Nice. I like Greg Weaver's reviews. I bought multiple sets of Von Schweikert speakers partly based on his reviews and seemingly similar sonic preferences. A more comprehensive head-to-head listening test vs. his Mola Mola Tambaqui would have been excellent for this review, however...
The new 2022 engine for the Baltic is #53A. The current engine in the TRP is #198.
I corrected my previous message, both the Baltic and Atlantic engine have been updated in February; i think there was a misunderstand in language. They have different engine and both engine have been updated in February 2022
Yes, I would assume there was a misunderstanding due to language and because both engines have been updated in February 2022. So yes, both the Baltic and Atlantic are using new engines, but different.
positive-feedback.com
I'm using my Golden Atlantic TRP with a preamp. I had a multi-box Pass Labs XP-22 and a few nice tube preamps (ARC, Rogue, Sachs) over the past few years, although to my surprise settled on a Benchmark LA4 preamp. As best I can tell, the LA4 is the most transparent of the group which lets the TRP and any tube changes dramatically shine through to my ears and in my systems.
Interesting report and discussion. Regarding your GA TRP connection to your preamp(s), though: Pass allows at least two options: unity gain - a sort of "bypass," where the TRP exclusively uses its own volume control; or, a balanced or se choice in another input, where the preamp volume (and gain options) is used in conjunction with the TRP volume control (in this setup, Lukasz recommends the volume at max/0db - interestingly enough). Thus, there are three or four options - each producing a difference in SQ. I don't know what the LA4 provides for in the way of options (so not sure what you chose to use in your comparison). At present, I'm experimenting with my TRP direct to Pass amplifier - after having briefly sampled the TRP through Pass pre at unity gain/-24db, with the DAC VC exclusively. What is unknown (or left unexplained by Lampi manuals), is whether voltage increases as volume increases, and/or what that relationship is. One may surmise that a primary reason for Lampi to offer the VC (as they state) is to address the need for variable voltage (rather than the set, higher voltage at or near 3V). I'd better get ahead of the potential for this last part of my reply to evolve (devolve?) into a thread of its own. And while the subject of the architecture involved in Lampi's volume control and use of it depending on connnections/inputs, etc., probably deserves a thread of its own, that's not my intention here
My TRP is sans volume control. I had a prior model lampi with volume and found the lowest volume setting too loud for late-night listening and ultimately preferred an external preamp for sonic reasons as well in my system. I presume the newer volume control works better and would like to hear one in the TRP (I heard the Horizon dac last weekend with its nice volume control, although not so relevant to the TRP volume control). I use Pass Labs XA100.8 amps or various tube monoblocs and fairly efficient (if current hungry) big Von Schweiker speakers, which influence the preamp requirements as well for me in the system, FWIW.Interesting report and discussion. Regarding your GA TRP connection to your preamp(s), though: Pass allows at least two options: unity gain - a sort of "bypass," where the TRP exclusively uses its own volume control; or, a balanced or se choice in another input, where the preamp volume (and gain options) is used in conjunction with the TRP volume control (in this setup, Lukasz recommends the volume at max/0db - interestingly enough). Thus, there are three or four options - each producing a difference in SQ. I don't know what the LA4 provides for in the way of options (so not sure what you chose to use in your comparison). At present, I'm experimenting with my TRP direct to Pass amplifier - after having briefly sampled the TRP through Pass pre at unity gain/-24db, with the DAC VC exclusively. What is unknown (or left unexplained by Lampi manuals), is whether voltage increases as volume increases, and/or what that relationship is. One may surmise that a primary reason for Lampi to offer the VC (as they state) is to address the need for variable voltage (rather than the set, higher voltage at or near 3V). I'd better get ahead of the potential for this last part of my reply to evolve (devolve?) into a thread of its own. And while the subject of the architecture involved in Lampi's volume control and use of it depending on connnections/inputs, etc., probably deserves a thread of its own, that's not my intention here
I picked up a set of Siemens F2a tubes and have to agree that they are superior tubes in the TRP. By a non-trivial amount vs any other output tubes I've had, they offer the greatest soundstage size, particularly depth, without pushing the whole stage back as some tubes and gear do to my dismay. They are also incredibly detailed, offering hair-on-back-of-the-neck-raising ambiance and spatial cues that up the realism to a highly enjoyable degree. They are more detailed and offer faster and fuller bass over the Sophia tubes, although without the pleasing midrange warmth of the Sophia's. I need to swap a few more rectifiers here to get a more complete grasp on their performance, although am delighted with their performance with the CV181 that I installed during burn-in. More to come with additional listening.
audionervosa - I like the name.I picked up a set of Siemens F2a tubes and have to agree that they are superior tubes in the TRP. By a non-trivial amount vs any other output tubes I've had, they offer the greatest soundstage size, particularly depth, without pushing the whole stage back as some tubes and gear do to my dismay. They are also incredibly detailed, offering hair-on-back-of-the-neck-raising ambiance and spatial cues that up the realism to a highly enjoyable degree. They are more detailed and offer faster and fuller bass over the Sophia tubes, although without the pleasing midrange warmth of the Sophia's. I need to swap a few more rectifiers here to get a more complete grasp on their performance, although am delighted with their performance with the CV181 that I installed during burn-in. More to come with additional listening.
I also just got in-house a pair of Tesla EL50's and Mullard EL50's to compare to my Tesla EL51's, Sophia EL34's, F2a's, and a few other outputs tubes in my current collection. An initial listen over the past week tells me that the Tesla EL50's are also very special, being (anthropomorphically) a better-behaved EL51 with a tremendous, rich, dense midrange, powerful and more controlled bass, and sparkling highs, just lacking a touch of the soundstage depth of the F2a and maybe extra mid-bass in comparison, and not quite as startlingly dynamic as the EL51s nor detailed as the F2a's, although a close second place relative to any other tubes I have here, and extremely well balanced overall. The Mullards still need burn-in, so nothing here yet.
This is such a great DAC in that it keeps us from having to continually swap $xx,xxx gear to seasonally tweak the system sound (and treat the audionervosa disease
Since Fabio discovered the Teslas el51 I dug deeper in the rabbit hole to find something better. After some trial and error with the Teslas el50, 6n3c-E, Tung-Sol 5881 (USA + Russia), etc. I checked some data sheets from high performance pentodes which are used from amp builders and asked Yoda which I can use in TRP. The first ones we tried where the Telefunkens el156. They’re good but the Teslas el51 sound better and more emotional. When I found my first affordable used pair of f2a’s in Jan 21 the rave about the Sophias started (nice toobs too). Stupidly one tube had microphonic issues. It’s usable but from time to time it produces noise which you don’t want to hear from your speakers. That’s why I bought some other brandnew pairs (my stash of f2a’s lasts for a lifetime now). I kept my mouth shut about the f2a’s because prices are rising fast on the market as soon as such discoveries are posted on wbf. Would say the cat‘s out of the bag meanwhile and the rave‘s on…
Yes, indeed! Also sounding sublime with the Sophia 274b and GZ480 recti. A Marconi U50/80 recti is up next in the rotation.
