Balanced Big 7 in the house

Audiophile bill said:
Was listening to the new album by Melody Gardot this evening - the soundstage is absolutely massive in all dimensions. Never heard a source that can do that. Also the amount of unheard information pouring forth is remarkable. I tried the unit using the balanced xlr outputs as my system is fully balanced and also using the single ended outputs - needless to say the balanced outputs sounded much superior. I am confused though how it works - I assume the circuitry is always balanced but the signal is unbalanced prior to the single ended output and left balanced for the xlr.
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Hi Bill,

I'm interested in learning more about the differences you heard between the Big 7's balanced connections (XLR) and unbalanced connections (RCA). I'm still trying to decide if I should go balanced or single-ended when I pull the trigger on a Big 7.

Thanks,
Ken
 
Hi Ken,

I will try and do a full investigation for you over the weekend to provide more detail. My view on this for now in the context of my system, which is fully balanced everywhere else, including analogue is

> XLR outputs seem to project a larger soundstage in all dimensions - not subtle at all. Not sure why? I really wanted to clarify that when you use the balanced big 7 se outputs, that the only difference is that the signal gets unbalanced before the output but it uses the balanced circuitry - perhaps one of the tech people can help us?

> XLR conveyed a greater degree of both micro dynamics and macro dynamics

> XLR sounded even more finely resolving of the tiniest details that I never heard in my system. I have never heard as many ambient cues before ever - people shifting in their seat, coughing, moving their music stand, moving, it is all there. To be fair, the single ended does a great job of this too just not to the same degree.

> the single ended outputs sounded a touch darker than XLR

Anyway. I hope this helps but suffice it to say, if you have a balanced system (or think you will get one some day soon), I would not hesitate to get the balanced big 7 myself.
 
Hi Bill,

Love to read your descriptions. I have not tried RCA yet but agree about going fully balanced. Holy cr@p! Music all over the room too. I was talking to another forum member with a Big 7 SE and the Lampi has really stopped him in his tracks. With the right combo of tubes, to match your taste, there's nothing like it.
 
Audiophile bill said:
Hi all,

My new balanced big 7 has arrived - just set it up. Temporarily of a wood plinth before I sort a proper rack out. Listening to commence this evening but initial sound is fantastic - humongous soundstage with tonnes of slam and plenty of detail yet smooth as you like in vocals. Yum.

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Are these tube dampers. Where do you get these?
 
wisnon said:
Yes, when I first spoke to Lukasz about the Bal Dac, he said the soundstage would increase MASSIVELY, not 10 to20% but 300%! Joe, you were the first on to confirm it for me.
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Hi Norman,

Would I experience an improvement in soundstage with the balanced Big 7 over the SE even though my preamp is an unbalanced design? I have Soulution 520 preamp, 501 mono amps and Raidho D3.

Thanks,
Ken
 
Audiophile bill said:
Been unleashing some dsd256 today - native dsd free downloads. They really are very special recordings and sound quite like nothing else I ever heard from a source before. I have moved over to foobar which seems to have hardly any cpu load at all even upsampling to dsd256. Hqplayer sounds better but my laptop just can't handle it - seems strange why it is so intensely demanding of cpu than foobar. Anyway - back to listening and happy weekend.
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Much better modulation engine. Simply better math.
 
Audiophile bill said:
Only listen to it if you have the budget ready to go though :D. To hear is to want I warn you. It is a truly spectacular dac - the thing that gets me is that the resolution of detail is exceptional yet it does the crazy 3d soundstage and remains lovely and smooth. Often the detail machines can leave you a little cold or the soundstage is too rigid without liquidity. Conversely, typically you have to trade the finest details with valve based dacs and accept the enhanced musicality. The bridging of these camps makes it special. The soundstaging (I am a self confessed soundstaging junky) is so special - I have never heard a source do 3d like it including analogue sources. The image projects forwards and backwards by margins I have not heard before. The other thing that gets me is the purity of voices - so tactile and real.
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Yup, the GHOST in the room. You can hear, but you dont actually see. Quite an illusion.
 
Alpinist said:
Hi Norman,

Would I experience an improvement in soundstage with the balanced Big 7 over the SE even though my preamp is an unbalanced design? I have Soulution 520 preamp, 501 mono amps and Raidho D3.

Thanks,
Ken
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I just dont know, but I suspect you would move half-way there. Its a question for Lukasz. I am on holiday, so not sure when I could have a chance to ask.
The soundstage expolsion seems to result from the FULLy balanced implementation, from the Dual mono DSD module and the Balanced output PCM chips thru the Lampi Dac fully balanced internals to the downstream balanced electronics. No SE conversion anywhere to introduce compromise.
 
I have had an obscene number of systems in my house in the last twenty years. My system with a SE Big 7 in it, right now, is the best sounding system I have ever had. To be honest, I can't even imagine how it could be better with a balanced Big 7. That is a scary thought. :exciting: My Salon 2s have never sounded so big and so sweet at the same time. I also have a pair of Raidho D1s. Talk about a BIG 3D soundstage!!!! I have a hard time going from one speaker to the other because they both sound so amazing.
 
Bruce,

Have you checked out Joe's system yet? As he is fully Balanced, I think he clobbers us SE B7 guys in terms of soundstage, if what I was told is correct.

I am now left to ponder what a Bal GG Dac with Bal 211 amps will sound like....sigh!

Mike, help a dreamer out, huh? LoL
 
wisnon said:
Bruce,

Have you checked out Joe's system yet? As he is fully Balanced, I think he clobbers us SE B7 guys in terms of soundstage, if what I was told is correct.

I am now left to ponder what a Bal GG Dac with Bal 211 amps will sound like....sigh!


Mike, help a dreamer out, huh? LoL
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Norman, I haven't heard Joe's yet. I will get over there soon. He has heard mine, though. I am so happy with my system, I'm not thinking of a change. I have blown up so many great sounding systems, I am not messing with this one. My wife doesn't believe me when I say I am staying put, but I think I mean it this time.
 
Understood Bruce and agree. Why change what you are happy with. i do need DSD256 though....
 
wisnon said:
I just dont know, but I suspect you would move half-way there. Its a question for Lukasz. I am on holiday, so not sure when I could have a chance to ask.
The soundstage expolsion seems to result from the FULLy balanced implementation, from the Dual mono DSD module and the Balanced output PCM chips thru the Lampi Dac fully balanced internals to the downstream balanced electronics. No SE conversion anywhere to introduce compromise.
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Thanks Norman,

Enjoy your holiday!

Best,
Ken
 
wisnon said:
Understood Bruce and agree. Why change what you are happy with. i do need DSD256 though....
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Just saying that I would have to be convinced. The B7 is the best DAC I have heard. If the balanced B7 and the GG are that much better…..WOW!!!!!
Joe is going to help me with HQPlayer. I have a huge DSD library to explore and I do have DSD256. So much fun.
 
I can't wait for Bruce to experience his DSD. His system sounds amazing. I honestly don't know how it can get much better.

Bruce has no lack of 3D, perfect vocals, air, separation and room filling music. It's like the band setup in his room.
 
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wisnon said:
Bruce,

Have you checked out Joe's system yet? As he is fully Balanced, I think he clobbers us SE B7 guys in terms of soundstage, if what I was told is correct.

I am now left to ponder what a Bal GG Dac with Bal 211 amps will sound like....sigh!

Mike, help a dreamer out, huh? LoL
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:D

Maybe Bruce should wait until I get my balanced Golden Gate broken in first. YES! It's on order and I am dying for it to arrive. :panic:
 
joeinid said:
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Hi guys,

My system is really prone to ground loops for some reason and the Lampi has caused me a low level hum loop that I need to fix. Lukasz very kindly designed me this custom DHT grounded tube cage - if you look carefully you can see the wires that then clip into a special grounding post inside the Lampi rear right tube socket. He tested this in his studio and this lowers the noise floor even lower. He did this for free so kudos to Lampi for going the extra mile for their customers! You won't get that custom / bespoke upgrade from the mainstream!

cheers
 
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