Lampizator Valve / Tube Rolling Review Thread

[Zero000]

Thanks for that synopsis. That sounds like some real work that might be beyond me.

I think the Pacific uses Toroidy transformers. I doubt you have a real issue there. It'll be something else in all likelihood. I will say mine is now running super quietly. Hum is just not detectable even with the gain up high and no music playing.

Are you using very efficient speakers by any chance? That may accentuate hum issues.

 

[jbrrp1]

I think the Pacific uses Toroidy transformers. I doubt you have a real issue there. It'll be something else in all likelihood. I will say mine is now running super quietly. Hum is just not detectable even with the gain up high and no music playing.

Are you using very efficient speakers by any chance? That may accentuate hum issues.

No, my speakers are 86 - 87 dB. My tube phono stage doesn't present with near as noticeable noise. I think I will have Lampi look my Pacific over when I send it in for the USB input upgrade.

 

[christoph]

Thanks for that synopsis. That sounds like some real work that might be beyond me.

Take your Pacific to someone elses place to try and if it does NOT hums there, it is probably the power situation at your place.

 

[jbrrp1]

Yeah, that is a great suggestion. Since I have had noise issues common to three Lampi DAC's in a row, it could just be my power. Although, I did change from a Topaz isolation transformer feeding an HB Cable Designs Marble to a PS Audio P20 regenerator, and my noise changed not a jot (in both cases, it is a little worse direct from the wall). I measure virtually zero DC offset, so it's not that (there is a bit direct from the wall).

 

[dminches]

Just received these. I am hoping they will sound nice ones I put some hours on them.

 

[Golum]

Super David!
Very very much looking fw what you’ll have to say about those...

 

[Zero000]

Me too.

I had some glorious hours with the Telefunken RS242 yesterday. Then the troublesome valve went duff again. What a shame. Put it on the tester and got 0.8 mA/V. NOS should read 3 mA/V. I have left it in the tester hoping it will recover. If not, they go back tomorrow.

It's a top tube, no friggin' question. I will get another pair.

Not happy

 

[Zero000]

OK so perhaps surprisingly the real 242 is euphonic in a natural way. Hard to describe but it just sounds good in a very enjoyable manner. It is nothing like the KR242 that aspires to be quite high performance but just doesn't sound as natural IMHO. That said until I get a pair that I regard as testing at least very good to excellent I cannot recommend relying on what I have just said as being indicative of a really good pair.

The TMBF1 is a surprise. French and romantic sounding? Absolutely not. This valve is alarmingly hi-fidelity. It's sonic performance is very modern and clearer and better defined than practically and probably anything I have heard in my DAC so far. And it's low microphony. It's excellenty truthful in a way that surprises you as you try to listen to find flaws but just can't find them. Maybe there's a minute sense of it not being entirely natural, but that could well be unfair. In fact, on edit of this post, I think it is, so ignore!

TMBF1 has excellent, precise imagery too. It is a top flight performer.

 

[Zero000]

TMBF1 will work in Lampis that are optimised for KR 242 guys.

In my opinion it is definitely appreciably superior. And it's well priced. You just need am adaptor.

 

[Golum]

How is the gain J.?

 

[sbnx]

Does this tube have the same gain as a 242?

 

[DeMarko]

I still have the hope that one day they will bowl me over like they bowl you over
Out of curiosity, what tube was the one exception where the EML 45 mesh Anni Globes where not the best?

KR PX 4. It was a system specific match, great match it was. The system owner tells me every time he sees me that it was the best DAC he ever heard in his system, and he had a $40k DAC at the time and tested a $105k DAC before he heard my Lampizator GG1.

 

[Zero000]

Does this tube have the same gain as a 242?

It's a high gain tube. If it isn't exactly the same as the KR it isn't far off.

I am listening to it now. I've be writing on this thread for a while now. I have heard a lot of sh*t. So...

In my DAC this is the best I have ever heard. It's just bleeding edge good.

That said we all like different things.

 

[dminches]

TMBF1 will work in Lampis that are optimised for KR 242 guys.

In my opinion it is definitely appreciably superior. And it's well priced. You just need am adaptor.

What adapter is needed?

 

[Zero000]

What adapter is needed?

B4 to UX4.

Or maybe sold on eBay as PX25 to 300B. That's what mine are marked as.

But that doesn't mean a PX25 is a 300B.electrically and it shouldn't be treated as such. The Chinese eBay guys selling them are just talking about the pins.

 

[DasguteOhr]

Search for a RS 242X Tube better cathodes longlife B4 goldpin socket
Great sounding

#TUBE #RS242 X #TELEFUNKEN #GOLD #SENDEN #RS 242 T #100 WS #RADIO #VALVE #LAMPE | eBay

Entdecken Sie #TUBE #RS242 X #TELEFUNKEN #GOLD #SENDEN #RS 242 T #100 WS #RADIO #VALVE #LAMPE in der großen Auswahl bei eBay. Kostenlose Lieferung für viele Artikel!

www.ebay.de

 

[Zero000]

On further thoughts my gut feeling is RS242 isn't going to outperform TMBF1. I'm not going to re-invest in it.

 

[Bobofei86]

Dear all Lampizator experts,

I upgraded from Baltic to GG2 few months ago and followed the advise by WBF experts to change to RK242 + GZ480, this combination sounds fantastic and i really love this kind of direct, focus and accurate tone with my ATC SCM50A, however, I got a message from an experienced users that the output of GZ480 (4A) is too large which may damage my GG2 in a long run, i tried to change it back to RK5u4g and ACME 274b but my system lost its magic with the GZ480...

Really appreciate you guys advise, any other tube which sounds similar to GZ480 or any workaround which I can stay with it without any potential damage to my GG2,

Thx
Joe

 

[Golum]

Hi Joe;

Honestly first time that I hear about something like that and personally I know at least dozen of guys using GZ480 in their Lampies daily while even Lukasz Fikus is using it at his demo room...
This tube got his blessing for usage, so I assume it's safe and sound to be used...

Just my two cents...

 

[Bobofei86]

Hi Joe;

Honestly first time that I hear about something like that and personally know at least dozen of guys using GZ480 in their Lampies and even Lukasz Fikus using it at his demo room...
This tube got his blessing for usage so I assume it's safe and sound to be used...

Just my two cents...

Thanks so much Golum

Always trust you guys who are my master Yoda, i followed the same route and just purchased a SGM Extreme with the new USB to match with my GG2, even though im only using Aurender acs10 now, GG2 helped qobuz streaming sounds awesome already, i will switch my GZ480 back tonite and dont look back again