Lampizator Owners & Discussion Thread

[Plasmod3]

25 minutes ago, Mendes said:

WOW Ian, that's a lot to get one's head around.

Cool man 

haha thanks - those duelands are much much bigger than the miflexes they replaced so i cant tack them down but looks aside it sounds really really good:-) all the signal resistors are placed as well as the signal lines i use as well 

[Plasmod3]

I had a lot of fun tonight... No idea how it sounds but haha what a blast! Never used that many blackgates on a router board before. Should be fun!

[kjj11]

I had a Lampizator Golden Gate in my system (JBL DD67000, AN Ankoru/II)), sold it and now I miss the silky sound. Dream about Lampizator Pacific.

 

But, perhaps I'll take a step back for now with the new version of Lampizator Atlatic 3 TRP - especially since it is highly praised.

https://www.hifiverse.io/articles/audio/review-of-lampizator-atlantic-3

 

I also had the previous version of Atlatic, it is pleasant, but the resolution is slightly less than on GG. I'll listen to the new one

[Silver Audiophile]

8 hours ago, kjj11 said:

I had a Lampizator Golden Gate in my system (JBL DD67000, AN Ankoru/II)), sold it and now I miss the silky sound. Dream about Lampizator Pacific.

But, perhaps I'll take a step back for now with the new version of Lampizator Atlatic 3 TRP - especially since it is highly praised.

I also had the previous version of Atlatic, it is pleasant, but the resolution is slightly less than on GG. I'll listen to the new one

Stas, you can't go wrong with a Lampi DAC. Magic organic tubey glow to all of them! Get the best one your budget permits. 

I also own (besides my Lampi), an Abbas and Audio Note Kit Signature DAC. All tubey DAC glory!! Mild variations on heaven. 

 

 

 

 

[Plasmod3]

On 24/09/2024 at 11:03 PM, Plasmod3 said:

I had a lot of fun tonight... No idea how it sounds but haha what a blast! Never used that many blackgates on a router board before. Should be fun!

i can truly say that it is mods like these that make my day. it sounds absolutely fantastic:-) couldnt be happier. am goingto explore the next step with the model up 

[Plasmod3]

1 minute ago, Silver Audiophile said:

Stas, you can't go wrong with a Lampi DAC. Magic organic tubey glow to all of them! Get the best one your budget permits. 

I also own (besides my Lampi), an Abbas and Audio Note Kit Signature DAC. All tubey DAC glory!! Mild variations on heaven. 

 

 

 

 

i totally agree - the dac has to be a tube dac. just got a staxx1t - cantwait to see how it sounds . the an dacs need a bit of a mod though to sound the best . abbas i am looking forward to - the psyche order is in and waiting on its build. the main difference between all these dacs is the ship the use - only lampi can play high res with the akm chip , with the rest - there are certainly advantages to the tda or the ad chipset used

[Silver Audiophile]

2 minutes ago, Plasmod3 said:

i totally agree - the dac has to be a tube dac. just got a staxx1t - cantwait to see how it sounds . the an dacs need a bit of a mod though to sound the best . abbas i am looking forward to - the psyche order is in and waiting on its build. the main difference between all these dacs is the ship the use - only lampi can play high res with the akm chip , with the rest - there are certainly advantages to the tda or the ad chipset used

The ANK 2.1 Sig DAC I bought from you - sounding absolutely phenomenal indeed! Indeed positive mods were made to enhance it's performance. The most analytical of three brands. Amazing bass and tonal fullness still. 

The Abbas Psyche DAC will in all likelihood be bordering on analog nirvana 

Your Abbas Psyche will use the TDA1541 R or Crown chipset. As far as I have heard, nothing matches it in the realm of human vocals. 

 

[Plasmod3]

indeed - stock ank is  a meh but with the right mods in there  it really shines . forgot to mention dave you can get an upgraded dac chip for the 2.1 you got from me - from memory it is it n-j or n-k version of the chip which i understand is an uprated chip on the production line - a cheap mod:-)  the crystal  input chip can also be upgraded ; ank uses a made in china one and there is a guy in germany who makes i think a better version 

 

I had a lot of fun upgrading that dac i passed to you my friend:-)

 

psyche comes with the single crown , i have 2 double crowns in my inventory somewhere that i look forward to using  ; we also modified the tube to accept 4v rectifiers as native - that will give it even further gains for sure:-)

 

[MrBurns84]

42 minutes ago, Silver Audiophile said:

Your Abbas Psyche will use the TDA1541 R or Crown chipset. As far as I have heard, nothing matches it in the realm of human vocals. 

 

35 minutes ago, Plasmod3 said:

psyche comes with the single crown , i have 2 double crowns in my inventory somewhere that i look forward to using  ; we also modified the tube to accept 4v rectifiers as native - that will give it even further gains for sure:-)

I have recently compared the stock TDA1541a, R1, and S1 2 crowns.  The R1 is an Y87 chip, the standard and 2 crown chips are from Y88 batch

They're share the same DNA but have different characteristics, the R1 more relaxed sounding, bit tubby in the bass, nice mids.  But the 2x crowns are are noticable step up, it does something magical with the mids especially with vocals, so palpable and realistic, but never harsh or grainy.  Keenly watching your developments with your physche dac @Plasmod3.   

Edited November 5, 2024 by MrBurns84

[Plasmod3]

4 minutes ago, MrBurns84 said:

 

I have recently compared the stock TDA1541a, R1, and S1 2 crowns.  The R1 is an Y87 chip, the standard and 2 crown chips are from Y88 batch

They're share the same DNA but have different characteristics, the R1 more relaxed sounding, bit tubby in the bass, nice mids.  But the 2x crowns are are noticable step up, it does something magical with the mids especially with vocals, so palpable and realistic, but never harsh or grainy.  Keenly watching your developments with your physche dac @Plasmod3.   

thanks my friend:-) indeed something to look forward through  no doubt once i get the psyche i might tinker with it as well . given where my lampi horizon has gone - its a bit of a Frankenstein now ; i dont think any dac is safe with me hahaha:-) i just like to know that i am squeezing my dimes dry  where it is disappointing but with a lot of components marketing themselves as being cost no object - that philosophy is pure marketing only and has not translated to the quality of components within ; sad but true moment for me when i realised it:-) Upgrading so far has not failed me.

 

the only components i have not upgraded an probably never will are my thomas mayers and my wavacs:-0

[MrBurns84]

Love the enthusiasm and craziness factor with your modding Ian @Plasmod3! 

38 minutes ago, Plasmod3 said:

i just like to know that i am squeezing my dimes dry  where it is disappointing but with a lot of components marketing themselves as being cost no object - that philosophy is pure marketing only and has not translated to the quality of components within ; sad but true moment for me when i realised it:-) Upgrading so far has not failed me.

I totally get this and agree wholeheartedly.  

[Silver Audiophile]

On 06/11/2024 at 9:39 AM, Plasmod3 said:

indeed - stock ank is  a meh but with the right mods in there  it really shines . forgot to mention dave you can get an upgraded dac chip for the 2.1 you got from me - from memory it is it n-j or n-k version of the chip which i understand is an uprated chip on the production line - a cheap mod:-)  the crystal  input chip can also be upgraded ; ank uses a made in china one and there is a guy in germany who makes i think a better version 

Ian, this is the ANK2.1 Sig you sold me. Where do I source those upgrade chips?

[Plasmod3]

Yup so input chip is this one

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/166574755368

 

Dac chip is

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/403240978868

 

Hope that helps:):)

[Silver Audiophile]

23 minutes ago, Plasmod3 said:

Yup so input chip is this one

https://www.ebay.com/itm/166574755368

Dac chip is

https://www.ebay.com/itm/403240978868

Hope that helps:):)

Soldering required, or simple plug and play?

 

[Plasmod3]

4 minutes ago, Silver Audiophile said:

Soldering required, or simple plug and play?

 

just remove old chip and plug in new one no soldering needed . make sure you get chip orientation correct when you reinsert , match it up with the current chip

[frankn]

Is the Fezz line of DACs considered to have enough DNA to be in this discussion?

[Anthony1]

Fezz - label says

 

empowered by

LAMPIZATOR

 

and it has one small valve. So as an entry level design that gives users a taste of Lampi design and sound, why not accept it as it could lead to people buying further up the Lampi product line.

I have heard it into Avantgarde Duo2 speakers and all sounded vg.

[frankn]

This is the next model up , 2 tubes in balanced configuration.  
Excuse the promo blurb ;

Equinox Prestige is the world’s only balanced Lampizator-licensed vacuum tube D/A converter designed by Łukasz Fikus. It is also the most affordable D/A converter on the market with the Lampizator logo. The unit is based on PCM1794 chipset and a two 12AU7 vacuum tubes.

[Grizzly]

20 minutes ago, Anthony1 said:

Fezz - label says

 

empowered by

LAMPIZATOR

 

and it has one small valve. So as an entry level design that gives users a taste of Lampi design and sound, why not accept it as it could lead to people buying further up the Lampi product line.

I have heard it into Avantgarde Duo2 speakers and all sounded vg.

 

Coincidentally I heard it into AvantGarde Duo on Wed night!

[Silver Audiophile]

Does anyone have the internal photos of the Fezz Equinox Prestige Balanced DAC. I can only find the one below of the Fezz Equinox DAC.

I see a central PCB board running vertically up the middle of the photo below. This is presumably the main DAC board, with the silver box to the right- the tube presentation housing.

A larger than necessary torroidal transformer power supply (which is good for sound quality). A small bank of 50 cent electrolytic caps for the power rectification . 

As you can see folks, mostly otherwise an empty box, with a mostly very inexpensive parts count. I also have issue with directly soldering tubes sockets to PCBs. The heat cycling of tubes on/off expands and contracts the PCB and eventually leads to dry solder joints.  Very unlike how Lampizator began. This DAC below retails for $4,500 in Australia. I would think one would be much better off (for that money) buying a older Lampi made with premium parts and hand-made point-to-point copper rails, and tube rectification etc. No latest DAC chip cannot compensate for a cheap part count in the rest of the DAC. 

 

 

Edited November 29, 2024 by Silver Audiophile

[MrBurns84]

3 hours ago, Silver Audiophile said:

Does anyone have the internal photos of the Fezz Equinox Prestige Balanced DAC. I can only find the one below of the Fezz Equinox DAC.

I see a central PCB board running vertically up the middle of the photo below. This is presumably the main DAC board, with the silver box to the right- the tube presentation housing.

A larger than necessary torroidal transformer power supply (which is good for sound quality). A small bank of 50 cent electrolytic caps for the power rectification . 

As you can see folks, mostly otherwise an empty box, with a mostly very inexpensive parts count. I also have issue with directly soldering tubes sockets to PCBs. The heat cycling of tubes on/off expands and contracts the PCB and eventually leads to dry solder joints.  Very unlike how Lampizator began. This DAC below retails for $4,500 in Australia. I would think one would be much better off (for that money) buying a older Lampi made with premium parts and hand-made point-to-point copper rails, and tube rectification etc. No latest DAC chip cannot compensate for a cheap part count in the rest of the DAC. 

Wow..this picture speaks a lot for the design vs value proposition to an educated buyer.  This rings alarm bells for me, esp when the asking price is at $4500 AUD.  

[frankn]

If it sounds as good as the reviews suggest the warranty should take care of the rest. 
It seems that Lampazitor have been embedded in the manufacturing from the start and I think they supply the board. 
Attached is a discussion with Fezz, Lampazitor and includes pictures from production of the DAC. 
https://positive-feedback.com/high-fidelity/fezz-audio-equinox-evo-dac/

 

[Silver Audiophile]

Below are two examples of earlier generation Lampizator 'Big series'.

Note the differences (to the Fezz)! In real life, these DACs are gigantic is dimensions.

Point-to-point wiring in the analog output stage and all quality components (the bit running up the centre).

Quality torroid and robust thick gauge twisted wiring (for EMI rejection). Natural wood circuit base to dampen micro resonance/noise. 

Working up from the centre bottom (first pic), a 5U4G large rectifier tube. These rectifiers are usually used in Pre amps or 300B tube power amps!

Here the 5U4G goes into a series of beefy quality filter caps and filter chokes to further smooth out any residual ripples in the DC (located left of the toroid). NB, no 50c electrolytics!! 

Quality of filter caps matters for the final sound. Continuing up the vertical thick B+ High Tension copper conductor, you'll see two 6SN7 tubes (the signal output tubes).

6SN7 are a lovely choice for a DAC, highly resolving and lovely vintage tone. Way superior to nine pin miniture tubes (I'm talking to you 12AU7 tube used in the Fezz DAC)

Saving the best till last, moving up from the two 6SN7 tubes, are a pair of Jupiter 600V (possibly 0.47uF) copper foil caps (some models had Deulund cast cap).

Just these two Jupiter caps are worth $160/each or $320 for the pair! If this was a balanced model, you'd need 4 caps here! Double the money again. 

I think on the Golden Gate or upgraded Big 7s, they used Jupiter 600V 1uF coupling caps and Duelund Silver foil 0.01uF bypass caps. In a balanced model, you're looking at $800 for just those 8 caps! Is it worth it? Hell yeah, the final exist coupling caps are absolutely crucial for the final sound fidelity, bass response, and tonal balance. You do not want to go cheap here. The best and finest caps used for the coupling caps! 

As a side note, higher Audio Note DACs use well designed custom coupling transformers, costing thousands of dollars! 

Also, note the attention to detail, and imagine the time it would have taken to hand solder all the bits together. Point-to-point wiring is labour intensive but worth the fidelity gains for a serious audio enthusiast! These lovely DACs sells used for equal or less money than the two new flimsies mostly empty cheap componentry Fezz DACs (AU$4.5-$6.5K). Are they comparable (sound wise)- Absolutely- no way Jose! Use your ears to judge and logic. No amount of manufacturer paid reviews/advertisements can sway a discerning buyer. 

From the moment you hook up one of these Lampi vintage 'big series' bad boys... the emotional gooey, heartfelt music, absolutely makes me go weak at the knees! 

 

Edited November 29, 2024 by Silver Audiophile

[Mendes]

1 hour ago, Silver Audiophile said:

Below are two examples of earlier generation Lampizator 'Big series'.

Note the differences (to the Fezz)! In real life, these DACs are gigantic is dimensions.

Point-to-point wiring in the analog output stage and all quality components (the bit running up the centre).

Quality torroid and robust thick gauge twisted wiring (for EMI rejection). Natural wood circuit base to dampen micro resonance/noise. 

Working up from the centre bottom (first pic), a 5U4G large rectifier tube. These rectifiers are usually used in Pre amps or 300B tube power amps!

Here the 5U4G goes into a series of beefy quality filter caps and filter chokes to further smooth out any residual ripples in the DC (located left of the toroid). NB, no 50c electrolytics!! 

Quality of filter caps matters for the final sound. Continuing up the vertical thick B+ High Tension copper conductor, you'll see two 6SN7 tubes (the signal output tubes).

6SN7 are a lovely choice for a DAC, highly resolving and lovely vintage tone. Way superior to nine pin miniture tubes (I'm talking to you 12AU7 tube used in the Fezz DAC)

Saving the best till last, moving up from the two 6SN7 tubes, are a pair of Jupiter 600V (possibly 0.47uF) copper foil caps (some models had Deulund cast cap).

Just these two Jupiter caps are worth $160/each or $320 for the pair! If this was a balanced model, you'd need 4 caps here! Double the money again. 

I think on the Golden Gate or upgraded Big 7s, they used Jupiter 600V 1uF coupling caps and Duelund Silver foil 0.01uF bypass caps. In a balanced model, you're looking at $800 for just those 8 caps! Is it worth it? Hell yeah, the final exist coupling caps are absolutely crucial for the final sound fidelity, bass response, and tonal balance. You do not want to go cheap here. The best and finest caps used for the coupling caps! 

As a side note, higher Audio Note DACs use well designed custom coupling transformers, costing thousands of dollars! 

Also, note the attention to detail, and imagine the time it would have taken to hand solder all the bits together. Point-to-point wiring is labour intensive but worth the fidelity gains for a serious audio enthusiast! These lovely DACs sells used for equal or less money than the two new flimsies mostly empty cheap componentry Fezz DACs (AU$4.5-$6.5K). Are they comparable (sound wise)- Absolutely- no way Jose! Use your ears to judge and logic. No amount of manufacturer paid reviews/advertisements can sway a discerning buyer. 

From the moment you hook up one of these Lampi vintage 'big series' bad boys... the emotional gooey, heartfelt music, absolutely makes me go weak at the knees! 

 

Not a Lampi but detail matters.

Sounds quite good 

[Gryffles]

6 hours ago, Silver Audiophile said:

Below are two examples of earlier generation Lampizator 'Big series'.

Note the differences (to the Fezz)! In real life, these DACs are gigantic is dimensions.

Point-to-point wiring in the analog output stage and all quality components (the bit running up the centre).

Quality torroid and robust thick gauge twisted wiring (for EMI rejection). Natural wood circuit base to dampen micro resonance/noise. 

Working up from the centre bottom (first pic), a 5U4G large rectifier tube. These rectifiers are usually used in Pre amps or 300B tube power amps!

Here the 5U4G goes into a series of beefy quality filter caps and filter chokes to further smooth out any residual ripples in the DC (located left of the toroid). NB, no 50c electrolytics!! 

Quality of filter caps matters for the final sound. Continuing up the vertical thick B+ High Tension copper conductor, you'll see two 6SN7 tubes (the signal output tubes).

6SN7 are a lovely choice for a DAC, highly resolving and lovely vintage tone. Way superior to nine pin miniture tubes (I'm talking to you 12AU7 tube used in the Fezz DAC)

Saving the best till last, moving up from the two 6SN7 tubes, are a pair of Jupiter 600V (possibly 0.47uF) copper foil caps (some models had Deulund cast cap).

Just these two Jupiter caps are worth $160/each or $320 for the pair! If this was a balanced model, you'd need 4 caps here! Double the money again. 

I think on the Golden Gate or upgraded Big 7s, they used Jupiter 600V 1uF coupling caps and Duelund Silver foil 0.01uF bypass caps. In a balanced model, you're looking at $800 for just those 8 caps! Is it worth it? Hell yeah, the final exist coupling caps are absolutely crucial for the final sound fidelity, bass response, and tonal balance. You do not want to go cheap here. The best and finest caps used for the coupling caps! 

As a side note, higher Audio Note DACs use well designed custom coupling transformers, costing thousands of dollars! 

Also, note the attention to detail, and imagine the time it would have taken to hand solder all the bits together. Point-to-point wiring is labour intensive but worth the fidelity gains for a serious audio enthusiast! These lovely DACs sells used for equal or less money than the two new flimsies mostly empty cheap componentry Fezz DACs (AU$4.5-$6.5K). Are they comparable (sound wise)- Absolutely- no way Jose! Use your ears to judge and logic. No amount of manufacturer paid reviews/advertisements can sway a discerning buyer. 

From the moment you hook up one of these Lampi vintage 'big series' bad boys... the emotional gooey, heartfelt music, absolutely makes me go weak at the knees! 

 

A bit of context is required. 
 

There are electrolytic caps after the rectifier and also after the filter chokes. The film caps are in the last position. 

 

The Fezz dac costs $4500 and an Lampi Atlantic or Baltic are 6000 euro ($9700 aud) so over twice the price.

 

A Big 5 similar to the pics you’ve posted cost $6850 in Nth America when released ($10500 aud) and that was many years ago now so would be significantly more today.

 

So the Fezz dac is not so bad and should be judged on its sound at its price point. 
 

I’m certainly not trying to dismiss what you’ve written as I agree that some of the older Lampizators are very, very good value and built like battle ships. In fact the brands build quality is excellent