LampizatOr Horizon - Tube Rolling Paradise

[John T]

I also run my 727 preamp to Gyphon Mephisto monoblocks balanced w XLR. But in my case, I have no choice as the Mephistos only have a balanced input, no RCA. I'd like to do the same experiment, but cannot. Also, since this is SS gear, I think the difference, if there is one, may not be as easy to distinguish. But for a 1 m run between the H360 and the 727, it was an easy experiment to do and the results were easy to hear. It's all good if it makes you smile.

We both have the 727, you have the Gryphon Solo's, me the Mephisto, we both have the 360, I also run Balanced to the Mephisto. I tried doing exactly as you suggested, Cardas Clear Beyond XLR, and RCA Both 1 meter. I also have 1 meter Clear Beyond XLR between the 360 and Solution 727. I always prefer Balanced on the H/360. What I didn't do with this exercise in Single Ended is keep the right bank open.

One caveat; You should not have both SE and XLR coming out of the 360 (outputs) at the same time. I thought the same. Apparently they are NOT independent of each other...

 

[Steve williams]

We both have the 727, you have the Gryphon Solo's, me the Mephisto, we both have the 360, I also run Balanced to the Mephisto. I tried doing exactly as you suggested, Cardas Clear Beyond XLR, and RCA Both 1 meter. I also have 1 meter Clear Beyond XLR between the 360 and Solution 727. I always prefer Balanced on the H/360. What I didn't do with this exercise in Single Ended is keep the right bank open.

One caveat; You should not have both SE and XLR coming out of the 360 (outputs) at the same time. I thought the same. Apparently they are NOT independent of each other...

I totally agree. It's never both cables from preamp to amp but either SE or XLR

in my amp manual it says in Bold letters never to have both cables into the amp

you also need to try it with the right bank of tubes removed

 

[John T]

I totally agree. It's never both cables from preamp to amp but either SE or XLR

in my amp manual it says in Bold letters never to have both cables into the amp

you also need to try it with the right bank of tubes removed

Agreed, but I was referring to the 360. Either XLR from the 360 to the preamplifier or Single Ended but never both at the same time. I assumed the changing of the inputs in the pre would mitigate this. This is not the case, the output of the 360 is either XLR or SE but shouldn't be connected at the same time. As I mentioned they are not independent of each other...

 

[rspyder]

Hey Marty (our typical Canadian salutation). Thank you for going above and beyond, in both the steps you took to compare SE vs. Balanced operation of the H360 in your system and to explain in simple and cogent terms why SE puts a bigger smile on your face.

I never considered keeping in place my XLR cables between my H360 and preamp and using them as essentially SE wire by simply removing the right bank of tubes. I love elegant solutions. I'll give that a try and report my findings to the group. Kudos, Marty!

Steve, thanks for sharing Lukasz' tip that the right bank pentodes can be left open as a simple way to assess SE operation/sonics. Another reason (in a long list of things) to love the Horizon - for not only it's incredible performance, but its versatility too.

 

[NellTheAkita]

Same here, I have 3 different Lampi DACs at home right now and all of them are performing flawlessly with TP adapters. Also worth mentioning that all of them are really quiet in terms of transformer noise while using rectifiers in TP adapters.

I think our rolling community is quite big, so such unlucky events are not something we can fully avoid, sadly so called NOS tubes are in reality nothing but a roulette.

Hope everything will be resolved in a healthy manner.