive equipment in circulation. I'd like to hear what Stereophile or AS has to say about it.