Pacific dac: Lampizator's new top of the line dac

Golum

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I find this fascinating as I have never heard of these. Where are these switches. Are they standard or only installed upon request
Steve if you look at your spec sheet - at the end of it you should have data about output voltage. If you have numbers for low and high - you have the switch inside.
 
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Steve Williams

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I believe they are now standard. Remove the top cover. There are toggle switches located on the top circuit board, on the back edge close to the output connections.
Overall my system has too much gain so this certainly helps. I ordered mine 12-31-2019.
I reached out to Fred and here is what he told me

"On DACs without volume control there is a "ln internal two position with for a high and low output level"

That's why I guess I hadn't heard of it as mine has volume control
 
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Zero000

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@Ked

What gets me is you think I listened to your advice about the Luxman. The choice was made completely automously.

Ked this is going nowhere. We can't bitch at each other anymore and say anything new.

Post something amusing on the jokes thread.
 
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the sound of Tao

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sbnx

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Are you two done flaming each other?
 
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Golum

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Are you two done flaming each other?
They just have a bit strange way of showing their mutual love feelings - all is good in La la land:D
 

christoph

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Have you compared the KR242 to the RK-KR PX25

I'm not sure I had them both at the same time but the difference remains the same.
The 242 is more transparent and has (even) more gain, the RK PX25 is more robust sounding with a tiny little bit better/more soundstage depth.
Try the RK PX25 in your Pacific Steve, you have nothing to lose ;)

But give them a proper burn-in procedere for a fair compare.

I use this method from the EML Labs website:

http://www.emissionlabs.com/diversen/FAQ.html

Do the tubes need a burn in?

Yes they do! Good Burn-in will assure maximum lifetime and develop the final sound. Lifetime of EML tubes is exceptional long, as you can also see from our guarantee conditions. This also means, the burn-in process may take longer as compared to other tubes. Burn in may take 100…300 hours under normal (home) use conditions. Specially when it seems, burn in takes place only slow, the tubes rather need 300 hours than100 hours. It is better to switch off the amplifier after each use, for best formatting of the cathode. The tubes benefit from the cold periods in between. Some occasional blue glow effects will disappear during burn-in, or may stay. This is not gas, and it is normal. Use different loudness levels from the beginning, and increase the maximum loudness gradually. If tubes were switched off longer than 18 months, is may be necessary to repeat the burn in.
Some background: These tubes are burned-in initially, because factory testing can only be done after the tube data has become stabile, and after a tube has developed strong emission. However emission of the cathode is still not homogenous at this moment. After full burn in, emission is build by many small islands, overlapping each other. Though initially, these islands do not fully overlap. This slow development of a homogenous layer, is the final burn in process. The tube should be give time for this, and not stressed into it. This is why we advise to do the burn-in process under normal use conditions. Many short use periods have a better result than few long periods. Switch off the amplifier after each use, and in the beginning not use the tubes longer than 4 hours at one time. Many short use periods have a better result than few long periods. The tubes need the „cold“ periods in between for best formatting. Use different loudness levels from the beginning, and increase the maximum loudness gradually.
If tubes with very little use were switched off longer than 18 months, it may be necessary to repeat the burn in. So tubes that were not used for some years, may sound unpleasant, and simply need a new burn in.
 

christoph

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I’m running regular KR PX25 in the amps. Unfortunately the Pacific is a UX4 base and the amps are UF4 so they aren’t interchangeable, unless I can find adapters. But pursuing this has crossed my mind. The RK PX25 is not available with the UF4 pin out. I have KR 5u4g rectifiers coming in soon. In this case I could swap rectifiers, but would need another RK 5u4g. However, the RK doesn’t fit in the amp chimney. Could just leave it off too.
Don’t know what the stock tubes would be in these as I knew I wanted KR. The dealer is running 1930’s Marconi’s In his.
These amps are very fresh so I haven’t said anything about them yet. But I can say that the low end and overall dynamics are quite good. Seems remarkable that my dac and amps are using the same basic tubes. Could have gone with a 300b version of the amps, but I prefer the PX25 to the 300b in the dac so applied the same logic to the amps.
Yes, it’s good to have options for the dac. Someday I’ll try the 242.
Does your PAC have the internal output switches to reduce output? Mine does and I run on the lower output setting.

Yes, Please get adapters, this is just too interesting not to do and compare the various options you have :cool:

And see if you can get the RK 5u4g rectifieres as they really sound quite a bit better than the regular KR 5u4g.

Yes, you should give the 242 a try. If the 242 works in your system, then it is magical :eek:

I think my Pacific has that internal gain switch but I haven't found the neccessity to try so far.
Next time I have it open I will have a look...
 

christoph

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I find this fascinating as I have never heard of these. Where are these switches. Are they standard or only installed upon request

I think it would be best to ask Fred Ainsley if your exact Pacific has that switch but I guess your unit has it as well.
 

Golum

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I think it would be best to ask Fred Ainsley if your exact Pacific has that switch but I guess your unit has it as well.
Chris units with VC don't have it as Steve rightly said...I don't have VC so i have it ;)
 

Alrainbow

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I first had the regular 242 in my (ex-)GG1.9 and they were the perfect match :cool:

Later (with my Pacific) I got the RK 242 and gave away the regular ones, so not a direct comparison, then :oops:

But from memory, I would say the regular 242 is a little more "brutally" transparent with a little more gain and the RK 242 is a bit more refined and has a tad less gain. This is with a pinch of salt, obviously.
I feel your reply is spot on cris. Knowing me I like brutality more lol.
 

Alrainbow

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Let me say this. I had a unit with no volume on low it for me hurt dynamics on high it was as it should be. If I were you use the volume in the player to adjust for balance
It does not have any negative affects until it’s lowered let’s 20 % but this is player sensitive. May I ask what player you are using ? Also Roon vol control is not a good one where I river or hq player are good ones
 
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Steve Williams

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I feel your reply is spot on cris. Knowing me I like brutality more lol.

as all of you know my amps are pure class A and as big as they are they are only 32 wpc. I have found that the KR242 with its raw brute strength has awakened my system and brought the sound quality to a level I never thought I could achieve. That is why I have been lazy as to trying the RK-KR PX25 tubes
 

bonzo75

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as all of you know my amps are pure class A and as big s they are they are only 32 wpc. I have found that the KR242 with its raw brute strength has awakened my system and brought the sound quality to a level I never thought I could achieve. That is why I have been lazy as to trying the RK-KR PX25 tubes

Spot on. It does do that
 

bonzo75

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I'm not sure I had them both at the same time but the difference remains the same.
The 242 is more transparent and has (even) more gain, the RK PX25 is more robust sounding with a tiny little bit better/more soundstage depth.

The 242 reflects more the recording soundstage, while PX25 has more of a fixed stage. The 242 stage can therefore be quite gigantic and rise and fall. It also shows much more concert hall ambience, has the highest dynamic range per note and maximum inflection and nuance. Heihei's Pac 242ed into the stern and Heisenberg is the best source I have heard, period.
 

Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
The 242 reflects more the recording soundstage, while PX25 has more of a fixed stage. The 242 stage can therefore be quite gigantic and rise and fall. It also shows much more concert hall ambience, has the highest dynamic range per note and maximum inflection and nuance. Heihei's Pac 242ed into the stern and Heisenberg is the best source I have heard, period.
For me the KR242 is a must have "in my system"

The realism it creates never ceases to amaze me

PS..Don't forget to use Herbie's tube damping rings though IMG_0271.jpeg
 

bonzo75

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I feel your reply is spot on cris. Knowing me I like brutality more lol.

Al, did you manage to listen to the RD 27as or the AD1?
 

Golum

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