Lampizator Golden Gate

Early feedback from the new DSD KOMPUTER by Lampizator in a $$$$s system.
Kondo amps, GG Dac, Tidal L'Assoluta speakers, Zanden Transport and 2 world class TTs (one air-bearing) …not yet fully deployed is the TriPoint Troy ground.

Well Wisnon, my holiday is nearing its end. So after the visit of Lukasz and after I dropped him off at Schiphol airport I started listening very intensively to all kind of dsd files (and with some you are quite familiar��) from eg Channel Classics, Pentatone, Mercury, RCA (Living Stereo), Highdeftransfertape, etc. I already described earlier on this thread that the Tidal LA speakers are phenomenal. However, the dedicated server Lukasz built for me is extraordinary as well and is driving the Lampi Golden Gate to levels I had not experienced before. Good dsd on the Tidal LA's is way better than I had ever antipated. As a matter of fact, the system sounds so awfully good that for the first time in my life I am really sad that from next Monday onwards working life starts again.
 
I think the balanced version could be better, even if you are an SE person, because it mildly restricts your tube rolling possibilities. This will save more than the price difference between the DACs over time. I suppose if you need real WE 101D globes or 300Bs, this logic fails.
 
More feedback from the NLs.

Lukasz of Lampizator fame visited me yesterday and today in order to install his dedicated server for my Lampi Golden Gate dac. He loved the Lampi sound through the Tidal LA loudspeakers. As a matter of fact he adored the Tidal LA loudspeakers and agrees with me that they are transparency kings while simultaneously sounding very pure.
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Starting to understand what the Lampi 'hype' is all about. In combination with the new dedicated server that Lukasz only very recently finished I experience a tonality to die for and - depending on the recording of course - a huge soundstage. Wish I would be able to combine all this with a Tripoint emperor because I am sure this would add another dimension to what I am already hearing right now. Anyway, there is still an awful lot to discover.
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Originally Posted by microstripVery interesting. What do you feel about the DSD in GG versus Hirez PCM in the Trinity in terms of listener envelopment?
Very difficult (and also too early) to compare. In particular the loudspeakers in both my systems are very different but of course also single ended tube amps sound different compared to push pull tube amps. Furthermore in the Genesis set up I use the mighty Tripoint emperor and in the LA set up 'only' the Tripoint Troy signature.

I am not amazed at all that (good) dsd recordings sound very impressive when played in their native mode although they sound better than I had hoped for. Actually, Jared of Channel Classics urged me a few times to get a good dsd dac in order to hear his recordings in full glory. That said, good pcm recordings - such as for example some really fine 24/96 Chandos recordings (I listed a few of them elsewhere of WBF but stopped 'fueling' that thread as the participation of other members was rather dissappointing) - sound fantastic through the Trinity combo as well. I know some guys out there prefer all pcm recordings converted to dsd through the Lampi dac. I am surely not there yet.

For now I can only say: Lukasz really created something extraordinary with the combination of his dedicated server and the Lampi Golden Gate dac. Together with the Tidal LA's, Kondo amplification and my other components in this set up I believe we created a marvelous sounding system that provides immense (listening) pleasure.
 
Well, now someone is selling their 4.5 to try to get my Big 7. That's the Lampi hype for you. I think most sales are moving up the chain.
 
sfox7076 said:
Well, now someone is selling their 4.5 to try to get my Big 7. That's the Lampi hype for you. I think most sales are moving up the chain.
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My Dutch buddy above told me that most Lampi orders nowadays is GG!
 
wisnon said:
Bill,
No you don't. The Bal lines are combined together for SE and so the Bal track ends there. To get Bal benefits, you have to be fully internally balanced from start to speakers.

Its important to note that Bal is NOT "better", just like a 4wd SUV Cayanne is not better than 911 roadster, just built to be different.

In the case of the Dac, Bal starts with a distinct advantage…the chip output is ONLY balanced and so if electronics are all fully balanced downstream, its the purest chain possible. I assume the DSD will be dual mono too, so same PCM advantage applies there too.

Remember, Lukasz does not make "faux Balanced", it is fully internally balanced with double the components, and thus why it costs significantly more.

Having said all that, if you have SE electronics, then no advantage to getting a Bal Dac….UNLESS you leave the option open to getting Bal maps later. I assume that SE output in the Bal Dac should be about equivalent to a SE Dac.
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Norman,

If the cable runs are short, I can't come up with a logical reason why the Lampi balanced DAC in a balanced system would sound superior (i.e. noise floor, soundstage, etc.) to the Lampi SE DAC in a SE system. If my logic is flawed, please provide a technical explanation to the contrary.

Thanks so much,
Ken
 
Ken,

Other than some form of interference that would be prominent to a person's area, I agree. That said, I live 500 feet from a radio tower and get no RF interference.
 
Alpinist said:
Norman,

If the cable runs are short, I can't come up with a logical reason why the Lampi balanced DAC in a balanced system would sound superior (i.e. noise floor, soundstage, etc.) to the Lampi SE DAC in a SE system. If my logic is flawed, please provide a technical explanation to the contrary.

Thanks so much,
Ken
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I think what Norman is saying is that chip is balanced in a dac so the whole balanced topology makes sense (as compared to analog where you can keep things in SE except in the case of long ICs where ground loop avoidance necessitates balanced). I wouldn't know
 
Alpinist said:
Norman,

If the cable runs are short, I can't come up with a logical reason why the Lampi balanced DAC in a balanced system would sound superior (i.e. noise floor, soundstage, etc.) to the Lampi SE DAC in a SE system. If my logic is flawed, please provide a technical explanation to the contrary.

Thanks so much,
Ken
Click to expand...

Ken, as I posted before...every PCM chip is ALWAYS Bal output. the Bal Dac has Dual mono DSD implementation, so the signal sources start as Bal and SE is THIS case, is the compromise, as it demand a conversion, unlike with analog sources (normally SE starts with the advantage). On top of that, the Bal Dac runs a differential summator circuit that eliminates/cancels digital noise. This is what I got when I probed Lukasz with the same questions, as I know in general he is a SE lover.

Exactly why the SStage explodes, I dont exactly know...
 
bonzo said:
I think what Norman is saying is that chip is balanced in a dac so the whole balanced topology makes sense (as compared to analog where you can keep things in SE except in the case of long ICs where ground loop avoidance necessitates balanced). I wouldn't know
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Yeah, what you said...
 
wisnon said:
Ken, as I posted before...every PCM chip is ALWAYS Bal output. the Bal Dac has Dual mono DSD implementation, so the signal sources start as Bal and SE is THIS case, is the compromise, as it demand a conversion, unlike with analog sources (normally SE starts with the advantage). On top of that, the Bal Dac runs a differential summator circuit that eliminates/cancels digital noise. This is what I got when I probed Lukasz with the same questions, as I know in general he is a SE lover.

Exactly why the SStage explodes, I dont exactly know...
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Thanks for the explanation Norman and Bonzo!

Ken
 
Does Lampizator only do two channel or is there a multichannel version? I am having problems figuring that out on his website. If not, any know if there are any plans in the future? Thanks, Larry
 
bonzo said:
2-ch, no MCh, not plans for any. Exasound does an MCH dac.
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Thanks, K. I have the Exasound E28. I have been looking to see whether there is something even better. I am going to try the new Merging NADAC mch. Just wanted to see whether Lampizator was thinking about doing one also.

Larry
 
IMG_1283.JPGIMG_1285.JPGIMG_1290.JPGIMG_1279.JPGIMG_1319.JPGIMG_1299.JPGSo I have had my GG for several weeks but haven't had a chance to get things hooked up and properly positioned. i spent most of this week reorganizing, a little painting, and running a couple new AC lines. My system has never sounded this ****** good. here are a few snapshots I took earlier today.

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