LampizatOr Golden Atlantic + TRP

[DeadWax]

if you wonder how I know lol. Been there did that. and I’m not ashamed to admit it lol.

Ok, so I actually quickly traced the sound back to the Lampi DAC. While the high pitch whine was occurring I shut down the Lampi and the sound stopped instantly. I was right next to the speaker. So now I'm wondering if the Lampi is picking up EMI or RFI from a nearby component on the rack or through the cabling which is single ended (I own the SE version of the Atlantic TRP). I wonder if it would help to try to relocate the Lampi? Thoughts are welcome.

Update 5 minutes later: I have tried replacing the pretty cheap Nordost Blue Heaven power cord that I was using with the Lampi with an extra AQ Thunder I had on-hand (with the ground noise dissipation and dielectric bias system) to see if that helps with possible RFI. So far the high pitched whine is gone but I need to give it an hour or so to be certain. Would that be crazy if a PC that's more resistance to RFI fixed this??

 

[highstream]

Before moving anything, I would check if it's the tube. I'm assuming here it is still relatively new. One quick test would be to put the stock tube back in, mute the sound and let it be for a good awhile and then come back and check.

 

[Alrainbow]

Not crazy but doubtful. The trick is to leave the Lampi on
keep the volume low just enough to hear the noise. be carful not to cause loud noises into you speakers

 

[DeadWax]

@highstream It hasn't made a difference as I've swapped out 3 different sets of tubes including the originals.

@Alrainbow It's now been about 75 minutes and although it seems the sound came back slightly after 20 minutes it is much more subdued. I can only hear it with my ear next to the speaker.

The change to my system has been my LM805ia amp which I received 2 weeks ago. I run it using the "pre -in" inputs connected to my VAC linestage. The Lampi is connected to the VAC. I may try to swap the IC's I'm using between the Lampi and VAC with ones that are better shielded to see if that helps. It's clear that when I use the "pre in" compared to the other line inputs on the LM amp that the gain instantly gets bumped up...presumably by the 10dB that the VAC produces. I have determined through unplugging various other components that it's not the phono stage or Kuzma motor speed controller that's creating the issue. The only other component that could be causing environmental noise nearby would be my Niagara conditioner. I tried moving it away by a couple of feet and it didn't seem to matter.

 

[Alrainbow]

Try this does the noise happen if you remove the recti ?
is the noise on both speakers the same ?
place your hands on the output tubes while touching a screw on the dac. our hands make a small shield of sorts better if we are grounded.

 

[Alrainbow]

@highstream It hasn't made a difference as I've swapped out 3 different sets of tubes including the originals.

@Alrainbow It's now been about 75 minutes and although it seems the sound came back slightly after 20 minutes it is much more subdued. I can only hear it with my ear next to the speaker.

The change to my system has been my LM805ia amp which I received 2 weeks ago. I run it using the "pre -in" inputs connected to my VAC linestage. The Lampi is connected to the VAC. I may try to swap the IC's I'm using between the Lampi and VAC with ones that are better shielded to see if that helps. It's clear that when I use the "pre in" compared to the other line inputs on the LM amp that the gain instantly gets bumped up...presumably by the 10dB that the VAC produces. I have determined through unplugging various other components that it's not the phono stage or Kuzma motor speed controller that's creating the issue. The only other component that could be causing environmental noise nearby would be my Niagara conditioner. I tried moving it away by a couple of feet and it didn't seem to matter.

Left side of dac is more sensitive then the right.
next nothing above or below even 4 feet is not good. We all love stacking stuff it’s a really bad idea unless it’s made to do so like msb or pass labs

 

[DeadWax]

So I spent the last 2 hrs troubleshooting and I figured out the issue - mostly. I was able to narrow down the high frequency sound to only when my Lumin U1 started streaming - so of course I thought it was EMI from the external PSU or Lumin itself. Nope - it didn't matter where I placed either or where I plugged them in.

The only thing remaining I could think of trying was removing my Sablon 2020 USB cable connecting the Lumin with the Lampi and alternatively using an AES connection between the two. Presto - high pitched whine eradicated, and oddly overall sonics materially improved.

So this leaves me in a quandary - what's wrong with the USB connection/module? It couldn't possibly be the cable that I just got from @Sablon Audio a month ago - plus it didn't used to have this problem when I first started using the USB. (I don't have any other USB cables to try). I will obviously reach out to @LampiNA and see what they think. In the meantime, any other Lampizator owners have any ideas about what the issue may be with the USB causing a high-pitched whine? It didn't matter if had the ring button depressed or not.

 

[Alrainbow]

Relax there many here and it will be remedied. I’m tired now to go through now.
if ok please post pics of the equipment and it’s positions.
if you can make a simple One line drawing. I doubt it’s a power thing but lets go through steps and stay on course. This means we don’t bounce around
if ok. You do pics and a sketch and I’ll with the help of others will make step by step plane. I’m willing to bet a couple of hours of back and forth here Your fixed. And we all learn here for the better.

 

[Alrainbow]

As a side note under no circumstances will I allow comment in a bad light anyone’s equipment period. audio is very complex and things go crazy it’s all part of it.

 

[Alrainbow]

So I spent the last 2 hrs troubleshooting and I figured out the issue - mostly. I was able to narrow down the high frequency sound to only when my Lumin U1 started streaming - so of course I thought it was EMI from the external PSU or Lumin itself. Nope - it didn't matter where I placed either or where I plugged them in.

The only thing remaining I could think of trying was removing my Sablon 2020 USB cable connecting the Lumin with the Lampi and alternatively using an AES connection between the two. Presto - high pitched whine eradicated, and oddly overall sonics materially improved.

So this leaves me in a quandary - what's wrong with the USB connection/module? It couldn't possibly be the cable that I just got from @Sablon Audio a month ago - plus it didn't used to have this problem when I first started using the USB. (I don't have any other USB cables to try). I will obviously reach out to @LampiNA and see what they think. In the meantime, any other Lampizator owners have any ideas about what the issue may be with the USB causing a high-pitched whine? It didn't matter if had the ring button depressed or not.

Try a simple simple usb printer cable .
try a usb power cutter adaptor.
then we go onto as discussed.

 

[DeadWax]

As a side note under no circumstances will I allow comment in a bad light anyone’s equipment period. audio is very complex and things go crazy it’s all part of it.

I have zero agenda of making any disparaging comments on anyone's equipment - just looking for a solution. It seems I've narrowed the issue down pretty tightly to the USB functionality. I will post a couple of photos of my pretty basic set up.

Thanks for the supporting conversation!

Edit: Just saw your note. I don't think I have any other USB cables on hand so I'd have to go get one even for diagnostic purposes.

 

[Alrainbow]

Did you try a stock printer usb cable ? if not it’s the first thing to do. most audio grade usb cables are not to spec nor shielded correctly. While they have true sonic positive attributes they also can create havoc too.

 

[DeadWax]

So my gear sits on two stands separated by a couple of feet. On the left side I have my LM805ia amp and Lumin U1.

Off to the right I have a rack with the Lampi and VAC preamp. The Luxman EQ-500 also is input to the VAC. My TT sits above. The only thing out of the ordinary is that my USB cable is unusually long at 2m to cover the distance from Lumin to Lampi.

 

[Alrainbow]

try stock usb
take the dac and place it on the floor in front of the rack. Doing so greatly Lowers Emi and rfi as Well. Just as test ok. If it solves it place the dac aside of the streamer.

 

[DeadWax]

Did you try a stock printer usb cable ?

I don't have one onhand. My printer is wireless.

 

[Alrainbow]

Anyting tubes is bad to stack yet we all do it including me lol

 

[Alrainbow]

I don't have one onhand. My printer is wireless.

Ok now Your being difficult lol.

 

[highstream]

DW, When you said it requires ear to speaker to hear the noise, is it still an unusual noise? I ask to make sure, because there’s nothing unusual or untoward about a little light hiss.

 

[DeadWax]

DW, When you said it requires ear to speaker to hear the noise, is it still an unusual noise? I ask to make sure, because there’s nothing unusual or untoward about a little light hiss.

Turns out that was just temporary and the full-on whine returned. It's more than tube hiss. It's like a mosquito in your ear...like an ultrasonic noise that you can hear over your music. It's completely gone once I switched from USB to AES. I will get a cheap USB cable tomorrow to see if it performs differently than the one that I have as a diagnostic test.

 

[DeadWax]

Anyting tubes is bad to stack yet we all do it including me lol

Yeah, I'd place the Lampi next to the Lumin but then I have a long run back to the preamp. I could slide some gear around on my BDI credenza but I'd still need a 1.5m SE cable to connect to the preamp.