Lampizator Valve / Tube Rolling Review Thread

[Zero000]

Why am I taking filament shots at different voltages?

Portrait of a tube. VT25, VT25A, 10, 10Y

 

[Zero000]

I got confused reading that link. Grok also thought there was a thoriated WE VT-25. I don't believe there is until someone proves otherwise with a photo.

 

[Zero000]

This tube has masses of gain as in preamp volume really low but power amp output high. Think Tesla RD27AS Goran, but more so.

Doesn't sound much like the Tesla, or a KR 242 for that matter. It's quite a calm sounding beast. Doesn't want to get excited.

 

[Zero000]

I really like the white ceramic bases. Put some Deoxit on the pins, which visibly they didn't need, but they fitted like a glove into the UX4 sockets. It felt like the socket sucked them in. Weird, but nice sensation.

 

[Zero000]

As you can probably see, the heater glow is pretty much exactly the same at 6.3V as it is at 7V. It isn't designed to operate at 7.5V.

It will probably sound alright at less than 6.3V, so I wouldn't rule it out if your Lampi can't hit 6.3V.

I am running it at 7V just because. At 6.3V it sounds fine.

 

[Zero000]

I think the overwhelming aspect of these things is their ability not to break up and just stay cool. Gimme Danger by The Stooges and Murder by New Order both come through really nicely. No ear bleed factor even when really loud.

Very hard not to like this aspect and it appears to be present no matter what you play.

I could accuse it of being a bit wooly in the lower registers but it does that in a euphonic manner. Also, on pure speech I would call it out slightly for not handling sibilance that well, which is really surprising as you wouldn't expect to hear that given the apparent performance when playing a wide range of music.

Recommended. And cheap. Which it shouldn't be, really.

I will say in the hand they don't seem to be that well made. But actually I think the eye is fooling you if you think that. It's a quality item.

Recommended, then, and in the upper quarter of my collection, if not the top 10%.

 

[Zero000]

It occurs to me that a good percentage of the tubes I own I rate the best are optimised for radio rather than audio frequencies.

Curious.

 

[JSA]

Hi JSA! I'm interested in hearing about the specifics regarding your preference for Pacific over the Horizon. I have a PAC2 and am quite happy as well. Tubes I use courtesy of Laszlo @takacs75 are Valvo G2504, EF802's, and 4p1l's. Delicious sound!

Hi 2ndLiner, I was traveling last few days. I think the best answer that comes to my mind is that there is a moment where more resolution, bigger soundstage, and even more insight into all micro events on the stage get you into the place where musicality starts to become compromised and instruments don't sound as natural as one would expect.
Don't get me wrong - Horizon is a fabulous DAC, but you start asking yourself whether more is truly better. Difficult to answer - honestly.
For me, I am super happy with my Pacific 2 combined with Neptune - a real magic to me. And while Horizon is objectively better, I subjectively prefer Pacific