Lampizator VINYL PHONO MC1 vs. NVO SPA II/2 Special Edition vs. DS Audio DS-W2

[christoph]

Hi Paul
Sorry, busy times atm.
On the Brinkmann Bardo with the Lyra Kleos SL we compared the very good NVO to the Lampi MC1 phono pre directly and we both prefered the Lampi Phono by a big margin because it sounds so much more transparent and natural and alive and organic and it filled the room with 3d images layered from in front of the speakers pane waaaaayy back behind the speakers and in fact even way behind the back wall
We then compared the Bardo-Kleos-Lampi combo to M's current favorite DS Audio W2 system mounted on his new majestic Sikora Standard black Max turntable.
The DS W2 Sikora combo sounded VERY mighty and robust with a very strong and firm foundation. M said that this was what he missed on the Bardo with the same Das W2 system mounted. To me the DS W2 sounded very quiet regarding groove noises but if found it also like a little "processed". I even joked that it sounds like a very good CD-Player
We then changed to the Bardo-Kleos-Lampi combo and for me it was immediately obvious that this presentation was the more natural one. After the first shock, we changed back and forth but we could only conclude that the "cheaper" combo sounded more analog and alive and palpable than the big rig with the DS W2.
We decided that there is only one way to find out what is contributing what when mounting the Kleos SL onto the Sikora KV12 arm on the Sikora Standard black Max. I have my educated guess what the outcome of that could be but I will only find out Wednesday evening.

I will then share my impressions...

 

[Zero000]

I'm not sure which DS Audio cartridge Zellaton were using last Munich but I was perplexed by it.

It is very low noise and it does sound like a digital source. A solid state digital source. And a good one at that.

Interesting experience. I went in there quite a few times.

 

[Uk Paul]

Hi Paul
Sorry, busy times atm.
On the Brinkmann Bardo with the Lyra Kleos SL we compared the very good NVO to the Lampi MC1 phono pre directly and we both prefered the Lampi Phono by a big margin because it sounds so much more transparent and natural and alive and organic and it filled the room with 3d images layered from in front of the speakers pane waaaaayy back behind the speakers and in fact even way behind the back wall
We then compared the Bardo-Kleos-Lampi combo to M's current favorite DS Audio W2 system mounted on his new majestic Sikora Standard black Max turntable.
The DS W2 Sikora combo sounded VERY mighty and robust with a very strong and firm foundation. M said that this was what he missed on the Bardo with the same Das W2 system mounted. To me the DS W2 sounded very quiet regarding groove noises but if found it also like a little "processed". I even joked that it sounds like a very good CD-Player
We then changed to the Bardo-Kleos-Lampi combo and for me it was immediately obvious that this presentation was the more natural one. After the first shock, we changed back and forth but we could only conclude that the "cheaper" combo sounded more analog and alive and palpable than the big rig with the DS W2.
We decided that there is only one way to find out what is contributing what when mounting the Kleos SL onto the Sikora KV12 arm on the Sikora Standard black Max. I have my educated guess what the outcome of that could be but I will only find out Wednesday evening.

I will then share my impressions...

Hi Christoph,
No problem! , thank you for the detailed report! Yes, you should try Lyra/Sikora/Lampizator, as good as the Bardo really is, the Sikora is on a higher plane in all regards, the outcome could be wonderful!
Keep me posted, when you have time

ATB,
Paul

 

[christoph]

I'm not sure which DS Audio cartridge Zellaton were using last Munich but I was perplexed by it.

It is very low noise and it does sound like a digital source. A solid state digital source. And a good one at that.

Interesting experience. I went in there quite a few times.

What color was the light in the pickup?
W2 (second to the top) is red. Master (top model) is purple.
The DS has it's merits. Until you compare it to an excellent "ordinary" analog phono

 

[christoph]

Hi Christoph,
No problem! , thank you for the detailed report! Yes, you should try Lyra/Sikora/Lampizator, as good as the Bardo really is, the Sikora is on a higher plane in all regards, the outcome could be wonderful!
Keep me posted, when you have time

ATB,
Paul

That is what I expect, honestly

 

[advanced101]

New review:
http://hifiknights.com/reviews/sources/lampizator-vinyl-phono-mc1-2/

 

[christoph]

New review:
http://hifiknights.com/reviews/sources/lampizator-vinyl-phono-mc1-2/

Saw it already yesterday.
I think it is quite spot on.

 

[Zero000]

What color was the light in the pickup?
W2 (second to the top) is red. Master (top model) is purple.
The DS has it's merits. Until you compare it to an excellent "ordinary" analog phono

Purple Master 1 on a Reed Muse 1C TT. I'd post the picture but it is a hassle to do at work.

It was the only room where I got interested in analogue TBH. Just because it sounded so different to conventional analogue.

I've heard DS Audio carts before but this is the first time I have been quite seriously impressed.

 

[shakti]

Looking forward to try out the Lampizator Phono stage at home soon.
I have just ordered a MC version and a MM Version.
As they are built to customer order, it will take some days,
that I can hopefully start to enjoy them

 

[advanced101]

Awesome. Keep us updated, the Lampi is at the top of my dedicated phono list.

 

[jsn]

FYI. It is about Lampizator phono :
The future models will have XLR output, but that will come no sooner than summer 2020.
.

 

[shakti]

cool,
I was waiting for this info, as all products from Lukas do exist as Single ended and full balanced.
I hope, that the Design will be full balanced as well, not just adding semi xlr output connectors.

But I am still looking forward to receive the MC1 and MM1 single ended versions.
As with my experience with Golden Gate DAC, the single ended versions are more easy to customize with tube rolling,
full balanced do double the costs on tubes and mostly is more limited in chice of tubes due to the fully balanced Design requirements .

 

[wisnon]

Based on what i just heard, the DHT version still has much development to go, so I expect not before 6 months at the earliest and if feasible, based on his high performance bar that he demands.