Lampizator Valve / Tube Rolling Review Thread

[plasmod3]

10 days-in on RK PX25s. I can say at first the sound was tight and somewhat constrained, the midrange seemed recessed and the highs slightly etched.

Don’t give up on these. After 10 days of continuous operation things have opened up in the mids now - and not only has the mid range constraint vanished, but now there is what I would describe as very generous midrange bloom- in a good very tube- like way. Bass is round but deep and very tube- like as well. In fact, overall, this is probably the most “tube like” presentation I have heard yet. I feel like I’m taking a bath in low-order harmonic.

These are nothing like the RK242.

They run noticeably warmer than the RK242 as well- Class A1 vs A2 makes a difference I guess.

Using RK 5u4g Anniversary edition Recti currently -but will also try the Tak274b soon , which I expect to just draw me further into the organic from my past experience. We’ll see if it’s too much- but usually I can’t get enough of organic so probably not.

Still breaking in so will report back.

I love Lampi.

So px25 better than 242? Wait till you try the nos px25s .blows the rk out of the water

 

[godofwealth]

10 days-in on RK PX25s. I can say at first the sound was tight and somewhat constrained, the midrange seemed recessed and the highs slightly etched.

Don’t give up on these. After 10 days of continuous operation things have opened up in the mids now - and not only has the mid range constraint vanished, but now there is what I would describe as very generous midrange bloom- in a good very tube- like way. Bass is round but deep and very tube- like as well. In fact, overall, this is probably the most “tube like” presentation I have heard yet. I feel like I’m taking a bath in low-order harmonic.

These are nothing like the RK242.

They run noticeably warmer than the RK242 as well- Class A1 vs A2 makes a difference I guess.

Using RK 5u4g Anniversary edition Recti currently -but will also try the Tak274b soon , which I expect to just draw me further into the organic from my past experience. We’ll see if it’s too much- but usually I can’t get enough of organic so probably not.

Still breaking in so will report back.

I love Lampi.

Just tried a new pair of Psvane 101Ds in my Pacific. Played nicely for the first few hours. Then one of the tubes failed! Needless to say, I strongly recommend avoiding these tubes and this manufacturer. Scurrying back to safety with my KR 300Bs and KR 242s, which have been far more reliable (although I did have a problem with a 242 as well).

Based on a few months of experience, I’d have to say that my number one tube choice with the Lampi’s are the 300Bs for their rock solid stability and sonic prowess. The 242s are not as reliable. The 101D — avoid at all costs! I have not tried the PX25s. I have NOS 45s that are a good cheaper substitute, but not as good as the 300Bs.

 

[cpcat]

So px25 better than 242? Wait till you try the nos px25s .blows the rk out of the water

If I could find a matched- or even pseudo- matched quad , and for less than 3K, I would consider. Otherwise, it’s an academic discussion.

The NOS PX25 and RDa27 as well as adn1 are rare and congratulations to those who are enjoying them currently!

Not sure I would say “better” btw- with regards to RK242 vs RK25, just different. And I think it is important to point out that I am talking about RK25-not KR25.

I’d say if you want to move toward more traditional tube sound, try the RK25-and make sure you give it time.

 

[cpcat]

Just tried a new pair of Psvane 101Ds in my Pacific. Played nicely for the first few hours. Then one of the tubes failed! Needless to say, I strongly recommend avoiding these tubes and this manufacturer. Scurrying back to safety with my KR 300Bs and KR 242s, which have been far more reliable (although I did have a problem with a 242 as well).

Based on a few months of experience, I’d have to say that my number one tube choice with the Lampi’s are the 300Bs for their rock solid stability and sonic prowess. The 242s are not as reliable. The 101D — avoid at all costs! I have not tried the PX25s. I have NOS 45s that are a good cheaper substitute, but not as good as the 300Bs.

I really like the new issue WE 300bs (fav 300b) as well as other 300b and types - TJ300b globes, NOS RCA 112a (prefer ST over globes), Philco ST 01a’s, and Cunningham 01a’s. My stock Shuguang 300b-98 not too shabby either.

The NU 45s I have are just ok. Would love to try EML Lampi 45s some day but finding a quad may not happen.

 

[godofwealth]

If I could find a matched- or even pseudo- matched quad , and for less than 3K, I would consider. Otherwise, it’s an academic discussion.

The NOS PX25 and RDa27 as well as adn1 are rare and congratulations to those who are enjoying them currently!

Not sure I would say “better” btw- with regards to RK242 vs RK25, just different. And I think it is important to point out that I am talking about RK25-not KR25.

I’d say if you want to move toward more traditional tube sound, try the RK25-and make sure you give it time.

I think it’s worth pointing out that tube reliability is my primary concern with LampI Pacific. The sound is fabulous. But within a few months, I have already had 1 KR 242 die on me, 1 Psvane 101d failed with the first few hours, and a NOS 45 also failed. Just for comparison, I have been running Audio Research Reference preamp, CD player and tube monoblocks for 2.5 years 5-6 hours per day with not one tube failure. These three components have between them about 30+ tubes. ARC goes through extraordinary lengths to make reliable tube equipment. Lampi has a long way to go in my view to designing tube equipment that is as rock solid in reliability as ARC. That sort of reliability comes with 40-50 years of experience. Lampi is a young company, so I cut them some slack. But based on my experience I’d be cautious in recommending their DACs to anyone, unless they are prepared to put up with fairly frequent tube failures.

 

[cpcat]

Number of failures for me=none.

I did have 5687 NOS Tungsol explode inside my ANK DAC4.1 signature a few years back.

 

[Golum]

Would love to try EML Lampi 45s some day but finding a quad may not happen.

Ping @rau - he might make you happy as he has quad…

 

[christoph]

I think it’s worth pointing out that tube reliability is my primary concern with LampI Pacific. The sound is fabulous. But within a few months, I have already had 1 KR 242 die on me, 1 Psvane 101d failed with the first few hours, and a NOS 45 also failed. Just for comparison, I have been running Audio Research Reference preamp, CD player and tube monoblocks for 2.5 years 5-6 hours per day with not one tube failure. These three components have between them about 30+ tubes. ARC goes through extraordinary lengths to make reliable tube equipment. Lampi has a long way to go in my view to designing tube equipment that is as rock solid in reliability as ARC. That sort of reliability comes with 40-50 years of experience. Lampi is a young company, so I cut them some slack. But based on my experience I’d be cautious in recommending their DACs to anyone, unless they are prepared to put up with fairly frequent tube failures.

You really blame the DAC where the tubes are rather being caressed than driven for your failing tubes?
Sorry, but that does make absolutely no sense to me

I have/had several Lampi DACs for years and I have several dozens of tubes and not one single failure so far

 

[rau]

You really blame the DAC where the tubes are rather being caressed than driven for your failing tubes?
Sorry, but that does make absolutely no sense to me

I have/had several Lampi DACs for years and I have several dozens of tubes and not one single failure so far

Me either

 

[plasmod3]

I think it’s worth pointing out that tube reliability is my primary concern with LampI Pacific. The sound is fabulous. But within a few months, I have already had 1 KR 242 die on me, 1 Psvane 101d failed with the first few hours, and a NOS 45 also failed. Just for comparison, I have been running Audio Research Reference preamp, CD player and tube monoblocks for 2.5 years 5-6 hours per day with not one tube failure. These three components have between them about 30+ tubes. ARC goes through extraordinary lengths to make reliable tube equipment. Lampi has a long way to go in my view to designing tube equipment that is as rock solid in reliability as ARC. That sort of reliability comes with 40-50 years of experience. Lampi is a young company, so I cut them some slack. But based on my experience I’d be cautious in recommending their DACs to anyone, unless they are prepared to put up with fairly frequent tube failures.

Did it all fail in the same channel?

 

[godofwealth]

Hmm..good question. No, I think once the failure was in the left channel and the other times it was the right. I’d be suspicious of tube reliability if it were isolated to one manufacturer or a tube type, but since it’s now happened across three different tube brands/types, I’m not so sure. Again, I can only comment on my own experience and not anyone else’s. If you haven’t had tube failures with the Pacific, that‘s great to hear, but doesn’t alleviate my concern. At this point, 300B tubes are my top choice since I have yet to have one of them fail on my Lampi or on my JJ SET amplifier. Of course, 300B tubes are known for their reliability, so it’s not surprising. But as far as tube rolling, I’m going to be more cautious. If you like the sound of a tube, great, but give it a few hundred or thousand hours to see if it is reliable.

 

[plasmod3]

Hmm..good question. No, I think once the failure was in the left channel and the other times it was the right. I’d be suspicious of tube reliability if it were isolated to one manufacturer or a tube type, but since it’s now happened across three different tube brands/types, I’m not so sure. Again, I can only comment on my own experience and not anyone else’s. If you haven’t had tube failures with the Pacific, that‘s great to hear, but doesn’t alleviate my concern. At this point, 300B tubes are my top choice since I have yet to have one of them fail on my Lampi or on my JJ SET amplifier. Of course, 300B tubes are known for their reliability, so it’s not surprising. But as far as tube rolling, I’m going to be more cautious. If you like the sound of a tube, great, but give it a few hundred or thousand hours to see if it is reliable.

So what brand valves were you using? All from the same seller or different sellers?

 

[godofwealth]

I had one KR 242 fail, one PSVane 101D fail, and one NOS Sylvania 45 fail. So far, the KR 300B tubes have been reliable (knock on wood).

 

[dminches]

I had one KR 242 fail, one PSVane 101D fail, and one NOS Sylvania 45 fail. So far, the KR 300B tubes have been reliable (knock on wood).

I assume with the 242 and the 101D you changed the heater setting on the back of the Pacific?

 

[godofwealth]

Yes, all tube rolling I have done so far has been done consistent with the right setting of the tube heater on the back.

 

[plasmod3]

Yes, all tube rolling I have done so far has been done consistent with the right setting of the tube heater on the back.

Unusual to have 3 tubes fail, have you spoken to luksz to see what he thinks? I know my pac is finicky with its usb input but thank good the tubes are still OK. Will be nice if that problem is solved

 

[godofwealth]

So far, I have had no issues at all with the USB or SPDIF input on my Pacific (knock on wood). It’s been bullet proof as far as playback of digital streams at whatever resolution I’ve thrown at it, which is more than I can say about a lot of other high priced digital playback systems I’ve owned over the past, gosh, 25 years (don’t get me started on dCS systems!). I’m going to give tube rolling a rest and enjoy listening to the Pacific on the KR 300B tubes. I’m using a NOS Western Electric 274B rectifier, which absolutely blows away the KR 274B rectifier I used before. The 300Bs have been bullet proof and I’m happy with their overall sonic character. I find the 242s leaner and more threadbare On my Quad electrostatics.

The Pacific has made me rediscover the joys of my 30+ year collection of compact discs. I use the two chassis massive belt driven CEC TL0 CD transport that weighs 50 pounds with a separate power supply. Now that’s a stunning digital source component. I cannot explain it, but the CEC sounds considerably better than any streaming source I have yet heard, including the Lampizator DasKomputer server that I use with the Pacific with USB streaming at any resolution including DSD.

Previously I used the highly regarded Chord Blu Mk2 M-scaler/transport with the Dave DAC. I still have this solid state transport/DAC, but the CEC TL0/Pacific sounds considerably better. Rob Watts who designed the Dave DAC and the million tap M-scaler still thinks USB is inferior to SPDIF. He should know since he’s pioneered a lot of the digital technology that underlies Chord’s DAC’s. I don’t fully get his rather technical explanation for why USB is an inferior digital interface, but it has a lot too do with the extra processing involved.

 

[plasmod3]

So far, I have had no issues at all with the USB or SPDIF input on my Pacific (knock on wood). It’s been bullet proof as far as playback of digital streams at whatever resolution I’ve thrown at it, which is more than I can say about a lot of other high priced digital playback systems I’ve owned over the past, gosh, 25 years (don’t get me started on dCS systems!). I’m going to give tube rolling a rest and enjoy listening to the Pacific on the KR 300B tubes. I’m using a NOS Western Electric 274B rectifier, which absolutely blows away the KR 274B rectifier I used before. The 300Bs have been bullet proof and I’m happy with their overall sonic character. I find the 242s leaner and more threadbare On my Quad electrostatics.

The Pacific has made me rediscover the joys of my 30+ year collection of compact discs. I use the two chassis massive belt driven CEC TL0 CD transport that weighs 50 pounds with a separate power supply. Now that’s a stunning digital source component. I cannot explain it, but the CEC sounds considerably better than any streaming source I have yet heard, including the Lampizator DasKomputer server that I use with the Pacific with USB streaming at any resolution including DSD.

Previously I used the highly regarded Chord Blu Mk2 M-scaler/transport with the Dave DAC. I still have this solid state transport/DAC, but the CEC TL0/Pacific sounds considerably better. Rob Watts who designed the Dave DAC and the million tap M-scaler still thinks USB is inferior to SPDIF. He should know since he’s pioneered a lot of the digital technology that underlies Chord’s DAC’s. I don’t fully get his rather technical explanation for why USB is an inferior digital interface, but it has a lot too do with the extra processing involved.

I have spoken to Luksz about the usb issue I have on mine. He says it's a problem with the usb filter. For some reason it just cuts in after a few seconds or minutes of play. He says he will get an updated firmware out...that was 2 months ago. Looks like he's too busy building horizons to get this one out. Hopefully soon I guess

I too have the cec tl0 and yes it does sound better than my streaming atm. It has to use the right cable though for the spdif . That I found was the key.

We 274b is good but go the engraved one. A cheap tube I found that gets 90% of the performance of the 274b was the cheap svetlana 5u4g. An absolute bargain on that one

 

[cpcat]

We 274b is good but go the engraved one. A cheap tube I found that gets 90% of the performance of the 274b was the cheap svetlana 5u4g. An absolute bargain on that one

My B7 MKII came with svetlana 5u3c stock Recti. It is my 3rd fav behind RK 5u4g anniv and Tak274b.

I have a regular RK 5u4g as a backup that I haven’t tried yet. I’m hoping it is the same as RK5u4g anniversary- can’t see any difference internally.

 

[dminches]

I have always preferred the 274Bs over the 5u4G rectifiers in my Pacific and now my Horizon. I don't have any scientific reason for this. It has just been my experience.