Lampizator Baltic 4: Single-Ended or Balanced Output?

[Ron Resnick]

For those of you who have a Lampizator Baltic 3 or Baltic 4, are you using the single-ended or the balanced output?

What differences in sound do you hear between the two outputs?

 

[Ron Resnick]

Lampizator Baltic owners?

 

[NickMimi]

I own and run a B3. My preference has been single ended RCA unless i need a long run beyond 1.5 meters When i need a longer run i always use the balanced XLR. Ultimately I personally do not have a preference between them as far as the SQ goes

 

[VoicesInMyHead]

I use RCA, but I also have upgraded Neutrik RCA connectors on my B3 and using RCA also allows me to use the "High gain" setting which was available on the earlier B3's but later removed for a more modest setting. To my years this sounds better even if it's always difficult to compare at different volume levels.

 

[lordcloud]

Is the Baltic 4 a true balanced design? Or does it just offer balanced outputs for convenience?

 

[msimanyi]

Per Lampizator Poland:

MAIN HIGHLIGHTS

• Every unit is SE and Balanced at the same time, no need to configure the unit as balanced.
• True balanced topology with four channels - one per each phase of stereo sound.
• Our newest 2022 engine 11 also with DSD512 on board as standard
• True Copper output capacitors
• Volume control as an option
• 4 digital inputs: USB, SPDIF, TOSLINK and AES/EBU in every DAC
• New tube topology that redefines what is possible with tubes in the DAC
• Fully tubed, directly heated dual diode rectified, CLC filtered anode power supply.

 

[kilervideo]

Hi Guys. Anyone out the. It is better to buy new Lampizator Baltic 4 with new engine11 or shop for demo/used one? I can buy one Lampizator Big 7SE Mk2 with engine 53 for less or Lampizator THE Golden Gate older model for slightly more than new Baltic.

 

[kwashabc]

I realize that this is a very old topic, but if anyone cares, the positive XLR signal connects directly to the RCA output so essentially the sound should be the same.

 

[Agent86]

I realize that this is a very old topic, but if anyone cares, the positive XLR signal connects directly to the RCA output so essentially the sound should be the same.

Really, I didn't find that to be the case. I just spent the entire weekend comparing XLRs and RCAs on my Baltic 4 and they're incredibly different. Granted, I didn't have the same model of each of my cables in both RCA and XLR terminations, but I used 4-5 cables of each type (and similar quality) and there's no question in my mind that using XLR interconnects with the Lampi adds layering and dimensionality that were not present with the RCA cables. In fact, the RCAs gave the presentation a more subdued but euphonic sound signature and I was considering whether that might be a possible solution to those of who find the Baltic 4 to be too punchy with its 12BH7 tubes. Before this weekend, I had always used balanced outputs from the Lampi to my Zesto preamp and by swapping in RCAs (keeping balanced cables from pre to power amp), it was a completely different experience with the DAC. Ultimately, I found the results with the XLRs too impressive to abandon and will continue to experiment with different brands to see which work best in my system.

 

[kwashabc]

I would suggest checking the input impedances of the device that you are connecting the Baltic 4 to. If the input impedance of the inputs are different then that might account for the differences that you hear. Certainly the balanced output is preferred but the same positive XLR wire connects to the RCA hot.

Please note that my comments only apply to the Baltic 4 without volume control. I am not familiar with the wiring of the VC unit.

 

[Agent86]

The Zesto Leto II has the following input specs:

• 3 sets of true transformer Balanced inputs (pin 2 hot) with an impedance of 10K Ohms.
• 3 sets of Single Ended inputs with an impedance of 100K Ohms.

 

[kwashabc]

It is possible that the differences that you are hearing have more to do with the transformer based XLR input vs the straight RCA input.

 

[Agent86]

Thanks, it was an interesting experience trying out RCA vs XLR on the preamp. I also have a Pass Labs Int-60 sitting in the closet and recall hearing a distinction there as well but may test that out in the coming weeks to confirm.

 

[kwashabc]

Cool! Nelson Pass is the only transistor designer that I trust implicitly. He is the epitome of a KISS designer.