Precisely my point Rudoloh. Tubes matter. Everything matters. So to say one thing matters more to me is utter BS. The same way you optimized your unit I have done the same. However mine is a tube unit. Yours isn’t. What is it that you don’t get I can bet both you and Mike that if you had a tube DAC both of you would be the first to seek out tubes that fit your system and sound right to your ears. It’s all very basic. All roads lead to Rome. I have found my path. You have found yours. It’s all good. But don’t ever say that a demo of a tube DAC is complete with just the stock tubes. This is the premise upon which Ron and Patrick based their decision. Frankly I totally disagree. Patrick knows my feelings. I had a long talk with him last night. He also told me that the best sound of all the DACs he has heard was at my house in February. He just couldn’t achieve the same sound at his house even though he admits 15 hours with a new unit and new tubes is woefully inadequate
Don't recall you rolling Audio Research tubes on audition back in Danville. Or Lamm before you bought it soon after. Optimizing a piece is different than an initial purchase. You never really tried any other dacs so guess I really don't understand all the push back.
I purchased an LTA preamp with a 14 day return policy - like Lampi, it comes with better than usual tubes. Is the assumption that I should have ordered a bunch of NOS tubes to *audition* it? I liked it so bought it. Only upon further diligence did I find the stock tubes were best in one position and we were able to improve another. The fundamental signature of the dac remained.
Unfortunately, this all reads by you and Ked as if the only reason
not to prefer a Lampi is the tubes used - this is pure silliness. I'll note that Pat has tried several tube dacs over his investigation. Is he supposed to purchase NOS tubes for all of them prior to audition? Fred just said he ships with tubes that he feels the purchaser will enjoy. Isn't that enough to make a purchaser decision?
You and Pat's system is completely different. Lamm with former Wilson titanium tweeter vs. Boulder w/ newer silk dome and alnico midrange? why would you expect them to be the same or for one to perform similar?
I don't have a dog in this fight and am just enjoying Pat's journey to find a dac. Similar to my speaker one. I hope he finds the magic and enjoys it for a long time.