Lampizator Resale

[Chrisl]

I'm considering still a used Lampizator Baltic 4 or Atlantic 3. I've had Musician Taurus R2R dac for the last month. Incredibly resolving and detailed. But no musicality. I've totally gotten spoiled on musicality on my new Kuzma 4Point9 and Hana Blue cartridge. It's incredibly engaging!

However, there's no way to audition any of these dacs here locally in Portland. I'd like to ask about the ease of selling these units. Lamp Poland has a pristine Baltic 4 for $5200 and I've seen the latest Atlantic for around $8500. How easily are these resold if I don't like it? There are quite a few on HifiZero so I'm a bit concerned about the demand for used units. I've never bought any audio device used so I'm pretty hesitant tbh. Thanks for any responses!

 

[msimanyi]

When I bought from lampizator.com, the US distributors, I believe there was a 14 day trial period.

I think they also used to have an upgrade program, though I believe that has been discontinued or at least temporarily suspended.

You might talk with them to explore your audition options. Rob has been a great contact for me at the company. They may even have some used units available to try.

Edited to add: I'm not saying anything here you won't see elsewhere in the discussions about all their products, but... I absolutely love my Atlantic 3. It's great out of the box, responds well to tube rolling, power cables and input cables, and other than I *really* want a Poseidon or Horizon, I am utterly thrilled with its performance. Every time I sit down to listen, it's a good day.

 

[Chrisl]

Thanks Msimanyi. But I'm not considering a new product at this time.

 

[msimanyi]

Thanks Msimanyi. But I'm not considering a new product at this time.

That's why I mentioned they may have some trade-in inventory available to audition as well. Give them a call or hit them with an email. If they can't help, it'll barely take any time out of your day.

Sorry I can't answer your specific question about resale. I just don't have any experience in that.

 

[gleeds]

I'm considering still a used Lampizator Baltic 4 or Atlantic 3. I've had Musician Taurus R2R dac for the last month. Incredibly resolving and detailed. But no musicality. I've totally gotten spoiled on musicality on my new Kuzma 4Point9 and Hana Blue cartridge. It's incredibly engaging!

However, there's no way to audition any of these dacs here locally in Portland. I'd like to ask about the ease of selling these units. Lamp Poland has a pristine Baltic 4 for $5200 and I've seen the latest Atlantic for around $8500. How easily are these resold if I don't like it? There are quite a few on HifiZero so I'm a bit concerned about the demand for used units. I've never bought any audio device used so I'm pretty hesitant tbh. Thanks for any responses!

Analog is analog, and the Hana Blue compares with carts, which cost much more. My experience owning Lampizator DACs is pretty deep. Lampizators are DACs, which vinyl lovers often prefer. They do tone and texture well, which most DACS cannot, even at higher prices. Ron Resnick, the Co-founder of WBF, has a Baltic 4, and his analog front ends are:

1) a Brinkman table, Reed tangential arm, and an Airtight Supreme cartridge and
2) a Studer reel-to reel.

All to say, Ron drives his Baltic 4 daily and enjoys it thoroughly. Also, Lampis don't change hands often; when they do, it's because an owner is trading up in the family. The Baltic 4 is a great unit and responds well to tube rolling for improved performance. They are also very reliable, and Lampizator North America (Rob and Fred) enjoys a stellar reputation for supporting customers who buy through their distribution channel. I'm confident Rob can find you a well-loved unit. Good luck.

Robert Reich 917.854.4471

 

[Zero000]

I would suggest buying a pre-PCB Lampizator. That is, all non DAC parts aren't on a PCB.

The 1st two box Big 7 and later single chassis version.

The sound quality varies by changing any of the parts and those units can be modified really easily in so many different ways.

They are also triode based and whilst triodes suffer from many flaws, they kick arse when listening to the best examples, which don't have so many flaws but are hard to find. Expect to try many options as you struggle to find what works best for you.

My 1st gen Big 7 is modified beyond belief from the original spec. Get one and make friends with some hardware engineers, look up silly price components and wonder what they will sound like in your DAC and have endless fun getting where you need to be.

Like Bitcoin, everyone gets a decent DAC at the price they deserve.

It's an intelligence test.

 

[Jeff4598]

Have not had a Lamp in my system but Audio Mirror, new for about $6,000 is pretty amazing. All tube no caps in signal path. IMO worth a listen. Great pace and musical expression.

 

[RikkiPoo]

Wow, thanks for introducing me to HiFiZero! Your right there are a lot of Lampi's for sale.

I have a Golden Gate that I sent back to upgrade from GG1 to GG3 status. I had a Denafrips Terminator before and agree on the musicality of those DAC's.

I think the reason there are no Golden Gates for sale is they are keepers. I would recommend saving a bit more and waiting for a Golden Gate to show up used. I have had mine for 2 years, it was 5 years old when I bought it and I have no urge to consider changing. BTW the upgrade is phenomenal.

 

[Argonaut]

Also, Lampis don't change hands often; when they do, it's because an owner is trading up in the family.

You know all these sellers personally ?

Used lampizator for Sale | HifiShark.com

Used Lampizator for sale on 400+ second hand hifi sites & shops. Use Hifi Shark to monitor pricing and global availability

www.hifishark.com

 

[Trab]

You know all these sellers personally ?

Used lampizator for Sale | HifiShark.com

Used Lampizator for sale on 400+ second hand hifi sites & shops. Use Hifi Shark to monitor pricing and global availability

www.hifishark.com

True, no GG listed for sale on hifishark. Few Poseidons, Horizons, Baltics and BIG7 but no GG.

 

[bonzo75]

True, no GG listed for sale on hifishark. Few Poseidons, Horizons, Baltics and BIG7 but no GG.

IMO that was unbeatable, and the perfect price point. The GG3 might be quite good, having heard it once. Never liked the GG2. The PAC 2 might be very good as it came out with GG3

 

[Chrisl]

Is this the same as a GG3? https://tmraudio.com/components/d-a...big-7-mk3-tube-dac-d-a-converter-xlr-upgrade/ and https://www.audiogon.com/listings/l...-dac-d-a-converter-xlr-up-73041-da-converters
I'm a bit confused about the differences...

 

[RikkiPoo]

While I am no Lampizator expert I suspect the Big7 and GG3 are pretty close after upgrade to Engine11 or 11P. I think of the Big7 as an early rendition of the GoldenGate with the DHT analog output.
I am a superfan of DHT's. DHT's draw me in on an emotional level that to me is missing in general with digital playback at this used price point.

This is from Lampizator a they have combined the GoldenGate and Big7 together.

BIG 7 MK3 DAC | lampizator

www.lampizatorpoland.com

https://www.lampizatorpoland.com/_files/ugd/c6db56_9cd2b8cc5c7f422ebe46cc2f42d08d94.pdf?index=true

 

[Chrisl]

While I am no Lampizator expert I suspect the Big7 and GG3 are pretty close after upgrade to Engine11 or 11P. I think of the Big7 as an early rendition of the GoldenGate with the DHT analog output.
I am a superfan of DHT's. DHT's draw me in on an emotional level that to me is missing in general with digital playback at this used price point.

This is from Lampizator a they have combined the GoldenGate and Big7 together.

BIG 7 MK3 DAC | lampizator

www.lampizatorpoland.com

https://www.lampizatorpoland.com/_files/ugd/c6db56_9cd2b8cc5c7f422ebe46cc2f42d08d94.pdf?index=true

Thanks for the info RikkiPoo. I've had 300B tubed amps in the past and really liked them. So having a DAC using this tube is very enticing.

 

[Trab]

Is this the same as a GG3? https://tmraudio.com/components/d-a...big-7-mk3-tube-dac-d-a-converter-xlr-upgrade/ and https://www.audiogon.com/listings/l...-dac-d-a-converter-xlr-up-73041-da-converters
I'm a bit confused about the differences...

BIG7 dac is historically first DHT dac. The dac that started to make Lampizator famous. At that time, about 10 Years ago, Łukasz was sceptical about expensive audiophile parts, but due to BIG7 success he built dac technically similar, but loaded with expensive renown parts and called it GG - luxury version of BIG7. GG was significantly expensive.
It appear to be even bigger success and since that time Łukasz is more open to audiophile components.

In GG Łukasz give more option for using DHT tubes of different type. In BIG 7 you have the switch for only two; 300 or 45 type.

The version for sale is without vc and is balanced. It is harder to obtain quad of tubes, and a lot of Lampi users find vc helpful.
On the other hand, you get the newest version with E11.

DHT 45 are in my opinion excellent if you value analog like sound, and NOS are not that expensive and popular in US. They are not the
master of punch, dynamics, but vocals and tone are great. This is my cup of tea. Note you have good newly produced 45 type tubes included.

About rectifier in Lampi there might be a whole book written, but IMO if you do not want to spend a lot go, obtain some Telefunken, Philips, and Valvo AZ1, all with mesh anodes (they are cheap), together with TP adapter from Laszlo, and here you are.
Put the dac on Symposium fat padz, and you get another step up, and you are really high up.

Have no idea if the price is high or not, and for sure you can ask Łukasz about such purchase. He was always open for me and I got quick, short, straight forward answers.

 

[Chrisl]

Fantastic info Trab, Thank you! Now I see why the GG was more expensive. I'm using a LTA Microzotyl preamp so no vc isn't a deal breaker. Again, Thanks for the info!

 

[Trab]

Fantastic info Trab, Thank you! Now I see why the GG was more expensive. I'm using a LTA Microzotyl preamp so no vc isn't a deal breaker. Again, Thanks for the info!

Don’t know your pre. Lampi gives out quite strong signal, and some preamps don’t like that. It would be nice to give it a try. If impossible, and the problem occurs, some adjustments might be needed.
Go, check the input sensitivity of your pre, or find all technical data’s, and send it to Łukasz to evaluate.
p.s.
I advise to contact Łukasz, but I’m from Poland. It might be prefered you should contact US dealer, don’t know.

 

[Chrisl]

Oh really? I didn't know that. I just sent Lukasz an email and will ask after I hear back. Thank you Trab again!

 

[Trab]

Oh really? I didn't know that. I just sent Lukasz an email and will ask after I hear back. Thank you Trab again!

I had such mismatch with old “Lampizator Level 4 dac” and my pre and Łukasz solved the problem.
Seldom, but as you see It happened. Łukasz explained that few times. He focuses on quality he is hearing, and if it is better for sound to put strong signal, that’s what he does.
And one more thing. Obtaining BIG7 and not GG you should not worry too much about quality gap in music, because later on you can focus on power cord, usb and LAN cables or things like power supply or Etherregen and there will be bigger smile on your face every time.

 

[RikkiPoo]

Thanks for the info RikkiPoo. I've had 300B tubed amps in the past and really liked them. So having a DAC using this tube is very enticing.

Using DHT’s for low level signal amplification is tricky but when done well has a very musical presentation.
It’s not a popular approach because of the difficulty but IMO it’s worth it.
I use an Allnic 8000 DHT preamp with my GG3, for me more is better.