"To Lampi or not to Lampi?....That is the question." by William Shake-it-up

FlexibleAudio

FlexibleAudio

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Ok, the Lampi stuff seems to be some of the hottest gear on a number of forums these days for lots of reasons. I personally have extreme interest in what they are doing with DSD in the analog domain with no converters. I think this may eventually prove to be the foundation of a Sea Change (oops "William Sh."quote again) in the way digital is approached by designers which favors DSD.

That said, the brand has not been without controversy as it has evolved from a small start-up several years ago to its current position considered by some as one of the more refined digital sounds in audiophile. Namely, as I understand it, some of our members have experienced legitimate quality issues with certain units.

I would like to try in a loving, friendly, "Audioshark kind of way" to dive a little deeper into this issue to put some context around these problems by addressing a few questions.

1) Can those that have experienced problems address the approximate time frame? Example: Prior to say the last 12 months? Prior to the use of PCB's?

2) What units where the culprits?

3) Can those who have had good results with quality provide some feedback on there experiences?

I don't want to start a fire storm so let's "shake-it-up" a bit, but keep it civil.:peace: For me, this is exactly the kind of thing that makes forums worthwhile and the civility of AS is what sets it apart from the rest.
 
I got a Lampi 7 (2 box unit) about two months ago. I paired it with my Pass XS-150 monos/Pass XP-20 preamp/Baetis Music Server, and MBL 101 E speakers. Out of the box, it was a very organic sounding dac. The sense of space between instruments and singers seemed properly placed in the soundstage. The decay and reverb timing were spot on, and I could realize a hall being performed in. The bass was taunt and full, and vocal were absolutely splendid. There was a beautiful flowing quality to the music that no other dac has displayed. That is the quality I remember most. The tubes performed their magic as always.
I did have a bit of a hum issue when I turned the volume up to an aggressive volume setting (playing DSD files only). As with all my other dacs, I have to turn the preamp up at least 30% to 40% more, when playing DSD files ?? I could eliminate the hum by increasing the volume in the JRiver mixer. But I wasn't sure if this would degrade SQ by introducing DSP based volume control ?? When I tried the Lampi with my NuVista 800 integrated, D'Agostino monos/D'Agostino preamp combo, or the Cary 211 SE monos/D'Agostino preamp combo..........I experienced NO HUM ??? So it seemed to be a gain issue with the Pass gear. I had the Pass preamp turned all the way to max volume, when I wanted to thump the system.
I got this unit to demo, as I may want to become a dealer for Lampizator in the future. The owner of Lampizator was kind enough to trade me up the top of the line Lampizator Big 7, for just the difference in parts costs. So I am currently waiting for my new unit to arrive, and complete a new review. I thought the build quality was very nice. The ambilical cords were massive. Not sure what else I can offer at this point, until further reviewing has taken place ?
I was going to let Mike demo this unit for a couple of days.....but he has the same Pass XS amps in his system. So it would have been a poor match. And his downstairs system uses the Devialet, which has a built in dac. So not sure if a demo is possible with his current set-ups. Maybe the Big 7 will play nicer with the Pass gear ??

Happy listening......
 
How would a Golden Gate play with McIntosh tube gear? A C1000T would be used as a pre-amp and power amps would be MC2301s? Could tube gear throughout the audio chain be too much of a good thing?

Being a fully balanced system, I of course would want the fully balanced DAC choice. Clean, quiet, unfiltered, unclipped, EM free output... Is that what we have here?

I am a gear hugger not a gear swapper. So not one to drop a bag of gold coin on a maybe. The synergy has to be a proven match. Reliability, QC and resale demand must be a sure thing, just like it is with the reference classics in the McIntosh brand. I consider a DAC to be a source and have an issue with DACs that are also pre-amps, whether that be in the digital or analog domain. Currently DAC happy McIntosh do not have what I would consider to be a reference implementation. Maybe they will soon...but they tend to take years to formulate a classic and DACs traditionally haven't leant themselves to such a gestation.

We are talking about a DAC that is quite future proof are we? DSD512 offerings are already hitting the market...

A tube powered DAC is a novel idea but raises questions regarding noise risk.
 
Steve said:
How would a Golden Gate play with McIntosh tube gear? A C1000T would be used as a pre-amp and power amps would be MC2301s? Could tube gear throughout the audio chain be too much of a good thing?

Being a fully balanced system, I of course would want the fully balanced DAC choice. Clean, quiet, unfiltered, unclipped, EM free output... Is that what we have here?

I am a gear hugger not a gear swapper. So not one to drop a bag of gold coin on a maybe. The synergy has to be a proven match. Reliability, QC and resale demand must be a sure thing, just like it is with the reference classics in the McIntosh brand. I consider a DAC to be a source and have an issue with DACs that are also pre-amps, whether that be in the digital or analog domain. Currently DAC happy McIntosh do not have what I would consider to be a reference implementation. Maybe they will soon...but they tend to take years to formulate a classic and DACs traditionally haven't leant themselves to such a gestation.

We are talking about a DAC that is quite future proof are we? DSD512 offerings are already hitting the market...

A tube powered DAC is a novel idea but raises questions regarding noise risk.
Click to expand...


I have no experience with McIntosh gear, so cannot offer what type of synergy would be experienced. I had no problem matching the Lampi with my Cary 211 SE tube monoblocks. But I did have it paired with the D'Agostino preamp, which is solid state. I myself think the Lampi dacs are much more future proof than others. Lukasz (the owner/engineer) is constantly making improvements and updates available for very little money. But many audiophiles see this as confusing, and sort of a DIY business model. I myself really appreciate being able to update my current model and not have to dump it at a substancial loss......to buy the "new improved" next year's model. Maybe he would be better off just offering periodic internal parts updates....and not naming it a new version or model name ?? The company does provide for a try-out process, which may work out for you.
With dacs, their is no way to have long term satisfaction......unless your dac manufactuer allows for inexpensive updates as Lampi does. Dac technology is moving way to fast to enjoy "state of the art" playback long term......with the same old piece of gear. YMMV
 
Generally and typically, does the DAC have to go back to Poland for every update?


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Mike said:
Generally and typically, does the DAC have to go back to Poland for every update?


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Click to expand...

Not sure on that one ?? For my update, he provided me his DHL account number, and they picked it up at my door. I imagine most updates would go through Fred, or a local dealer ?
 
Steve said:
How would a Golden Gate play with McIntosh tube gear? A C1000T would be used as a pre-amp and power amps would be MC2301s? Could tube gear throughout the audio chain be too much of a good thing?

Being a fully balanced system, I of course would want the fully balanced DAC choice. Clean, quiet, unfiltered, unclipped, EM free output... Is that what we have here?

I am a gear hugger not a gear swapper. So not one to drop a bag of gold coin on a maybe. The synergy has to be a proven match. Reliability, QC and resale demand must be a sure thing, just like it is with the reference classics in the McIntosh brand. I consider a DAC to be a source and have an issue with DACs that are also pre-amps, whether that be in the digital or analog domain. Currently DAC happy McIntosh do not have what I would consider to be a reference implementation. Maybe they will soon...but they tend to take years to formulate a classic and DACs traditionally haven't leant themselves to such a gestation.

We are talking about a DAC that is quite future proof are we? DSD512 offerings are already hitting the market...

A tube powered DAC is a novel idea but raises questions regarding noise risk.
Click to expand...

Steve-How is anything you said here pertinent to the questions asked by Paul? :hmmm::hmmm:
 
Paul-Back to the topic at hand and the questions you asked...I reviewed the Lampi 4 DAC and loved the sound. http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue73/lampizator.htm I had zero problems with it regarding reliability. Once I had it setup with my server, it worked flawlessly. I had no hum issues. I ragged on the packing in my review because of that Styrofoam packing they used that broke off into microscopic beads that took on a life of their own. I was told that was not their normal packing material. You will need to place the Lampi away from your phono preamp because it will throw out EMI/RFI that will radiate into your phono stage just as my Mytek Stereo 192 does.

I don't care for the looks of the Lampi gear (insert your favorite non-politically correct Polish joke here), but I damn sure love the way it sounds.
 
I will be receiving the DSD only DAC shortly and will critically listen and report. I have zero financial or relationship interest at stake and have told NA distributor I am doing a comparison and reporting online my impressions good or bad especially related to how it compares to my vinyl rigs
 
Looking forward to your impressions Darrin. What model?


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mep said:
Paul-Back to the topic at hand and the questions you asked...I reviewed the Lampi 4 DAC and loved the sound. LampizatOr Level 4 DAC I had zero problems with it regarding reliability. Once I had it setup with my server, it worked flawlessly. I had no hum issues. I ragged on the packing in my review because of that Styrofoam packing they used that broke off into microscopic beads that took on a life of their own. I was told that was not their normal packing material. You will need to place the Lampi away from your phono preamp because it will throw out EMI/RFI that will radiate into your phono stage just as my Mytek Stereo 192 does.

I don't care for the looks of the Lampi gear (insert your favorite non-politically correct Polish joke here), but I damn sure love the way it sounds.
Click to expand...


Oh crud Mark, I didn't know you liked Lampi. Now I have to go pick another DAC. ;)


JK, I actually was very pleased to find your review a while back and see you own one. That certainly adds some credibility.
 
The first Big 7 I got from Łukasz last year, had some noise issues. It was the early PCB-less design. The second sample I got late 2014, and the one I finally got 2 weeks ago, have none of those issues. They are as silent as tube dac can be. Both were the new PCB based designs.

I didn't have any noise issues with my Lampi DSD (gen 5 level 5) either. It was also PCB based (bought 10/2014).

It is my understanding that noise and consistency issues lead Łukasz to introduce the new PCB-based designs.
 
I own a Lampi Level 4/Gen 5 with DSD and analog inputs and my experience with the Lampi name (Fred, Lukasz and Taras) have only been positive. When I first entered the Lampi group, I was a little hesitant as I had never heard of the brand before. I owned a Peachtree Nova and iNova, and Benchmark in the past. I am glad I made the leap. The sound is incredible, but what I really appreciate is the service. I had a hum in my system when I first received my Lampi Gen 4. I shipped it to Taras in NJ and he checked it out. After he found nothing, he checked out my Rogue Audio amp and found the culprit. He repaired for a small fee and here I am with my second Lampi DAC. Obviously, I have nothing but positive experiences. Though my units have been quite reliable, if you are afraid that you need to ship to Poland when something goes wrong, don't be. Fred and the Lampi team will make sure you are happy.
 
Elberoth said:
The first Big 7 I got from Łukasz last year, had some noise issues. It was the early PCB-less design.

It is my understanding that noise and consistency issues lead Łukasz to introduce the new PCB-based designs.
Click to expand...

Adam - thank you for bringing some rational to the discussion. I was wondering about the PCB designs and thinking this should make a dramatic improvement in both SQ and QC.
 
A dealer asked me to check out two units that he had brought in due to some issues. Here's a list of the things I found technically wrong. These were customized level 4 DAC's

Fit and finish of the very cheap chassis was terrible.
It had a significant 60hz hum.
At any level above -20dB it was too hissy and it was volume dependent. -20db gave it a 1.8V output using standard measurement.
The tubes supplied were very microphonic, and changing them would be a nightmare due to the cheap chassis.
It was ordered with USB and two S/PDIF inputs, it was shipped with only one S/PDIF along with the USB.
The remote was from an LG TV and didn't work most of the time.
For the most part it sounded good, but microphonics from the tubes was a problem.
Heat inside the enclosure would have led to failures - no venting for the heat from the tubes. Lukasz didn't think it would be a problem.
Unit was built using 4 circuit boards of varying quality, the wiring between boards was sloppy and had several bad connections that needed repairing before the DAC would work properly.
Lukasz was completely unresponsive to the issues.
The price was way out of line for the build and quality issues.

Both DAC's were sent back
I'm sorry to be so negative about this product as I really wanted to like it, but as delivered they were unsellable.
 
mep said:
Steve-How is anything you said here pertinent to the questions asked by Paul? :hmmm::hmmm:
Click to expand...

Because, I also in the context of a prospective customer, have the same damning questions!!! To Lampi or not to Lampi, that is the question of this thread.

And they are damning from what I have read so far.
 
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