New DAC recommendation after Lampizator ?

Paul

Paul

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2013
Messages
4,977
Location
Toronto,Ontario
I love my Lampizator Big 7 Gen4 that I purchased Lukas directly couple of years ago, but lately it giving me the bit of trouble and all my tech guys in area refuse to fix it....sigh.... so trying to replace the unit that can compete with Lampi sounds.

My budget is under 8K wonder whats out there ,has to be reliable and hint of warms sounds.

Thank you in advance.
 
Several that might interest: Bricasti M1 (used?); PS Audio Direct Stream; Ayre QX-5 Twenty (new modular pricing based on inputs selected).
 
I was also going to suggest Bricasti. I really like the PS Audio Direct Stream but not so sure it would meet the warm criteria, perhaps the Perfect Wave would be better. The Direct Stream converts everything to DSD if that's any +/-.

I was able to hear the Lampi, I believe L7 and compare it to the Directstream, same system. The presentations were very different. The L7 sound was big and bold, that may be difficult to match.

I was jokingly going to say, is there anywhere to go from Lampi? Have you contacted Fred or emailed Lukas? My friend is a Lampi user and they always seem to take care of him.
 
GSOphile said:
Several that might interest: Bricasti M1 (used?); PS Audio Direct Stream; Ayre QX-5 Twenty (new modular pricing based on inputs selected).
Click to expand...

My friend just traded in Bricasti to PS audio and quiet happy with it. Its on my list too. Thanks
 
Mr Peabody said:
I was able to hear the Lampi, I believe L7 and compare it to the Directstream, same system. The presentations were very different. The L7 sound was big and bold, that may be difficult to match.

I was jokingly going to say, is there anywhere to go from Lampi? Have you contacted Fred or emailed Lukas? My friend is a Lampi user and they always seem to take care of him.
Click to expand...

Yes, I hear you. I brought my Lampi to PS audio dealer to compare it and it was same result. The Lampi sounded much more big and bold.

I sent message to Lukas but haven't heard back from him yet. I'm sure he's busy with new Dac he launched. I get too much hissing sounds from my DAC its so noticeable now and time to do something.
 
Paul

Look at Aqua La Scala Mk. II Optologic, it has a tube/Mosfet hybrid circuit. Atelier Audio in Montreal is the Canadian Distributor. I deal with Mark at Well Pleased AV who is the US distributor. Also Joe has owned the Lampi and the Ayre and now a Directstream DAC so talk to him about the differences.
 
Paul

Another thought, though way below your stated maximum, is the Musical Paradise unit that many of us have owned and I still use everyday. I assume from all you years with tube gear that you have a stash of rectifiers and small signal tubes so you can order the unit with the AKM 4497 DAC chipset and the stock tubes. Once it has hours on it you can roll the tubes or if you feel the need the capacitors all of which you can get locally from Chris at Parts Connexion if you don't have them. You would be out about $1500 and you may be surprised like I have. Garry's in Edmonton so you can contact him in advance of buying.
 
Paul, the Aqua Formula would be right up your alley.

i cant see you liking Bricasti with your preferences.
 
I've asked myself this question a few times lately as every now and then I feel that all the exposed tubes is a bit inconvenient for me due to lack of space etc. I have been looking around for alternatives, and as per KeithR's suggestion above I tend to come back to the Aqua Formula. I have not heard it yet though. The Formula is also quite expensive, but they do seem to take care of their customers with upgrades etc, just as LampizatOr does. Other DAC's that has been on my radar includes Playback Design Merlot and MSB Analog. However, I still love my Lampi very much and I'm not sure that I can see myself parting ways with it.

Generation 4 is also getting quite old, maybe you should look into upgrading or refurbishing your Big7 into today's specs instead of going sideways/backwards? I'm pretty sure Lampi would help you and take care of the issues you are experiencing. My own Lampi journey has been from L4G5, Atlantic to Golden Atlantic and I think with each model they have felt more mature and polished.
 
What country are you in, Paul? We do have a warranty program and our own techs in the US...

We also have a very generous trade in program that could easily get your a much fresher Lampi within your budget... If you loved your gen 4 for so long, you really need to hear where we are today as we trickle out generation 6.
 
Maybe Metrum Pavane or Adagio? I auditioned Adagio and it was really impressive especially for orchrstral music. It was pretty analog-like as well.
 
Paul wait and see what Lukasz replies to your email or contact Gopher, you seem to like Lampi so maybe it´s time for an upgrade? My thoughts are that those $8000 might get you a good improvement, adding trade in might get you even further. Gopher / New York aren´t that far away from Toronto.
 
Jack said:
Paul

Another thought, though way below your stated maximum, is the Musical Paradise unit that many of us have owned and I still use everyday. I assume from all you years with tube gear that you have a stash of rectifiers and small signal tubes so you can order the unit with the AKM 4497 DAC chipset and the stock tubes. Once it has hours on it you can roll the tubes or if you feel the need the capacitors all of which you can get locally from Chris at Parts Connexion if you don't have them. You would be out about $1500 and you may be surprised like I have. Garry's in Edmonton so you can contact him in advance of buying.
Click to expand...

Thanks Jack. Interesting. I never heard them either. I might contact Chris at Parts Connextion I made several business with him before. Thanks for advise.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
KeithR said:
Paul, the Aqua Formula would be right up your alley.

i cant see you liking Bricasti with your preferences.
Click to expand...

Hmmm I would love to hear the Aqua. Which I never heard/seen it before. Have you heard it Keith ?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Gopher said:
What country are you in, Paul? We do have a warranty program and our own techs in the US...

We also have a very generous trade in program that could easily get your a much fresher Lampi within your budget... If you loved your gen 4 for so long, you really need to hear where we are today as we trickle out generation 6.
Click to expand...

I'm in Toronto Canada Gopher. I contacted some well known tube gear guru and either no reply or refuse to touch with it. What is the my option Gopher ? I was really happy with the sounds of my DAC except recent noise issue and ofcoz push button on DSD whenever I like to listen to DSD.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Paul

Atelier is just the distributor so check with them and see if they have a stocking dealer in your area. The model Keith is referring to is about $15K the one below it with the tube input section is about half that.
 
Paul,

I am sure you know of Lampizator's generous upgrade route so that should be your first choice IMO.
But if you are on the lookout for alternatives, two brands that have impressed me are TotalDAC and Aqua.

The TotalDAC sound is very organic and the least "digital" - forgive the cliche.

At Munich in May, three very good rooms had TotalDAC stacks - Engstrom, Marten and Absolare.
I have no idea about sales support for TotalDAC in Canada.

Regards
 
Another option is the Accuphase DC-37. Warm-ish sound and rock solid reliability. Gorgeous to look at also.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top