Has anyone compared the RCA vs XLR outputs from their Lampi dac in the same system?

joeinid

joeinid

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I need to make time and put my GAT back in my system and try my Golden Gate RCA outs in my system.

I hope I can arrange my gear by the weekend and do some listening.

My main reason for asking is to see if I can really do without a preamp in my system.

So far I have only gone direct from my GG to my amps via XLR and love what I hear. I want to compare my GAT to a fully balanced preamp and see what I prefer.

Thoughts?
 
Interesting dilemma there Joe. Typically speaking I prefer a pre in the chain - always adds extra dimensionality, sound staging and musicality ime. Direct tends to deliver more detail and speed but just not the long terms listening solution. Now - I am not talking about Lampi cos I have not tested Lampi with vol control - I am talking generically.

I found the balanced outputs provided a larger soundstage - don't know why - it just does. Alas for my system (due to some strange grounding issue) the single ended output was quieter even though my system is fully balanced. Can't find out why but think my home earth is the problem - having a dedicated circuit installed next year.

As a hunch, I reckon the golden gate single ended into you GAT and into your cj amps just could be the best ever. That combo sounds (on paper) simply ridiculous. I look forward to your opinion...
 
I'll report back when I have some answers.

I agree with you and normally prefer a preamp as well.
 
I did try my big 7 with my cary slp 05 and results is.....I'm going to sell the preamp. The big 7 sound much much better without the preamp, just more clear and sweet ,the bass very control and treble is airy. ..with the preamp I just can't listen more then 3 song. I run direct to my both amps, mc601 and cary 805ae...
 
Hi Sonny,

No doubt the Lampi direct to your amps must be wonderful. I am familiar with their sound signature and I have to agree. A perfect balance I am sure.
 
The interesting thing is a guy on computer audiophile sold his Wavac PRT-1 after getting his Lampi B7. But I still say it's a preference and what you like to hear.

That said, when I had my level 5 balanced, and ARC Ref 3 and Ref 110, I couldn't detect a difference direct into the amp on my Martin Logans. However once when I auditioned DIY horns with L5 and ARC Ref 3 but a lighter 300b amp instead of the ARC Ref 110, presence of the pre made a big positive difference.
 
Just to bump this a little ....

I had been using my Lampizator Golden Gate DAC direct to my 28's (and other amps like the 211's and Pass XA60.5) via its XLR inputs and loving the combo. It's a nice clean and simple system.


Well I finally just got around to hooking up my CJ GAT preamp and HOLY COW! I do love a preamp in the chain. I always felt that way but was enjoying the Lampi so much without a preamp and knowing my GAT was not balanced, I felt the result would not be worth the effort.


I was wrong and should have gone with my original instinct and use the preamp. Even through the RCA's and not being balanced I feel the preamp brings the music more towards the flavor I like.

I still want to try a fully balanced preamp. I am letting the GAT warm up and break in again so I know it will only get better. I have not used it in a very long time.

Stay tuned ...
 
joeinid said:
Just to bump this a little ....

I had been using my Lampizator Golden Gate DAC direct to my 28's (and other amps like the 211's and Pass XA60.5) via its XLR inputs and loving the combo. It's a nice clean and simple system.


Well I finally just got around to hooking up my CJ GAT preamp and HOLY COW! I do love a preamp in the chain. I always felt that way but was enjoying the Lampi so much without a preamp and knowing my GAT was not balanced, I felt the result would not be worth the effort.


I was wrong and should have gone with my original instinct and use the preamp. Even through the RCA's and not being balanced I feel the preamp brings the music more towards the flavor I like.

I still want to try a fully balanced preamp. I am letting the GAT warm up and break in again so I know it will only get better. I have not used it in a very long time.

Stay tuned ...
Click to expand...

Ha. I thought this would work out this way. Perhaps an ARC ref 5se might be worth a go as a balanced valve pre?
 
Audiophile bill said:
Ha. I thought this would work out this way. Perhaps an ARC ref 5se might be worth a go as a balanced valve pre?
Click to expand...

After owning the ARC gear (Ref 3 and 110) and having researched 5SE I will say no. In the US they will have access to things like VAC Sig which I would guess is better. VTL 7.5 also much better. Here in EU I would go with NAT any day, even entry level, over 5SE. And some Jadis now comes in at balanced, but more expensive, but lovelier.

Also the 600 ohm output impedance of ARC is much greater than the 150 of VTL, making the latter a much better pairing for SS amps as well. Marty switched from ARC to VTL and found much better improvements all the way.

I think ARC power amps > preamps
 
That thought IMMEDIATELY came to my mind. For the past few hours, while cranking the tunes, I'm researching the hell out of what else besides the ARC Ref5SE would be great for my 28's.

VAC? Not sure what model at a reasonable price.
BAT VK-53se
McIntosh C1100T (would be nice if the SS module was an option)
The ARC REf5se replacement whatever that will be and whenever it shows up.
ARC GSPre
VTL, I think I'd like that ... Hmmmm
?


Audiophile bill said:
Ha. I thought this would work out this way. Perhaps an ARC ref 5se might be worth a go as a balanced valve pre?
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
joeinid said:
That thought IMMEDIATELY came to my mind. For the past few hours, while cranking the tunes, I'm researching the hell out of what else besides the ARC Ref5SE would be great for my 28's.

VAC? Not sure what model at a reasonable price.
BAT VK-53se
McIntosh C1100T (would be nice if the SS module was an option)
The ARC REf5se replacement whatever that will be and whenever it shows up.
ARC GSPre
?
Click to expand...

VTL 7.5 or VAC Sig (I haven't heard the latter)
 
Yes, the higher output impedance of the ARC's concern me. Most of the others are under 200 ohms. My GAT is listed at <100 ohms.

i'll seriously chech out VTL. I've always loved their amps.


bonzo said:
After owning the ARC gear (Ref 3 and 110) and having researched 5SE I will say no. In the US they will have access to things like VAC Sig which I would guess is better. VTL 7.5 also much better. Here in EU I would go with NAT any day, even entry level, over 5SE. And some Jadis now comes in at balanced, but more expensive, but lovelier.

Also the 600 ohm output impedance of ARC is much greater than the 150 of VTL, making the latter a much better pairing for SS amps as well. Marty switched from ARC to VTL and found much better improvements all the way.

I think ARC power amps > preamps
Click to expand...
 
joeinid said:
Yes, the higher output impedance of the ARC's concern me. Most of the others are under 200 ohms. My GAT is listed at <100 ohms.

i'll seriously chech out VTL. I've always loved their amps.
Click to expand...

I got that wrong. VTL output impedance is only 25ohms!
 
bonzo said:
After owning the ARC gear (Ref 3 and 110) and having researched 5SE I will say no. In the US they will have access to things like VAC Sig which I would guess is better. VTL 7.5 also much better. Here in EU I would go with NAT any day, even entry level, over 5SE. And some Jadis now comes in at balanced, but more expensive, but lovelier.

Also the 600 ohm output impedance of ARC is much greater than the 150 of VTL, making the latter a much better pairing for SS amps as well. Marty switched from ARC to VTL and found much better improvements all the way.

I think ARC power amps > preamps
Click to expand...

Wow - I think you buck the trend Ked. Most people think ARC pre > ARC amps. In fact, ARC preamps is really their crown - the product that non-ARC people use in their systems.
 
Audiophile bill said:
Wow - I think you buck the trend Ked. Most people think ARC pre > ARC amps. In fact, ARC preamps is really their crown - the product that non-ARC people use in their systems.
Click to expand...

I know - but I think because that's because of branding and availability. Certainly where we are if you need a product that has good resale value and serviceable, good non-ARC choices for preamps are almost non-existent. I don't like their preamps because they give airiness (good), but do that and the top end at the cost of mid-bass and bottom end. So it makes it airier than it is. I also found them wanting of separation and dynamics for orchestral. The NAT was so much more separated, each instrument coming more rounded and cleaner and real, it made the ARC sound all muddied. Now the Jadis also sounds muddied, but it is lovely. Jadis fails to tick many hifi boxes yet is magical. But in the US VTL and VAC Sig seems to trump ARCs all the time with people who have tried both.
 
bonzo said:
I know - but I think because that's because of branding and availability. Certainly where we are if you need a product that has good resale value and serviceable, good non-ARC choices for preamps are almost non-existent. I don't like their preamps because they give airiness (good), but do that and the top end at the cost of mid-bass and bottom end. So it makes it airier than it is. I also found them wanting of separation and dynamics for orchestral. The NAT was so much more separated, each instrument coming more rounded and cleaner and real, it made the ARC sound all muddied. Now the Jadis also sounds muddied, but it is lovely. Jadis fails to tick many hifi boxes yet is magical. But in the US VTL and VAC Sig seems to trump ARCs all the time with people who have tried both.
Click to expand...

I would certainly like either a vtl 7 or vac sig - big bucks though.
 
Audiophile bill said:
But not balanced...which is the request from Joe.
Click to expand...

not much use in buying a balanced pre amp if it does not sound as good as another pre amp regardless of whether it is connected rca or balanced by adaptor. The GAT will sound better than the ref5se no matter what the configuration.

I know as I wasted $$ on buying the ref5se thinking that it would sound better into the fully balanced D'agostino amp than my GAT. It did not.

Joe has to go up the balanced pre amp tree if he really wants a balanced preamp.
 
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