Lampizator or PS Audio Directstream DAC Mk2?

[Undecided_Dave]

@Undecided_Dave in the end it also depends a lot on what kind of music you like. If you mostly listen to electronica & metal then maybe solid state is better.

Do you have experience with modern good tube gear? I think many of us pursued tubes because it has that je ne sais quoi that just sounds right, and makes timbre, vocals, instruments and the overall musical picture just seem so realistic. Yes, very high end solid state can be also very good, but to my ears I prefer the tube magic still because it's that last 10% that makes all the difference. Personally I wouldn't want my upstream source to be based on MOSFETs or opamps.

The source supplying the data to the DAC can also really impact the sound. In the end, it's all synergy.

I Have zero experience with Tube gear other than with the Lamp.DAC. It hasn't dissuaded me away from anything. I LOVE the idea of tubes. I loved the midrange and - as you and others say- the natural timbre and space it provides. But if this is done at the expense of bass quality or weight, to my ears it will always suck a little bit. And yes electronic, rock, soul, reggae and funk with occasional jazz and a smattering of classical is all crammed in there. How much is my listening is spent on these genres? Probably 70% on electronica and rock and 20% on soul & funk and the remaining 10% on the rest.

 

[Gjo]

…suffered from a slight softening in the lower and mid bass. (when compared to the others).

I observed similar in my system.

70% electronica? Based on what you’ve written, I’d recommend listening to some solid state offerings in your system before writing a check. From those I’ve heard in my system: Bricasti Design M1S2 or M3, or Holo Audio May KTE. From what others whose ears I trust have told me: Weiss DAC502.

 

[Argonaut]

I mean Seriously @Undecided_Dave , What did you expect ? if you have spent any time reading this forum you should have been drawn to the invariable conclusion that this is a very pro centric Lampizator DAC forum .

 

[Undecided_Dave]

I mean Seriously @Undecided_Dave , What did you expect ? if you have spent any time reading this forum you should have been drawn to the invariable conclusion that this is a very pro centric Lampizator DAC forum .

Well I ask because I'm interested in everyone's opinions. And plenty of people here have other kit too. All very useful stuff. And if you can't ask here of all places where can you go? And thanks to everyone who has taken the time to reply. It is much appreciated.

 

[Argonaut]

And if you can't ask here of all places where can you go?

Well …That’s my very point.

 

[adrianywu]

How have you got it connected and to what, is I2S better than USB?

I just use a generic USB cable to a Mac mini running Audirvana. PS claims that all inputs are galvanically isolated, and that the I2S and the USB inputs should sound indistinguishable. They only recommend using the I2S with their own streamer/transport. I have not tried "audiophile" USB cables, as my friend who promised a loan of some of his cables has not yet sent them to me.

 

[adrianywu]

For what it is worth, the rest of my system is fully tube based. I even built a balanced differential tube tape head preamp for my Nagra TA tape machine and bypassed the machine's native repro electronics. The sound of my system playing tape has been optimised, and I want the DAC to reproduce that sound from the file transfers without adding any of its own characteristic. The PS DAC mkII does that for me. People who want their DAC to do something to the sound, such as fleshing out the midrange, expanding the soundstage etc. might want to look elsewhere, and tubes can do that for you.

 

[Undecided_Dave]

I observed similar in my system.

70% electronica? Based on what you’ve written, I’d recommend listening to some solid state offerings in your system before writing a check. From those I’ve heard in my system: Bricasti Design M1S2 or M3, or Holo Audio May KTE. From what others whose ears I trust have told me: Weiss DAC502.

The solid state version I shortlisted was the PS DAC. Tried tambaqui and Chord also . I discounted both of these other options for a variety of reasons, including aesthetics and/or cost. Your bricasti is just too much of a stretch for me since I already doubled my budget for the Lampi or PS DAC. The 'good' weiss DAC in UK is 10k as is the tambaqui et al. I have to draw the line somewhere before it gets stupid. I really need to have a think and decide what is most likely going to fit not just musically but practically.

 

[Gjo]

The solid state version I shortlisted was the PS DAC. Tried tambaqui and Chord also . I discounted both of these other options for a variety of reasons, including aesthetics and/or cost. Your bricasti is just too much of a stretch for me since I already doubled my budget for the Lampi or PS DAC. The 'good' weiss DAC in UK is 10k as is the tambaqui et al. I have to draw the line somewhere before it gets stupid. I really need to have a think and decide what is most likely going to fit not just musically but practically.

Consider the Bricasti M3 or Holo Audio May KTE. Both priced comparably to (or less than) the PS Audio DSD.

Unless you’re set on the PS Audio DSD as the solid state alternative and simply don’t want to look further.

 

[Undecided_Dave]

Consider the Bricasti M3 or Holo Audio May KTE. Both priced comparably to (or less than) the PS Audio DSD.

Unless you’re set on the PS Audio DSD as the solid state alternative and simply don’t want to look further.

For the Uk the demo of the Holo kit is not available unless you buy in full and trial at home. That's not an option for me. Bricasti has a good spec but again home demo limited. Ruled out as a result.

 

[Gjo]

For the Uk the demo of the Holo kit is not available unless you buy in full and trial at home. That's not an option for me. Bricasti has a good spec but again home demo limited. Ruled out as a result.

Duly noted.

Just to button up…how are you accomplishing your in-home auditions of the Lampizator and PS Audio DACs? Purchase with trial period? Dealer loaner? Other method?

 

[Undecided_Dave]

Duly noted.

Just to button up…how are you accomplishing your in-home auditions of the Lampizator and PS Audio DACs? Purchase with trial period? Dealer loaner? Other method?

Only option for PS DSD and Lampizator is travel to the respective dealer and listen through my own equipment which I took with me. No-one would offer a home loan on any of the equipment mentioned. I also seem to live miles away from where any dealers are so had to pick closest one and drive to it. Lampizator was a 2hr+ drive and PS was 1hr+ drive. Only way I was going to get to listen to the product. Sucks but that was my experience.

 

[Gjo]

Only way I was going to get to listen to the product. Sucks but that was my experience.

There are possible options.

One option is to negotiate your purchase of a new DAC X to allow an audition period with return privilege. 7 days (powered up 24/7) should be enough time to get a very good sense of whether or not you like the DAC. Some dealers will agree to this if you ask.

Another option is to buy used. Often there are super clean DACs available in the UK with original packaging that can be purchased nearly 50% off retail. Then, you have the luxury of evaluating for as long as you like. If the DAC doesn't tick your boxes, then resell it.

Either method can be done with relatively low net cost. Maybe the cost of shipping both ways. I find this cost to be acceptable in exchange for the ability to hear a component with my electronics, with my loudspeakers, in my room.

 

[Undecided_Dave]

There are possible options.

One option is to negotiate your purchase of a new DAC X to allow an audition period with return privilege. 7 days (powered up 24/7) should be enough time to get a very good sense of whether or not you like the DAC. Some dealers will agree to this if you ask.

Another option is to buy used. Often there are super clean DACs available in the UK with original packaging that can be purchased nearly 50% off retail. Then, you have the luxury of evaluating for as long as you like. If the DAC doesn't tick your boxes, then resell it.

Either method can be done with relatively low net cost. Maybe the cost of shipping both ways. I find this cost to be acceptable in exchange for the ability to hear a component with my electronics, with my loudspeakers, in my room.

Regarding "One option is to negotiate your purchase of a new DAC X to allow an audition period with return privilege"

Been there tried that - no dice. I also suggested paying all shipping costs and even paying a deposit. All rejected. Not a single retailer in UK would do that. And because of the distances involved (60-80 miles) no one was close enough to offer to drop it off en route somewhere else. Just too far out the way. Hell I don't even live out in the sticks.SO why is it so hard? OK rant over. I need to think - its decision time. I find I always make my best decisions when I've got slightly less than two beers in me. Time to reach for my beer fridge...

 

[Gjo]

Regarding "One option is to negotiate your purchase of a new DAC X to allow an audition period with return privilege"

Been there tried that - no dice. I also suggested paying all shipping costs and even paying a deposit. All rejected. Not a single retailer in UK would do that.

The way that process has worked for me is the dealer requires full payment before shipping the DAC. 7 days to listen. Then, if I return it, the dealer refunds the payment minus round trip shipping.

If you were suggesting a home audition to dealers without paying for the DAC in advance (offering only a deposit and shipping), then it doesn't surprise me they declined.

 

[keithc]

CUSTOMER CARE | lampizator

www.lampizatorpoland.com

Lampi has an unconditional 1 week home trial period.

 

[Undecided_Dave]

The way that process has worked for me is the dealer requires full payment before shipping the DAC. 7 days to listen. Then, if I return it, the dealer refunds the payment minus round trip shipping.

If you were suggesting a home audition to dealers without paying for the DAC in advance (offering only a deposit and shipping), then it doesn't surprise me they declined.

Exactly. The T&Cs were not favourable for that either so I declined to pay in full.

 

[Undecided_Dave]

CUSTOMER CARE | lampizator

www.lampizatorpoland.com

Lampi has an unconditional 1 week home trial period.

Interesting. I was never offered that. I shall enquire.

 

[Undecided_Dave]

Hi Everyone - I went for the Lampizator in the end. Black faceplate with red metallic top Cover. Delivery sometime just before Christmas. Will let you know how I get on. Thanks for all the your comments.

 

[keithc]

Hi Everyone - I went for the Lampizator in the end. Black faceplate with red metallic top Cover. Delivery sometime just before Christmas. Will let you know how I get on. Thanks for all the your comments.

Congratulations! Which model?

Enjoy in good health! Welcome to the Lampi family.