Interesting, we also got deep bass in heihei but he has woofers and it did similar magic deep down. even in other systems when it sounded good, while it is not thick like Tak 300b (which I consider fat) it is more linear. I found it very transparent and recording stage to vary. I must also tell you a pair I found sounds different from three others I tried and has deeper bass
Lampizator Valve / Tube Rolling Review Thread
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Production quality appears to be inconsistent for sure. In my first pair one tube was too microphonic to use, in the second pair exactly the same. So I’m using one tube of each pair with one of the two still being more microphonic then the other. I do believe forum member Audioquattr is on his second set too which sounded better then his first if I recall correctly.
I run KR 242 RK quad with the EML 274b for 5 months now. Recently I had one 242 fade quickly and I was having to adjust the balance by 8 ticks. Lampizator graciously replaced at no charge under warranty. I decided to order a back up set of KR 242 RK quads at the same time.
When I replaced the one defunct 242 the balance corrected and things sounded good. Then I tried the full new set of 242s and I was blown away, everything sounded better - cold out of the box. I remain a bit suspect that the production may be slightly different as well. Either way I am happy as I am addicted to the sound.
I also find the VC very helpful and have settled on -17 in my system.
When I replaced the one defunct 242 the balance corrected and things sounded good. Then I tried the full new set of 242s and I was blown away, everything sounded better - cold out of the box. I remain a bit suspect that the production may be slightly different as well. Either way I am happy as I am addicted to the sound.
I also find the VC very helpful and have settled on -17 in my system.
I received my 2nd set as a warranty replacement too. No complaints! These experiences do make me wonder about the validity of sharing tube rolling experiences though.
Wow YG Hailey with the Lampi 242 + Subs will sound outstanding. I never tried the 242 with simaudio but based on your experience if that gain chain works it will be a great find. Also, in future, try the analog domain integrated if you can. It used to work great with the 242. Not sure how it compares to Simaudio but it will drive the YG too. Audionet stern heisenberg is stellar but too expensive
I don't. I didn't find the volume to be that high. I could always go to the lower gain setting.
In my system I found the sound to be too analytical for my taste. I prefer a little more warmth in the mid-range. I guess that's why I like the RD27AS and the Western Electric 300Bs.
Was it overdriven, hard, or underdriven (a bit lifeless). Was the dynamic range quite (not slightly here or there) higher than the usual suspects like PX25, 300b, 45, etc
In the US, tube rolling is not as big as in Europe. However, what is big here is fuse rolling. Have any of you tube rollers tries different fuses in your amps or DAC's? I have used SR orange in all of my components with excellent results. I am about to try Quantum Science fuses.
It wasn't lifeless. It just wasn't very musical. It is hard to describe but you know when you prefer one sound over another.
It is my belief that tube DAC's are not as popular in the US based on distribution network and lack of opportunity to demo them. I see very very little discussion of tube rolling on Audiogon which really is more US sensitive. My statement may not be validated, but I was making a generalization based on what I read.
I do indeed consider the sound to be "warmer" rolling in either the Elrog 300B or the Tak 274B. Out of curiosity, disregarding sound signature, did you feel the sound to be more dynamic with the KR242?
I have to agree with that last statement.
Especially with NOS tubes. If people don't have their own testers and don't know the true condition (and NOT sold as condition, often two very different things!). A worn set of supposedly NOS tubes will sound very different to genuine NOS.
I hope your Telefunken 242s are NOS. Mine weren't and had to go back.
dminches is hearing differently to me. The one thing I would never describe RD27AS as is warm! My pair verges more on the coarse / aggressive side if anything, but because of that they can give a very exciting sound. I know they measure well.
I nearly bought those. Instead I gambled on a pair half the price claimed as NOS, figuring I can test them and send them back if not.
They look pukka at least.
WRT RD27AS it is the highest gain pair of tubes I have. It may just be that the Luxman preamp is struggling a little bit with them.
I might put my Air Tight passive in the loop and see if that is true.
They look pukka at least.
WRT RD27AS it is the highest gain pair of tubes I have. It may just be that the Luxman preamp is struggling a little bit with them.
I might put my Air Tight passive in the loop and see if that is true.
I think dynamic would be a good descriptor for the 242s. I guess it is all a matter of balance, including with all the other components.
I would like to share an interesting experience with you. I have already tried several things to optimise my power supply. At the moment I have my own power line from the fuse box to my system. My own audio FI (Doepke), audio screw-in fuse. Then HMS Energica RC for surge protection, lightning protection, DC filter and switch-on delay. Then Lampizator Silk filter and high quality power cables (HMS)
I have also used an Accustic Arts filter strip and a PS Audio Power Plant 15.
What I have now tested, however, totally impressed me. Lessloss C-MARC 64x Firewall directly to my Lampi and from there directly into the wall socket without any filtering.
I am aware that this tool looks like voodoo, but the improvement in sound is really dramatic in my constellation.
I have also used an Accustic Arts filter strip and a PS Audio Power Plant 15.
What I have now tested, however, totally impressed me. Lessloss C-MARC 64x Firewall directly to my Lampi and from there directly into the wall socket without any filtering.
I am aware that this tool looks like voodoo, but the improvement in sound is really dramatic in my constellation.
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Here’s a review. He liked it best with his Lampi DAC in a simple setup:
LessLoss C-MARC Firewall 64X – HiFi Knights
www.hifiknights.com, this is the review of LessLoss C-MARC Firewall 64X. Author: Dawid Grzyb. Enjoy!
hifiknights.com
On tweaks. Clean your pins.
I use an alcohol pad then a fine sandpaper block/sponge. The pins are brass and should last forever - but are prone to oxidation and also just good old dirt/grime. Thankfully, they recondition to brand new in about 2 minutes per tube-then sound better and look awesome.
I use an alcohol pad then a fine sandpaper block/sponge. The pins are brass and should last forever - but are prone to oxidation and also just good old dirt/grime. Thankfully, they recondition to brand new in about 2 minutes per tube-then sound better and look awesome.
Attachments
Philco ST shaped 01as
I can’t seem to take them out. I have sanded and cleaned the pins back to smooth shiny brass and they are physically very easy now to insert and remove from the sockets- but they just keep going back for some reason.
They are QUIET - the quietest of all the tubes I have. They are also less microphonic likely owing to their shape and later model construction. I have a theory also- that the OS tubes improved in QC progressing from the 20’s to the 40’s and 50’s vintage so the “later“ OS like these may be more consistent in QC and thus better matched in quads etc.
Midrange - do I need to say anything else? That’s where its at IMO and these humble guys do it with aplomb. Open, open, open and the lack of noise makes for a spooky experience from total silence to dynamic transient and then back to black -with decay that seems to last longer.
Maybe my B7 is finally just breaking in.
Woohoo!!!
I can’t seem to take them out. I have sanded and cleaned the pins back to smooth shiny brass and they are physically very easy now to insert and remove from the sockets- but they just keep going back for some reason.They are QUIET - the quietest of all the tubes I have. They are also less microphonic likely owing to their shape and later model construction. I have a theory also- that the OS tubes improved in QC progressing from the 20’s to the 40’s and 50’s vintage so the “later“ OS like these may be more consistent in QC and thus better matched in quads etc.
Midrange - do I need to say anything else? That’s where its at IMO and these humble guys do it with aplomb. Open, open, open and the lack of noise makes for a spooky experience from total silence to dynamic transient and then back to black -with decay that seems to last longer.
Maybe my B7 is finally just breaking in.
Woohoo!!!
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