Golden Gate DAC arrives.

[wisnon]

tuesday i received a new pair of elrog er300b's and inserted them into the golden gate.

I own the psvane 101d we replicas, the psvane 300b we replicas, the kr242's, and the national union 45's. The kr242's won't work as they overdrive the circuit. All the rest are pretty good if different. I suppose overall i prefer the national union 45's.

But these elrogs are the 'bomb'.


After 2 days of listening i just love how these tubes make the music so much more involving.

wow!

 

[marslo]

I downloaded some time ago nostalgic music from 2L Nordic Sound as DXD files wav 24/352,8 kHz from the album by Trondheim Solistene " Divertimenti" . The old pcm board could not reproduce that, the new R2R one plays without issues with outstanding resolution.
Beautiful music and very good recording btw.
I had yesterday a conversation with Lukasz over the telephone and asked him about the suggested by Blizzard possibilty to install better clock in Amanero board in order to reduce further the jitter level.
Lukasz explained that he tried already some aftermarket clocks and was not convinced to install them. Instead of that he will propose a new hiend Amanero board which the latter will introduce to the market soon, with improved clock parameters . Lampizator will propose this new hiend Amanero board as an upgrade for all B7 and GG owners.

 

[Doak]

I downloaded some time ago nostalgic music from 2L Nordic Sound as DXD files wav 24/352,8 kHz from the album by Trondheim Solistene " Divertimenti" . The old pcm board could not reproduce that, the new R2R one plays without issues with outstanding resolution.
Beautiful music and very good recording btw.
I had yesterday a conversation with Lukasz over the telephone and asked him about the suggested by Blizzard possibilty to install better clock in Amanero board in order to reduce further the jitter level.
Lukasz explained that he tried already some aftermarket clocks and was not convinced to install them. Instead of that he will propose a new hiend Amanero board which the latter will introduce to the market soon, with improved clock parameters . Lampizator will propose this new hiend Amanero board as an upgrade for all B7 and GG owners.

Thanks for the info, on both the DXD playback and possible USB receiver upgrade "straight from the horses mouth."

 

[Audiophile Bill]

Tuesday I received a new pair of Elrog ER300b's and inserted them into the Golden Gate.

I own the Psvane 101d WE replicas, the Psvane 300b WE replicas, the KR242's, and the National Union 45's. the KR242's won't work as they overdrive the circuit. all the rest are pretty good if different. I suppose overall I prefer the National Union 45's.

but these Elrogs are the 'bomb'.

Very very sexy sounding. they have that mid-range fire and sparkle, along with a seemingly lower noise floor and micro-dynamic energy which makes the music more real and engaging. Very nice bass decay and soundstage space and overall presence. It has a lovely texture and nuance.

This is the magic I have been waiting to hear. I love it. and I love them on all types of music. everything is just more real sounding. the separation and organic 3d of the soundstage just pulls me in. the tone is to die for, but there is little rounding or blunting that seems to typically come with that. musical energy just projects. exceptional delicacy and shading.

It’s a bit colored in some ways and not as clean and perfectly behaved as the Trinity….but who cares!!!

Seems to work well with my 1944 RCA 5R4GY ‘WE 274b type’ rectifier. I’ve not yet tried it with my EML 274b yet.

I've been warned that these Elrogs fail, or more properly, previous versions had a high failure rate. I must point out that the dealer has stood behind those failed tubes. so I want to make sure I post that for people to do their own investigations and decide what's best for them. I read thru the thread on Audiogon about this and am satisfied. I spoke to George Lenz of TubesUSA and am comfortable with going with these.

after 2 days of listening I just love how these tubes make the music so much more involving.

Thanks for that feedback!

 

[microstrip]

(...) This is the magic I have been waiting to hear. I love it. and I love them on all types of music. everything is just more real sounding. the separation and organic 3d of the soundstage just pulls me in. the tone is to die for, but there is little rounding or blunting that seems to typically come with that. musical energy just projects. exceptional delicacy and shading.

It’s a bit colored in some ways and not as clean and perfectly behaved as the Trinity….but who cares!!!

Seems to work well with my 1944 RCA 5R4GY ‘WE 274b type’ rectifier. I’ve not yet tried it with my EML 274b yet.

I've been warned that these Elrogs fail, or more properly, previous versions had a high failure rate. I must point out that the dealer has stood behind those failed tubes. so I want to make sure I post that for people to do their own investigations and decide what's best for them. I read thru the thread on Audiogon about this and am satisfied. I spoke to George Lenz of TubesUSA and am comfortable with going with these.

after 2 days of listening I just love how these tubes make the music so much more involving.

Mike, you are becoming a real tube man ... I always felt that Dartzeel and tubes was an wonderful way to go.

 

[Alpinist]

Tuesday I received a new pair of Elrog ER300b's and inserted them into the Golden Gate.

I own the Psvane 101d WE replicas, the Psvane 300b WE replicas, the KR242's, and the National Union 45's. the KR242's won't work as they overdrive the circuit. all the rest are pretty good if different. I suppose overall I prefer the National Union 45's.

but these Elrogs are the 'bomb'.

Very very sexy sounding. they have that mid-range fire and sparkle, along with a seemingly lower noise floor and micro-dynamic energy which makes the music more real and engaging. Very nice bass decay and soundstage space and overall presence. It has a lovely texture and nuance.

This is the magic I have been waiting to hear. I love it. and I love them on all types of music. everything is just more real sounding. the separation and organic 3d of the soundstage just pulls me in. the tone is to die for, but there is little rounding or blunting that seems to typically come with that. musical energy just projects. exceptional delicacy and shading.

It’s a bit colored in some ways and not as clean and perfectly behaved as the Trinity….but who cares!!!

Seems to work well with my 1944 RCA 5R4GY ‘WE 274b type’ rectifier. I’ve not yet tried it with my EML 274b yet.

I've been warned that these Elrogs fail, or more properly, previous versions had a high failure rate. I must point out that the dealer has stood behind those failed tubes. so I want to make sure I post that for people to do their own investigations and decide what's best for them. I read thru the thread on Audiogon about this and am satisfied. I spoke to George Lenz of TubesUSA and am comfortable with going with these.

after 2 days of listening I just love how these tubes make the music so much more involving.

Congrats Mike on the Elrog 300B's! I've been told these are top of the line for new tubes. I hope they work perfectly for you with no QC issues.

Best,
Ken

 

[Audiophile Bill]

I want to unleash the Bughead this weekend. Anyone know of any good guides on how to use it or getting started?

Thanks

 

[Audiophile Bill]

Well I managed to download and get playing with Bughead very easily. I have no idea what the multitude of settings does but I am very impressed with the standard configuration and output in dsd raw mode.

Any tips for the best settings would be most appreciated.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Thank you for sharing Mike, very informative.

wow!

Thanks for that feedback!

thanks guys!

Mike, you are becoming a real tube man ... I always felt that Dartzeel and tubes was an wonderful way to go.

for years I've toyed with being able to have tubes in my system as an alternative. tubes led me to darTZeel as an overall 'better' version of what I liked about tubes. I tried those Found Audio 2a3 mono blocks, I've tried Lamm ML2's, had the big Bernings......but the 458's in my large room simply are too good for tube amps to be a sensible thing to have.

the GG seems to allow me to have tubes but not limit the system performance by tube's inherent characteristics. and like you say, tubes + big boy darTZeel is really an astounding combination.

Congrats Mike on the Elrog 300B's! I've been told these are top of the line for new tubes. I hope they work perfectly for you with no QC issues.

Best,
Ken

it seems perfect so far.

I did order the Takatsuki 274b recti today as I understand the Elrog-Tak is the ultimate Chiznit on the GG.

 

[wisnon]

Well I managed to download and get playing with Bughead very easily. I have no idea what the multitude of settings does but I am very impressed with the standard configuration and output in dsd raw mode.

Any tips for the best settings would be most appreciated.

See the email I sent you! The trick now is to launch from Jriver in up conversion mode..

 

[wisnon]

Oh boy.

Mike you are going whole hog!

Yes, I too run a SS integrated and the tubes are in the source. Lovely combo.

Audiocrack is finally reset up and back in business. I guess he goes into ultimate fine tuning mode now for pushing the setup to the limit of performance.

 

[Audiophile Bill]

thanks guys!



for years I've toyed with being able to have tubes in my system as an alternative. tubes led me to darTZeel as an overall 'better' version of what I liked about tubes. I tried those Found Audio 2a3 mono blocks, I've tried Lamm ML2's, had the big Bernings......but the 458's in my large room simply are too good for tube amps to be a sensible thing to have.

the GG seems to allow me to have tubes but not limit the system performance by tube's inherent characteristics. and like you say, tubes + big boy darTZeel is really an astounding combination.



it seems perfect so far.

I did order the Takatsuki 274b recti today as I understand the Elrog-Tak is the ultimate Chiznit on the GG.

Ha. Mike you have the Lampi bug bad now

Very glad that it is bringing you so much pleasure and working out in such a high end system. Keep us posted on a any other tricks and tips.

Not sure whether you have played with the audiophile USB cables yet - assuming so. I inserted the new Sablon USB cable last night and it was spectacular to be honest.

 

[wisnon]

Ha. Mike you have the Lampi bug bad now

Very glad that it is bringing you so much pleasure and working out in such a high end system. Keep us posted on a any other tricks and tips.

Not sure whether you have played with the audiophile USB cables yet - assuming so. I inserted the new Sablon USB cable last night and it was spectacular to be honest.

He is using the Total Dac. I use the Corning with Regen green.

 

[Blue58]

Ha. Mike you have the Lampi bug bad now

Very glad that it is bringing you so much pleasure and working out in such a high end system. Keep us posted on a any other tricks and tips.

Not sure whether you have played with the audiophile USB cables yet - assuming so. I inserted the new Sablon USB cable last night and it was spectacular to be honest.

Hi Bill,
I've got the full loom of Sablon now, Reserva PCs, Reserva USB, Reserva ICs but still only Panatela Speaker cables due to the Avantgarde pigtail arrangement. It really is sounding good at the moment and don't feel the need to upgrade to GG at present rather spending funds on music. I must have acquired 40 albums this November
Ranging from The Weeknd and Justin Bieber to Lars Danielsson and Bruch with the odd opera thrown in too.

The special qualities of Sablon cables is their ability to improve SQ in all aspects; reduction in noise, greater transparency, depth, width AND height of soundstage, and a relaxed presentation but most of all this is across the ENTIRE frequency range and not just select frequencies. They are HOLISTIC, and I'm saying this as a non believer in alternative lifestyles.

Back to GG and I'm enjoying the reviews of tube rolling in the GG on various forums. Looks like Takatsuki and Elrog are leading the way but obviously dependent on amps downstream. As has been mentioned Synergy is key. Which reminds me of how I balance my system, treating it as ONE entity from utility to room and that also includes the whole house wiring and devices in other rooms.

Have fun guys
Blue58

 

[Audiocrack]

Well I managed to download and get playing with Bughead very easily. I have no idea what the multitude of settings does but I am very impressed with the standard configuration and output in dsd raw mode.

Any tips for the best settings would be most appreciated.

Hi Bill,

You seem to be ahead of me but - as Wisnon mentioned in this thread - I am now back in business. May I ask you the following:
a. In my - admittedly limited - experience I most of the time prefer to play dsd in native mode in stead of upsampling it to dsd 128/256. I experience with the latter a smoother sound, more air/room but also less focus that I do not appreciate, in particular in chamber music. But on eg some Harmonia Mundi recordings of the English Stile Antico ensemble I like the effect of upsampling to dsd 256. What are your experiences in this regard?
b. In what way does Bughead raise the audio level in your view? I only recently started with it and I experience more smoothness/naturalness in the presentation but I have also the impression the sounds becomes somewhat 'darker'. Do you also experience a (somewhat) more dynamic presentation?

 

[Audiocrack]

Tuesday I received a new pair of Elrog ER300b's and inserted them into the Golden Gate.

I own the Psvane 101d WE replicas, the Psvane 300b WE replicas, the KR242's, and the National Union 45's. the KR242's won't work as they overdrive the circuit. all the rest are pretty good if different. I suppose overall I prefer the National Union 45's.

but these Elrogs are the 'bomb'.


Very very sexy sounding. they have that mid-range fire and sparkle, along with a seemingly lower noise floor and micro-dynamic energy which makes the music more real and engaging. Very nice bass decay and soundstage space and overall presence. It has a lovely texture and nuance.

This is the magic I have been waiting to hear. I love it. and I love them on all types of music. everything is just more real sounding. the separation and organic 3d of the soundstage just pulls me in. the tone is to die for, but there is little rounding or blunting that seems to typically come with that. musical energy just projects. exceptional delicacy and shading.

It’s a bit colored in some ways and not as clean and perfectly behaved as the Trinity….but who cares!!!

Seems to work well with my 1944 RCA 5R4GY ‘WE 274b type’ rectifier. I’ve not yet tried it with my EML 274b yet.

I've been warned that these Elrogs fail, or more properly, previous versions had a high failure rate. I must point out that the dealer has stood behind those failed tubes. so I want to make sure I post that for people to do their own investigations and decide what's best for them. I read thru the thread on Audiogon about this and am satisfied. I spoke to George Lenz of TubesUSA and am comfortable with going with these.

after 2 days of listening I just love how these tubes make the music so much more involving.

Well Mike, I am one of the guys that never dared to touch the the various Elrog tubes due to the various 'horror' stories of failing tubes and damaged amps. That said I really hope for you that your Elrog 300b tubes will behave themselves. I am waiting for the special mesh plate tubes Lukasz has ordered to be built for his GG date but I must confess that after your experience I feel tempted to try out the Elrog 300b tubes. But I have not made up my mind yet.

Listened inter alia to a very impressive sounding piano recording. Like it a lot!

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Oh boy.

Mike you are going whole hog!

Yes, I too run a SS integrated and the tubes are in the source. Lovely combo.

Audiocrack is finally reset up and back in business. I guess he goes into ultimate fine tuning mode now for pushing the setup to the limit of performance.

thanks Norman.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Ha. Mike you have the Lampi bug bad now

Very glad that it is bringing you so much pleasure and working out in such a high end system. Keep us posted on a any other tricks and tips.

Not sure whether you have played with the audiophile USB cables yet - assuming so. I inserted the new Sablon USB cable last night and it was spectacular to be honest.

thanks. I am having fun. these Elrogs seem to really get to the heart of the music. the nuance is addictive.

as Norman mentions, I'm using the Totaldac USB on both my GG and Trinity. maybe at some point i'll play around with others.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Well Mike, I am one of the guys that never dared to touch the the various Elrog tubes due to the various 'horror' stories of failing tubes and damaged amps. That said I really hope for you that your Elrog 300b tubes will behave themselves. I am waiting for the special mesh plate tubes Lukasz has ordered to be built for his GG date but I must confess that after your experience I feel tempted to try out the Elrog 300b tubes. But I have not made up my mind yet.

just do it. compared to the stock Psvane 101d WE Replica's they take you to a whole different place/level of consciousness/degree of realism. your Tidal LA's will love it!!!!

every time I sit down to listen the Elrog's show me something in the music that touches my soul. I'm connected. magical. it has that 'below the surface' suspension of disbelief. not in your face but you feel it.

Listened inter alia to a very impressive sounding piano recording. Like it a lot!

piano recordings with the Elrog's have this harmonic fire and sparkle and shimmer. the overtones go to a whole different level.

 

[Audiophile Bill]

Hi Bill,

You seem to be ahead of me but - as Wisnon mentioned in this thread - I am now back in business. May I ask you the following:
a. In my - admittedly limited - experience I most of the time prefer to play dsd in native mode in stead of upsampling it to dsd 128/256. I experience with the latter a smoother sound, more air/room but also less focus that I do not appreciate, in particular in chamber music. But on eg some Harmonia Mundi recordings of the English Stile Antico ensemble I like the effect of upsampling to dsd 256. What are your experiences in this regard?
b. In what way does Bughead raise the audio level in your view? I only recently started with it and I experience more smoothness/naturalness in the presentation but I have also the impression the sounds becomes somewhat 'darker'. Do you also experience a (somewhat) more dynamic presentation?

Hi Rudolph,

Good to hear from you and glad you are back in business! In time for Christmas period - perfect.

In terms of question (a) - I think your observations are absolutely spot on with slightly smoother sound and more air/room. I found the recording to have more space when upsampled to quad. In terms of less focus, it had not drawn attention to itself in negative way tbh - that could be due to system synergy - my system can sound too focussed sometimes so additional smoothness is normally welcome for me. I am running massive Krell ss amps which might have something to do with it. Also your speakers are no doubt far more resolving that my Focal Maestro Utopias and so you are likely revealing more.

In terms of part (b) - Bughead really is quite mad. I have spent all last night till very late and quite a few hours today listening to it. No idea how the hell it does this but the background seems to have a layer of hash removed and so you start noticing crazy resolution in well known recordings - I am hearing feet moving and the tiniest nuances of instruments. It is more dynamic and 3D sounding for me but not as smooth as hqplayer. I have not got my head around the obscene number of settings and permutations yet so I am a mere novice with it. I do see it as my new player though such is the potential...