@ majnun70, glad that you started this thread. Don't own either now - had the Lumin A1 - but these would be among those that I would be looking at when the upgrade itch starts.
It helps that both can be used as a preamp to drive a power amp directly, although the DAVE uses digital attenuation whereas the Lampi (if so equipped) uses an analog one.
The difficulty in obtaining comparative views is that different forums tend to talk more about one than the other.
For example, over at headfi, the DAVE reigns supreme, in that many owners tend to post positively about it, and have compared it to other top notch contenders, such as MSB, Nagra, Berkeley and even dCS. Most though tend to use it with cans and the headphone amp rather than with a 2CH system. Oddly enough, there are few posts there about the Lampi Big 7/GG, let alone direct comparisons against the DAVE.
Otoh, Lampi owners/fans tend to post in forums where not many DAVE owners post.
IMO only, I view the DAVE as being more advanced from a digital technology perspective, with its FPGA based, proprietary, DSP filter - WTA (Watts Transient Aligned) and its ability to better depth of soundstage compared to others.
Chord has now introduced the Blu2 and, although marketed as a CD transport, its USP is its oversampling function. Combined with the DAVE, it claims to be able to do 1,000,000 taps filtering (the DAVE only achieves 164,000 taps).
There is then the promise of a new type of Chord amplifier in future, where the D/A conversion takes place at the amplifier and not in the DAVE. So, the DAVE will send 705/768 kHz digital signals to the amplifier, which will then perform the D/A conversion and amplification.
Chord product lines tend to be more stable, without frequent improvements. But, they employ switched mode not linear power supplies, do not use much in terms of exotic parts and employ digital attenuation (but with 69-bit (?) precision). And, they are SS.
OTOH, IMO, Lampi tends to focus on the power supplies, DHT output stage and exotic parts. Their R2R section is, afaik, based on the Soekris modules and they employ an analog VC (TAIV VC-03). They have not (by intention, I believe) disclosed what "digital engines" they use. Frequent tinkering and improvements in product specifications are not unusual.
Both have their devotees. If you are in the US, Mike would be able to demo both for you or even, I assume, loan the DAVE to you.
As an alternative to DAVE and, possibly a left field choice (its too affordable), there is the T+A DAC8 DSD.
Over at Computer Audiophile and WBF, some have compared this with the DAVE and say that, when fed with a DSD512 signal upsampled using HQ Player, it can outpoint the DAVE. It also has an analog volume control. This is on the assumption that you use or are willing to use a Windows PC server.
