Lampizator Golden Gate 2 DAC upgrade?

[V-Fi]

I'm extremely happy with my current system, which is an Auralic Aries G2.2 streamer, Lampizator Golden Gate 2 DAC, Primaluna EVO 300 hybrid integrated, and Dynaudio Confidence 20 speakers. I'm using mostly Veritas Audio cables - their Argentum R RCA, Audax USB, and Aeris power cables, along with Audio Sensibility Signature V2 speaker cables and Shunyata Delta Ethernet (might swap the last parts out for Veritas models soon). I've been running a Bryston BIT-15 but also have a Puritan PSM156 that I am currently trying out, to see if I like it better.

I have been kicking around the idea of upgrading my Golden Gate 2 at some point in the near or far future. But really not sure what direction to go. I really love the sound that it delivers, especially after fine tuning the tube selection. But I can't help but think I could maybe do better. Not sure if that involves a newer Lampi model or something from another brand.

There are many great choices out there but what would folks suggest for keeping a similar sound, just getting more out of it? Or am I barking up the wrong tree and maybe I should look at other components first before changing DACs?

 

[Tuckia]

I had a GG1, GG2 (r2r), GG2 (delta-sigma), Pacific, and Horizon. Seeing what you have, upgrading to a GG3, Pacific, Pacific 2, or even Poseidon would be worthwhile. If you like the Lampi sound, like I do, I only know of one place to get it. Going up from GG2 the resolution improves a bit. There are improvements at every level up. Buy what you can afford. i found my Pacific with DHT tubes to be a good compliment with tube amplification downstream. Others with certain SS amplification thought the Pacific a little dry. I never heard a dry Pacific until I dropped 242 tubes in. PX25 was my sweet spot.

 

[Holli82]

I'm extremely happy with my current system,

Stop! You are in a good place. There is always something bigger, "better" and more expensive. GG 2 is a great DAC.

 

[V-Fi]

Stop! You are in a good place. There is always something bigger, "better" and more expensive. GG 2 is a great DAC.

Thanks, maybe the words of wisdom I need right now. Or at least my bank account does!

I really do love my Lampi though. I guess the thing that makes me wonder is the fact that they have so many newer and "higher" models now. But you're right, it really is a fantastic DAC and I should stick with it.

I've had multiple people tell me that my Primaluna EVO 300 is the weak link in my system. Apparently that brand is not as well respected? I don't go by internet prestige but instead try things and see what sounds best to my ears. And in my own system, after demoing many great contenders, the EVO 300 was by far the best match for me.

In any case I will continue messing with my Bryston power conditioner vs the Puritan I am trying out, and maybe tweak the cables to go with Veritas throughout, but that's about it for now. Thanks for talking me off the ledge.

 

[Lowlands]

But then...... this hobby can also be about being 'on route' and enjoying a changing landscape. No matter how spectacular the view from a certain mountain-top, a tropical beach on the other day has it's own virtues....

Depending on how well they match with your Primaluna and the size of your space & listening triangle, you might take your C20 to different (and potentially higher) grounds with different amplification. I know from experience that Octave (v110 or separates) is a good match for Dyns. Octave also comes by on the used market... See if you can audition one..
When messing around with power conditioning, mind to choose something that is flexible towards any future changes in your chain... different brands & types tend to respond very differently to powerconditioning & -cords... I will be picking up a Super Athena tomorrow to do a bit of tinkering myself.

 

[V-Fi]

I had been interested in Octave but at the time I was not able to acquire their gear to demo in my system. Might have to rethink that. I actually don't need to go with an integrated, I'm just used to it from long ago when space was limited. At this point I could totally do separates. And that may be the path forward but I'm going to wait until later this year and see how things shake out.

So far I am torn about the power conditioners. The Bryston BIT 15 seems to give more solidity, while the PSM156 seems a little more open and revealing. I like both presentations in their own ways, and it depends on the music as far as which I prefer at any given time. I'll keep trying them and see if one takes the lead or what.

I am almost certainly swapping out my Shunyata Ethernet cable for a Veritas Audio Connexa very soon. And in a few months I'll likely swap my Audio Sensibility speaker cables for the top model from Veritas as well. No other cables I've tried seem to fit my preferences quite so well, and the pricing seems unbelievably low compared to a lot of other stuff I've encountered.

Also kicking around the idea of trying out a sub. I'm not typically a fan of the 2.1 style setup but when using a great sub and dialing it in really well, I do like what I hear on some music. When the sub never calls attention to itself but just expands the capabilities of the monitors seamlessly, that's a success.

 

[Lowlands]

Somewhat room & space dependent, but I mated my C20's with stereo REL G2's (so 2 of them) to great effect. Feed them using speaker terminals (high level input). Impact is "different league" (also, far greater than any DAC upgrade from where you are now). If you have the space: a no-brainer. Everything gets better. If I remember I crossed them over around 27 ~ 30 Hertz in my room (that is not a brick-wall filter though).

In my modest opinion a 2.2 setup, if blended well with mains, is always preferable to the 2.0, because most speakers optimum location for bass and imaging are not identical anyway. Higher-end REL models integrate very well, are fast & remote enabled (operate & integrate from your chair). But there are more very fine options.
As to 2.1 vs 2.2: Low frequency notes are not directional, but percussion is / can be (the kick drum is not under your chair..). So I do prefer dual / stereo subs in the 'proximity' of the speaker. Interference / phase / comb-filtering is not a real issue for these kinds of wavelenghts anyway... Have not heard the six packs yet... My last 3 setups have all been 2.2, two of them with Dynaudio (with C20 and prior to that C1-Sig).
Attached some pics of my setup at that time...
As always: my ears, YMMV.

 

[RikkiPoo]

I bought a used GG1 Balanced with VC and upgraded it to Engine 11, new VC and USB so it’s now a Balanced GG3 with VC. It was a much larger change than I expected. I strongly recommend it. The DHT sound is still there but improved in many ways. I am using the BNC output, I did not like the USB before the upgrade and that did not change after.