Took a minute to find it, but with regards to the BEST300B it's now irrelevant. I did apparently misremember the fact that it isn't their universal engine going forward.
For what it's worth, this is what I see under the Baltic 3 Highlights on the Lampi Poland website:
Perhaps, 53A is what is used in the Baltic.
Well. I am sure that it's an improvement, but it's certainly somewhat perplexing. When I bought my Yggdrasil Schiit had just upgraded the analog board, but unlike Lampizator, they didn't even let new purchasers know that they had done so, but certainly folks who had purchased just before they quietly shipped the upgrade were perplexed. I don't run such a business, so my opinions are not based on experience in the business. We're all entitled to our opinions, but holding an opinion doesn't make us right. That said, I understand what you mean. I don't know how they are working things. I know that PS Audio allows customers to upgrade their software over the internet. I'm not buying a PS Audio DAC, so obviously such upgrades are not sufficiently critical to me to motivate me to purchase a PS Audio DAC/Streamer.
I have spoken to the folks from AKM in Munich at the show. They still don't know when their refreshed chips are going to be widely available. They were mentioning next year for full availability, but some manufacturers might get theirs earlier.
Hi Ted, I found this;
I think the point is that if a manufacturer is promoting that they are using their latest digital engine from a certain date, then one would expect this is the best they now offer. As a buyer you obviously want to ensure you have the latest, particularly if you have purchased around the time of any change. What difference a #40 v #53A makes I have no idea, but I was told mine had the latest engine available which I believe changed in March - seems to be a comms issue somewhere in the chain…
The thing is, as far as know, they are using one chip which is preprogrammed, and they have attained permission to d/l and modify the program, so the different "engines" are the same programmable chip. I don't recall what they call the chip. I am not a fan of programmable chips, mind you I'm talking about 15 or so years old equipment, but after electrolytic capacitors, IME, proms and e/eeproms are high failure rate parts. I might just look into these and d/l the software in case my chip has an issue, but probably not. At my age the chip will likely outlast me.
I think that I have a pair of those, but I am not certain that I ever tried them. The E-6SN7 tubes sound so good that I haven't swapped tubes in years. Don Sachs has upgraded the preamp over the years and I have kept up with the modifications with the exception of the internal wiring. I have forgotten what wire he is currently using, but I don't believe that they normally sell wire, just ICs, but as Don is a manufacturer...As I'm using VT99/6F8G tubes I was having one of those weak moments where I as usual was staring at those those nice looking Woo Audio adapters and then I accidentally happened to put them into the shopping cart and all of a sudden I hit that checkout button and off they went on a plane and arrived with me yesterday!
They look lovely, build quality feels solid, but I wasn't really expecting that much sound wise to be honest, but it does indeed sound different with these adapters! After all adapters is something that is just in the way, so the more they can stay out of the way the better I guess. Quite expensive adapters though, but...
Yes, exactly. When I went ahead with upgrading my DAC, I didn't ask which engine designation the new one is gonna be. I just assumed it'd be #198 or whatever. The SQ jump from going from Amber 2 to Amber 3 was so great that if t's going to be repeated with Amber 4, I wouldn't really care if it's engine #666 inside...
Yes, exactly. When I went ahead with upgrading my DAC, I didn't ask which engine designation the new one is gonna be. I just assumed it'd be #198 or whatever. The SQ jump from going from Amber 2 to Amber 3 was so great that if t's going to be repeated with Amber 4, I wouldn't really care if it's engine #666 inside...
The difference as it effects the sound would be of interest to me. When a new incarnation comes around I might want more, and the designation would alert me to that. Personally I don't see myself chasing these mods, but the guy who always wants to be on the cutting edge of a particular build might be.
Mark, when using the Tungsram tubes with the Baltic 3, do you have to use the Baltic on the high-gain mode or can you use on low-gain?
