I hope you ordered the "square" RK (Riccardo Kron) 5u4g Version because it sounds quite a lot better than the regular Lampi KR 5u4g recti
Lampizator Gain Problem
- Thread starter Agent86
- Start date
Didn't see a "square" one, but I ordered this one. Seems to be differentiated from the regular Lampi version.I hope you ordered the "square" RK (Riccardo Kron) 5u4g Version because it sounds quite a lot better than the regular Lampi KR 5u4g recti
BUY ONLINE KR AUDIO 5U4G RK LIMITED SERIES BEST300B.COM
I tried it out, but actually prefer the EML tube much more. To my ears at least, the RK tube was bright and fatiguing (I'm very sensitive to that) while the EML was more relaxed and smooth. But with different mix of cables and components, the RK tube might work so I'll certainly try it out again in the future.
I ran it in for about 100 hours before listening to it. From what I understand, rectifier tubes don't need much burn in. My final configuration is the EML rectifier, then the PSvane blue globe, and finally NOS Amperex Bugle Boys, which give a nice sense of air and separation.Strange, I hear it exactly the other way around
How many hours are on the RK 5u4g?
100 hours should be much more than enough.
I'm very sorry that you don't like the RK 5u4g you bought on my recommendation
@Bobofei86 also disliked his first RK 5u4g only to find out that his specimen might have been faulty after comparing his to a friends RK 5u4g
Who knows, in a slightly different context the tube might fit in perfectly. I'm going to hold onto it, because I'm sure it'll get swapped back into my chain at some point.100 hours should be much more than enough.
I'm very sorry that you don't like the RK 5u4g you bought on my recommendation
@Bobofei86 also disliked his first RK 5u4g only to find out that his specimen might have been faulty after comparing his to a friends RK 5u4g
Yes and always depends on the synergy with other gears, highly recommend you to try the SuperTNT 274b which i burn in for almost 100 hours already, not that aggressive as the RK or Gz480 and offer a very smooth presentation with lots of details, it's much better than ACME 274b and give a very good vinyl feeeling, most importantly, it's much cheaper than others which cost around 120 bucks only
I know this one is rare and diffcult to buy in Europe or States, please let me know if you want to try and i can find a spare for you
I hadn't really thought about the 274b as an option, but that makes sense. I see there's a dedicated chain to the SuperTNT, so I may check it out. Thanks!Yes and always depends on the synergy with other gears, highly recommend you to try the SuperTNT 274b which i burn in for almost 100 hours already, not that aggressive as the RK or Gz480 and offer a very smooth presentation with lots of details, it's much better than ACME 274b and give a very good vinyl feeeling, most importantly, it's much cheaper than others which cost around 120 bucks only
I know this one is rare and diffcult to buy in Europe or States, please let me know if you want to try and i can find a spare for you
Steve williams
Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
Damping rings for the tube synergy issue, correct? Not for the gain problem, right?
Steve williams
Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
Hi you just need to swap the output tubes. The PX25 are high gain and sometimes cause that distortion. The PX4 or 300bs will work, but I personally would prefer the Lampi 45s, or the EML globe anniversary 45 (which you will need to buy in the used market).
Once you get that working, try the KR or RK 242 to see if it works, but that in your system might distort too
Just wanted to jump in and say I have been having this same gain issue between my Baltic 3 dac and Hegel amp. High gain can sound so spectacular right there in the room with you on some recordings (have downloaded Carmen Gomes Ray or the David Chesky Audiophile sampler for example) but can be also unlistenable on a lot of recordings - female jazz, solo guitar, piano with gain distortion.
They are okay with lower gain setting - just less of that high gain magic. Have tried a tube preamp in the mix (Don Sachs) and cures issue but like low gain less of the great dynamics and live they are in my room sound.
Have rolled tubes and while I like overall new tubes - gain issue is still present.
Have purchased a new to me but old Almarro SET amp - thinking it might solve gain issue. Will be interesting where it sits on dynamics vs distortion scale. Part of issue might be my speakers (Zu Soul Supreme) that are hyper dynamics live sound. The Almarro should be here this week.
Any new ideas about this issue out there - has Lukasz ever commented on this issue.
They are okay with lower gain setting - just less of that high gain magic. Have tried a tube preamp in the mix (Don Sachs) and cures issue but like low gain less of the great dynamics and live they are in my room sound.
Have rolled tubes and while I like overall new tubes - gain issue is still present.
Have purchased a new to me but old Almarro SET amp - thinking it might solve gain issue. Will be interesting where it sits on dynamics vs distortion scale. Part of issue might be my speakers (Zu Soul Supreme) that are hyper dynamics live sound. The Almarro should be here this week.
Any new ideas about this issue out there - has Lukasz ever commented on this issue.
No - I have a Lumin player and have volume control turned off. Will experiment tomorrow - good suggestion!
I find that I have to run the Baltic 3 at about -20 and then adjust the volume on my pre amp for it to sound right. I tried bypassing the DAC but had no success this way. I don’t have a low/high gain setting on my B3 as my model has volume control to be able to use it direct to amp
In the Baltic 3 manual, I came across the following section that explains the gain problem. I understand the hi-low gain settings as the workaround, but I gather that Lukasz is more generally recommending a passive preamp volume control in place of a chipset--is that correct? Also note the second paragraph on opamps. I know my Pass Labs Int-60 has a chip volume control, but I'm wondering if I also have a case of the dreaded opamps? Does anyone know if the newer Pass preamps have a different volume control design?
"Generally - we prefer the sound of the DAC with high output levels, and most amps don’t have any problem with that. A simple potentiometer or stepped attenuator takes care of that. Only solid state chip based preamps will saturate and distort thats why we need to know in advance about such solid state chip volume system being driven by the DAC. We will keep then the volume level at the 'book' level of 2 V pp.(Lo-gain switch position) Having said that - chip volume systems and preamps with opamps belong in home theatre (cheap one) and DEFINITELY not in high end.
LampizatOr DAC should not be used with opamp based preamp, no matter how good. Because the op-amp feedback loops will remove the whole joy of music as delivered by the tubed DAC."
"Generally - we prefer the sound of the DAC with high output levels, and most amps don’t have any problem with that. A simple potentiometer or stepped attenuator takes care of that. Only solid state chip based preamps will saturate and distort thats why we need to know in advance about such solid state chip volume system being driven by the DAC. We will keep then the volume level at the 'book' level of 2 V pp.(Lo-gain switch position) Having said that - chip volume systems and preamps with opamps belong in home theatre (cheap one) and DEFINITELY not in high end.
LampizatOr DAC should not be used with opamp based preamp, no matter how good. Because the op-amp feedback loops will remove the whole joy of music as delivered by the tubed DAC."