Lampizator announcement: launch of our all new TOTL HORIZON DAC

[Tuckia]

I'm so ready for TAS !

I thought you were already running TAS. Do you mean XMDS?
That would be the Extreme thread.
Have an espresso bud.
But I concur, either of those would be great. Maybe next week.

 

[Steve Williams]

I'm so ready for TAS !

Ive been running only TAS for the past 2 years. XDMS is on the radar

 

[dminches]

I thought you were already running TAS. Do you mean XMDS?
That would be the Extreme thread.
Have an espresso bud.
But I concur, either of those would be great. Maybe next week.

Maybe he had too many espressos!

 

[Tuckia]

Ive been running only TAS for the past 2 years. XDMS is on the radar

Yes, XDMS. I stand corrected.
it’s easy to remember Roon because it sounds like Ruined.

 

[rau]

Maybe he had too many espressos!

lol somthing like that meant XDMS

 

[rau]

Yes, XDMS. I stand corrected.
it’s easy to remember Roon because it sounds like Ruined.

Tuckia your using a laptop , do you get porn pop ups when looking for music

 

[Tuckia]

Tuckia your using a laptop , do you get porn pop ups when looking for music

Is that what that noise is? I thought a tube was starting to fail

 

[Ron Resnick]

I've been following all that has been written here about the Lampizator Horizon. Been a solid state guy my entire life, back to Phase Linear, Empire TT, Revox A77 (Swiss Made) days. I'm intimidated by the tubes! But also intrigued. Maybe its the tube rolling aspect? I'm using a DV2 with Mephisto/Pandora, JA Pearl 20/20's, Taiko soon to come. Don't think I can get away from Gryphon. System is dialed in. I'm a Blues, Jazz, Classical guy, so the Tube aspect makes that more appealing. If anyone has some advice, input, wisdom, to someone that is thinking Horizon, please share your thoughts with this conundrum...John

Dear John,

I encourage you to not let peer pressure make you feel like you ever have to do any tube rolling. "In Designers We (ah, I) Trust."

I am confident that the tubes I will receive in my future Aesthetix Io (which literally is festooned with tubes, and the rolling of which becomes a separate sub-hobby for many Io owners) and the tubes you would receive in a Horizon from Lukasz will sound wonderful straight from the factory. Plus I am one of those audiophiles who believes that "There should be a tube somewhere in the system."

 

[John T]

Dear Ron,
Very astute of you to pick up on my trepidation of the tube rolling aspect. That is what I actually find intimidating, and when I read about all the different tube options, my eyes gloss over! "In Desighners We Trust" is a good reference. I certainly understand how different tube options can morph into a sub-hobby. I appreciate the input...John

 

[areksz]

Few photos from Munich HighEnd Show :

 

[John T]

What is the longevity of the stock tubes? I average 5-6 hours a day, some days longer. John

 

[Tuckia]

What is the longevity of the stock tubes? I average 5-6 hours a day, some days longer. John

About ten years or more for the output tubes. About 3-4 years for a rectifier.
Powered for 16 hr days or so. Or leave on full time for less power cycles, although this may lessen rectifier duration some.

 

[John T]

Thanks, for that...John

 

[Alrainbow]

About ten years or more for the output tubes. About 3-4 years for a rectifier.
Powered for 16 hr days or so. Or leave on full time for less power cycles, although this may lessen rectifier duration some.

Not to argue but where did you access these figures. life span of tubes is not linear for one. And next smaller less powerful tubes can last longer sound wise.
i find output tubes sound good at less then half of what makers claim.
tube life is simply not in line with sound life.
if you take any tube about half way of what ever life is listed and compare to new burned in tubes and post back lol.
now having said this a lampi is not even close to normal use of any given tube except for a recti tube
it’s why yoda in the past keep output tubes on in standby
I do agree off on cycles is in some ways worse then leaving on. if the output tubes play no music only the heater is being used.
keep in mind as electrons beam back and forth on the plates they do decay increasing conductive resistance. I think it’s called moes or something like this.

 

[Tuckia]

Not to argue but where did you access these figures. life span of tubes is not linear for one. And next smaller less powerful tubes can last longer sound wise.
i find output tubes sound good at less then half of what makers claim.
tube life is simply not in line with sound life.
if you take any tube about half way of what ever life is listed and compare to new burned in tubes and post back lol.
now having said this a lampi is not even close to normal use of any given tube except for a recti tube
it’s why yoda in the past keep output tubes on in standby
I do agree off on cycles is in some ways worse then leaving on. if the output tubes play no music only the heater is being used.
keep in mind as electrons beam back and forth on the plates they do decay increasing conductive resistance. I think it’s called moes or something like this.

Of course your questions and comments are pertinent and not the first time this general question has been asked. I see that you just want to go a little further with it. Admittedly, I gave a brief, concise answer to a brief concise question. A 10 cent answer.

Considering the primary audience, John T, I think I know what he is looking for as I‘ve communicated with him privately already. He’s considering a Lampizator and wondering if the tubes are a PITA and constant cost drain. Just a basic consideration before making a commitment of magnitude.

So what is my reply based on.

1. User comments.
2. Lukasz‘ comments in these forums.
3. The Horizon manual.
4. My experience.

I believe the first DHT offering was the Big 7, which I don’t think has been around 10 years yet. Really doubt there is any test data from users who have had the same tubes in continuous use for that long. If anyone has test information to share, please do. My experience is with the GG models and Pacific. Can’t say anything about the pentodes.

I acquired my RKPX25 output tubes over four years ago. They have been my primary go to tubes and estimate them at 8000 hrs. They often see 16 hr. days. Rarely leaving them on full time. By my ears they are very strong yet. They run very cool at 105F on the top. About 1000 hrs ago I did a direct compare with a new pair of RK PX25. I couldn’t hear a difference.

My RK 5u4g rectifier likewise was my workhorse for 3.5 years, acquired at the same time as the RK PX25. I replaced it with another new RK 5u4g after over 5000 hrs. Back to back there was just a subtle softening of the sound with the older tube. Usable but down a little. These tubes run about 155F on top. Much hotter.

I’ve never lost a tube to failure in my GG, GG2, or Pacific.

So it‘s a quick answer devoid of perfection, comparative, and anecdotal, but suitable for the intended purpose I believe.

How will the Horizon perform? IDK but I suppose the designer has an idea based on theory and experience. Give the manual a read.

 

[Steve Williams]

John

if you have read this thread I am not a tube roller I used the tubes that came with the Horizon, I used a set of tubes that Lukas early announced were his favorite. I then made two purchases based on a Lukasz recommendation and another by Golum. Since then I have no desires to roll. I’m sure there are better but this tube set lights up my ears and yes in the Horizon manual Lukasz strongly encourages the Horizon be left on and one should get 10000 hours of tube life

John. There is no need to tube roll but I think it’s always good idea to have a back up set of tubes. If they are rare now they won’t cist less later and yiu might not even find them

 

[christoph]

Of course your questions and comments are pertinent and not the first time this general question has been asked. I see that you just want to go a little further with it. Admittedly, I gave a brief, concise answer to a brief concise question. A 10 cent answer.

Considering the primary audience, John T, I think I know what he is looking for as I‘ve communicated with him privately already. He’s considering a Lampizator and wondering if the tubes are a PITA and constant cost drain. Just a basic consideration before making a commitment of magnitude.

So what is my reply based on.

1. User comments.
2. Lukasz‘ comments in these forums.
3. The Horizon manual.
4. My experience.

I believe the first DHT offering was the Big 7, which I don’t think has been around 10 years yet. Really doubt there is any test data from users who have had the same tubes in continuous use for that long. If anyone has test information to share, please do. My experience is with the GG models and Pacific. Can’t say anything about the pentodes.

I acquired my RKPX25 output tubes over four years ago. They have been my primary go to tubes and estimate them at 8000 hrs. They often see 16 hr. days. Rarely leaving them on full time. By my ears they are very strong yet. They run very cool at 105F on the top. About 1000 hrs ago I did a direct compare with a new pair of RK PX25. I couldn’t hear a difference.

My RK 5u4g rectifier likewise was my workhorse for 3.5 years, acquired at the same time as the RK PX25. I replaced it with another new RK 5u4g after over 5000 hrs. Back to back there was just a subtle softening of the sound with the older tube. Usable but down a little. These tubes run about 155F on top. Much hotter.

I’ve never lost a tube to failure in my GG, GG2, or Pacific.

So it‘s a quick answer devoid of perfection, comparative, and anecdotal, but suitable for the intended purpose I believe.

How will the Horizon perform? IDK but I suppose the designer has an idea based on theory and experience. Give the manual a read.

Excellent post, Tuckia, thank you!
I also never had a tube failure in my several Lampi DACs

 

[dminches]

John

if you have read this thread I am not a tube roller I used the tubes that came with the Horizon, I used a set of tubes that Lukas early announced were his favorite. I then made two purchases based on a Lukasz recommendation and another by Golum. Since then I have no desires to roll. I’m sure there are better but this tube set lights up my ears and yes in the Horizon manual Lukasz strongly encourages the Horizon be left on and one should get 10000 hours of tube life

John. There is no need to tube roll but I think it’s always good idea to have a back up set of tubes. If they are rare now they won’t cist less later and yiu might not even find them

There is no "need" to tube roll but it is like any other system change. If you try different tubes one may find something that they like more. Said another way, I would try different combinations of tubes before I would try different cables or other tweaks.

We all have our tolerance for tube rolling. You found a nice combination, different than the stock tubes, early on. I have tried 4 different power tubes, 6 different signal tubes a 2 different rectifiers. One of these days I will settle on a set.

 

[rau]

I

There is no "need" to tube roll but it is like any other system change. If you try different tubes one may find something that they like more. Said another way, I would try different combinations of tubes before I would try different cables or other tweaks.

We all have our tolerance for tube rolling. You found a nice combination, different than the stock tubes, early on. I have tried 4 different power tubes, 6 different signal tubes a 2 different rectifiers. One of these days I will settle on a set.

Will you settle before or after you need all new tube sockets

 

[dminches]

I

Will you settle before or after you need all new tube sockets

Long before. I don't change tubes a lot since I let them play for days. I am also very gentle with them...