LampizatOr Baltic 3

Does anyone know if a Bendix 2C50(12SN7) can be used in a Baltic 3? Mine has a switch to allow 12SN7 tubes.

I understand that it has a bit less gain than a regular 12SN7 but is otherwise the same.
 
Someone has that switch for 12SN7 and is using this tube type here...
 
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I just read the Lampi Baltic 3 review in this month's TAS by a writer with whom I was not familiar (Stephen Scharf). What a beautiful review and a fine piece of audio writing. This thing is so inexpensive it begs the question as to why anyone would own any other DAC in that price range (6K) if not considerably higher? Of course since there is a somewhat "novel" use of tubes that is not dissimilar to Lampi's soon to be released SOA assault, it comes as no surprise that the Baltic seems to be the "poor man's" Horizon DAC (which is surely unfair to both pieces even though it makes a point).
Hi Marty, can you please scan and email me that article. I cant find it anywhere online. Thanks!
PS, I agree the B3 is a killer. I LOVE IT when I had one on demo.
 
Anyone happen to know if the Lampi Baltic 3 is what would accurately be described as a "dual-mono" DAC with respect to it's circuit topology? I haven't figured out how to get the cover off mine and there's no schematic.

Thanks, gents.
 
Anyone happen to know if the Lampi Baltic 3 is what would accurately be described as a "dual-mono" DAC with respect to it's circuit topology? I haven't figured out how to get the cover off mine and there's no schematic.

Thanks, gents.
Found this after doing some searching:
'True balanced topology with four monophonic channels - one per each phase of stereo sound."

So, it appears it could be classified as a "dual mono" design.
 
I have the the most recent Bricasti M1 SE

Buying the B3 would be a sideways move or an upgrade? I am into realism and great sounding tones.
 
I have not heard the Bricasti in my system...but I have had DACs from Luxman, dCS, EMM Labs, Aqua, MSB, Metronome and possibly others in my system over the past 5 years. While these were not at the top of their respective lines, neither is the Baltic. I gotta say that the B3 remains the best sounding DAC I've had in my system. Attention to network switches and isolation, tube rolling and simple things like Sims Navcom pucks under the footers gives me sound that leaves me wanting for nothing more. I can't begin to comprehend what the Horizon would bring to the table at multiples of the price. So...the short answer is "I don't know but I'm guessing it will be an upgrade depending on your system and tastes of course."
 
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Nice review. I am unfamiliar with The Audio Analyst. Is he well known or someone who frequents here?
 
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Well I was preaching about B3 for some time now…:D…phenomenal DAC
 
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Well I was preaching about B3 for some time now…:D…phenomenal DAC
Agreed, 100% And for it's price, its a phenomenal value. I had the $40K Linn Klimax DSM/3 in-house for review and while it's excellent, I personally prefer the Baltic 3 to the DAC in the Linn Klimax DSM/3. I find the Baltic 3 to be more musical and more engaging. IMHO, it punches WAY above it's "weight class", so to speak.
 
Agreed, 100% And for it's price, its a phenomenal value. I had the $40K Linn Klimax DSM/3 in-house for review and while it's excellent, I personally prefer the Baltic 3 to the DAC in the Linn Klimax DSM/3. I find the Baltic 3 to be more musical and more engaging. IMHO, it punches WAY above it's "weight class", so to speak.

Indeed. I think Lukasz described it well... "it's happy, joyful, foot tapping crazy good". Upgrade the fuse, add a good power and USB cable, play around with some tubes to find your personal sweet spot and it's going to be a love affair! there will always be "better", depending on what you're looking for, but to me B3 is magical. I felt that Amber 3 had some of these engaging and charming attributes as well, but B3 takes it to another level.
 
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Anybody has experience with the Sophia Electric Aqua 274B B3 ? I bought one couple of days back and it has around 200hrs on it but the sound is very uninteresting, flat, harsh and thin. Did I get a bad one ? Need more time to break-in ?
 
Anybody has experience with the Sophia Electric Aqua 274B B3 ? I bought one couple of days back and it has around 200hrs on it but the sound is very uninteresting, flat, harsh and thin. Did I get a bad one ? Need more time to break-in ?
Friends had them and sold them (used in TRP) from that same reason you wrote but some might like it. My advise would be to stick with the Russian one you got the unit with. Just give it time amd it will reward you…
 
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