Lampizator announcement: launch of our all new TOTL HORIZON DAC

[wisnon]

I agree with everything you said. I haven’t bought 1 tube and won’t until I have the unit burned in with the stock tubes. Having said that, I have tons of tubes that can be used so I am pretty stocked already.

THAT is why U and Marty are feeling so cool. U both already have a primo stash of the top tubes. In that position, one does not need to stress.

 

[wisnon]

Never hurts to have a variety of tubes

Paraphrasing Golfinger of 007 fame.

Mr Bond, my passion is TUBES and I welcome any endeavor to increase my stock.

 

[Steve williams]

Flawless Vulcan logic, Steve. Live long and prosper.

Long too may you live and prosper wookie Chewbakka

 

[highstream]

I think we clarified by PM that the Melz 1578 does not need adapters.

BTW, two other 6SN7's that enjoy "holy grail" status are the Tung-sol 6SN7GT black plates (>$500 pair if you can find a NOS matched pair) and the RCA red base JAN 5962 (~300/pair- easier to find). (The 5692 is the ruggedized, low microphonics, low noise, high reliability, long-life version of the 6SN7GT). Some say it's the best sounding 6SN7, but again, the way these tubes are used in the Horizon, who the hell knows? Should be fun to play with.

You tried the Treasure Globes from Rachel in Canada? https://premiumvacuumtubes.com/product/treasure-globe-6sn7-se-pair-gf-limited-special-edition/ I've never tried the Tung-Sol, but I've gone through a lot of 6SN7's and 6F8G's and found the TG's easily outdistance my previous favorite, the early 1940s Sylvania 6F8G. I also preferred the latter over a pair of pin-resoldered Melz 1578. In a Supratek preamp, the Melz was transparent but a bit laid back and on the cool side -- though not quite as much as a KR RK 5U4G, for reference. Of course, your tastes and YMMV in a Lampi.

 

[marty]

Same company. Same tubes. Yours are $100 less than what I paid on eBay however mine came directly from the manufacturer.

I don't think Steve bought his tubes directly from the manufacturer. He bought them on line at ebay from a tube retailer called vivatubes.com. They are a real brick and mortar shop located in Easthampton, MA and are very responsive to inquiries. I almost bought them on ebay also but when I went to vivatubes.com directly I saw they were $100 less! I spoke to them and asked them why I couldn't buy from them on line at ebay at the lower price and the answer was obvious. They have to pay ebay a fee so if you buy directly from them, you benefit from the cheaper price.

As far as rau's company "vacuumtubevalves.com", this is a different company than vivatubes.com. Vacuum tube valves has no known address that I can find and is totally virtual. I will not buy from a company that will not list their address because I have no idea where to throw tomatoes if something goes wrong.

All the Tung-Sol KT-170's appear to be sourced, graded and matched from the manufacturer so where you buy them doesn't make a difference, except for price.

 

[marty]

You tried the Treasure Globes from Rachel in Canada? https://premiumvacuumtubes.com/product/treasure-globe-6sn7-se-pair-gf-limited-special-edition/ I've never tried the Tung-Sol, but I've gone through a lot of 6SN7's and 6F8G's and found the TG's easily outdistance my previous favorite, the early 1940s Sylvania 6F8G. I also preferred the latter over a pair of pin-resoldered Melz 1578. In a Supratek preamp, the Melz was transparent but a bit laid back and on the cool side -- though not quite as much as a KR RK 5U4G, for reference. Of course, your tastes and YMMV in a Lampi.

I'm aware of those Shuguang tubes offered through Grant Fidelity in Canada, however I know nothing about them or how they differ from the more common Shuguang Treasure CV-181-z/ 6SN7 (at half the price). There are several reports comparing both (they both receive high marks) but this may have little bearing on what they sound like in the Horizon, again, because these outputs are used in an atypical design. So at this point, I think its best to wait on the sidelines until the first rounders sort this out a bit.

If you have 2 tube varieties for each of the tubes (recti, pentodes and outputs) that gives you 2x2x2=8 possible combinations. You can see that adding a 3rd tube of each kind now allows for 16 possible combinations. Ah, the joy and agony of tube rolling. Sounds like a project to start when you're 40 so you can figure out the magic combo by the time you're 60! I'm hoping that Steve and Lukasz will figure a lot out at their Horizon fest next month because I'm counting on them saving me about 10 years worth of work!

 

[dminches]

I did receive in the mail today a pair of 5687 to 6SN7 adapters which will allow me to try a bunch of different tubes in the Horizon.

 

[wisnon]

Mind U, rolling is not work per se, if don'e appropriately. No, I dont mean an efficient system or anything. I mean U can quickly get to your preferred combo on your own, but when U hold an audio summit with pals, one fun activity is to roll the tubes and evaluate the impact. Golum and I did that once with a NOTABLE SS manufacturer in CH and it dawned on him finally what the allure of rolling was. He realized its an ultimate SOCIAL activity among audiophiles and makes for a fascinating soiree. SS guys by comparison can only roll USB/digital cable. Tube rolling is a fun activity that can soak up the hours at a lively audio fest. Recall that your buddies may have similar gear but never heard the tube combo from your stash, though they may have read about them here. Nothing like hearing it for yourself and making your own determination.

 

[Steve williams]

I don't think Steve bought his tubes directly from the manufacturer. He bought them on line at ebay from a tube retailer called vivatubes.com. They are a real brick and mortar shop located in Easthampton, MA and are very responsive to inquiries. I almost bought them on ebay also but when I went to vivatubes.com directly I saw they were $100 less! I spoke to them and asked them why I couldn't buy from them on line at ebay at the lower price and the answer was obvious. They have to pay ebay a fee so if you buy directly from them, you benefit from the cheaper price.

I contacted them and they responded immediately to my enquiry. Their reply was exactly as you stated. I too prefer to know where the company I am buying from is located. So it was an extra $!00 for the tubes but I'm OK with it

The trick is getting the 6900 however if you search you can find them but they aren't inexpensive . A recent USED pair on eBay was $1500

From what I am told there were only 3000 of these tubes ever made

 

[Steve williams]

I did receive in the mail today a pair of 5687 to 6SN7 adapters which will allow me to try a bunch of different tubes in the Horizon.

It was my understanding that Lukasz has adapters for all tube types

 

[Steve williams]

Some updates to those attending the global Horizon debut at my house Feb 12 and Feb 13. I am fairly certain that I have reached out to all those who have indicated their desires to attend. I have put all names of those attending at the guard gate to my community . I also gave directions to my house as well as hotelmrecommendations for those coming fro out of town and there are many coming from out of the area and some from out of state. If I missed your name and did not reach out to you OR if there are others who are wanting to attend please contact me via PM.Openings are available although it is getting filled. Many have indicated that they want to attend Bothe days

As a further update I have asked Ron to use his skills to videotape the event plus I have also asked Ron to film interviews with Lukasz as well as Fred so that we can put the video up on our Video channel for all to watch

Finally we are attempting to get some press reviewers to attend so stay tuned

 

[Steve williams]

If you remember the tube complement I have on hand for the Horizon is
Matched set of 6900's with adapters
Quad matched set of Tung-Sol KT170
Either RK-KR 5u4g Anniversary Edition or Shuguang gz480

I just spoke to Lukasz and he told me the tube complement he is sending me is

Soviet Metalbase MELZ x 2
Matched quad set of KR KT88
Emission Labs 5u4g Mesh

I am also told that Lukasz will be bringing some of his private stash of tubes to compare

I also asked Lukasz about KR KT 88 vs Tng-Sol KY170. Here is his reply which I highly value

Lukasz feels the two tuvbes are about equal BUT the KR KT88 has nicer voices. Lukasz states that KR is the king of clear transparency and that there is better vacuum than any of the Chinese or Russian equivalents as the KR is made on fast machines (whatever that means)

So in summary there sees to be a wide array of tubes that will be in rotation that weekend

For those attending and have tubes they plan on using, pease feel free to bring them with you so we can all listen

 

[wisnon]

DANG STEVE, you are set!

 

[dminches]

I plan to go with a quad of GEC KT88s. Those are the best KT88s I have ever heard. I have never heard the KRs though.

 

[Michael Davitt]

Tubes glorious tubes . . . Let's roll another one !

 

[rau]

Just ordered 170's now it's 88's

 

[Steve williams]

i intend on comparing the two.

 

[DasguteOhr]

I plan to go with a quad of GEC KT88s. Those are the best KT88s I have ever heard. I have never heard the KRs though.

Be fast good luck

GEC G.E.C. KT88 quad vintage matched tubes valves | Reverb Deutschland

Late 60's early 70's vintage G.E.C. KT88 matched quadMade in England by G.E.C. General Electric Company Taken out from an old device from the same period that still worked fine. I cannot say how much charge left since I have not any tube tester.NEGOTIABLE PRICE BTW; feel free to place your best ...

reverb.com

 

[rau]

Be fast good luck

GEC G.E.C. KT88 quad vintage matched tubes valves | Reverb Deutschland

Late 60's early 70's vintage G.E.C. KT88 matched quadMade in England by G.E.C. General Electric Company Taken out from an old device from the same period that still worked fine. I cannot say how much charge left since I have not any tube tester.NEGOTIABLE PRICE BTW; feel free to place your best ...

reverb.com

Not tested , I'll keep my money

 

[dminches]

I bought a different quad which was fully tested and matched.

Of course, it was more expensive too!