Madfloyd's System

[jap]

I have a Lightharmonic Lightspeed USB cable. How much is the Total DAC cable?

The problem I'm having with the DAC now is that the bass is not good. It's boomy and does not have a black background. Stand up (acoustic) bass is hard to listen to. Reminds me of when I had a certain brand of ported speakers.

If you didn't like the bass why did you buy them?

 

[Alpinist]

I have a Lightharmonic Lightspeed USB cable. How much is the Total DAC cable?

The problem I'm having with the DAC now is that the bass is not good. It's boomy and does not have a black background. Stand up (acoustic) bass is hard to listen to. Reminds me of when I had a certain brand of ported speakers.

Hi Ian,

You may want to try the Wireworld Platinum Starlight 7 USB cable. I've had this cable for about one year and bass is tight, fast and not overblown. It is also extremely transparent and resolving. I found it to be a significant improvement over the Audioquest Diamond USB cable, which I previously owned.

Best,
Ken

 

[Geardaddy]

I have a Lightharmonic Lightspeed USB cable. How much is the Total DAC cable?

The problem I'm having with the DAC now is that the bass is not good. It's boomy and does not have a black background. Stand up (acoustic) bass is hard to listen to. Reminds me of when I had a certain brand of ported speakers.

Standup bass in my system is close to perfect. My speakers are rear ported transmission line affairs

 

[MadFloyd]

Standup bass in my system is close to perfect. My speakers are rear ported transmission line affairs

Good to hear. I might be able to ameliorate the issue by moving my speakers but my bass is great on my analog rig (and solid state DACs).

 

[bonzo75]

Good to hear. I might be able to ameliorate the issue by moving my speakers but my bass is great on my analog rig (and solid state DACs).

I really can't comment on the Kronos. I have heard their top of the line and love it. If I go TT (which is the only alternative to the Lampi IMO), Kronos will be a serious contender if I get it at a good price, which is unlikely.

That said, all my demos against sota SS, I thought Lampi was better on stand up bass, bass and slam.

 

[MadFloyd]

I really can't comment on the Kronos. I have heard their top of the line and love it. If I go TT (which is the only alternative to the Lampi IMO), Kronos will be a serious contender if I get it at a good price, which is unlikely.

That said, all my demos against sota SS, I thought Lampi was better on stand up bass, bass and slam.

Well that's interesting. Did you like the bass from the beginning or did it tighten up after a long period of break-in?

 

[bonzo75]

Well that's interesting. Did you like the bass from the beginning or did it tighten up after a long period of break-in?

I really can't say. My comparisons actually happened later. Also I just let it run continuously for ten days after I bought it, and before I bought it the UK distri had it for some days and he was burning it for me. Have you tried both your Viero and Shunyata cables on it? They might give different results on the bass.

Btw just got back from Bernard Haitink conducting Beethoven's 9th with the LSO at Barbican - awesome. What are your demo tracks?

Mine are Mussorgsky Pictures (Gnomus, Old castle, Bydlo) and Scheherezade second movement, both Fritz Reiner and Living Stereo. Also the Mahler 2 I mentioned. Bach cantata chorals and opera duets. Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances.

 

[bonzo75]

Also check your PCM bass on PCM, vs DSD

 

[sbo6]

Beautiful looking setup, bet it sounds great, congrats!

 

[Geardaddy]

Good to hear. I might be able to ameliorate the issue by moving my speakers but my bass is great on my analog rig (and solid state DACs).

some have noticed variability with bass quality of Lampi based on whether SS or tubed rectification was used for the power supply as well as output tubes used.

This is music I use to test standup bass: Jonas Hellborg ?– The Silent Life - Solo Bass 1990

This rec'd by Jeff Fritz (of Magico Q7 fame)....

 

[MadFloyd]

some have noticed variability with bass quality of Lampi based on whether SS or tubed rectification was used for the power supply as well as output tubes used.

This is music I use to test standup bass: Jonas Hellborg ?– The Silent Life - Solo Bass 1990

This rec'd by Jeff Fritz (of Magico Q7 fame)....

If you have any rectifier tube recommendations, I'm all ears!

 

[jap]

If you have any rectifier tube recommendations, I'm all ears!

Maybe a hearing aid adjustment would improve the bass quality.

 

[bonzo75]

some have noticed variability with bass quality of Lampi based on whether SS or tubed rectification was used for the power supply as well as output tubes used.

This is music I use to test standup bass: Jonas Hellborg ?– The Silent Life - Solo Bass 1990

This rec'd by Jeff Fritz (of Magico Q7 fame)....

So B7 has different rectification in the power supply? did not know that. Presuming mine is SS then

 

[Geardaddy]

So B7 has different rectification in the power supply? did not know that. Presuming mine is SS then

I think a majority are tube based. I know L produced a few units (not sure if they were 7s or not) with SS rectification. That would be a question for L or possibly Winson....

 

[Geardaddy]

If you have any rectifier tube recommendations, I'm all ears!

I have not been an OCD tube roller like some. Bonzo or Winson and others may have more extensive feedback. I am currently using smoked glass KenRad 6A3s along with 5U4G National Union NU Vaccuum Tube - Fat Bottle.....

 

[Geardaddy]

Maybe a hearing aid adjustment would improve the bass quality.

Funny stuff. Given the demographic of "audiophiles," our sonic universe is shrinking due to age related hearing loss. This stands in stark contrast to our bold, old testamentish pronouncements on equipment. Self-delusion at its finest. lol....

 

[bonzo75]

Funny stuff. Given the demographic of "audiophiles," our sonic universe is shrinking due to age related hearing loss. This stands in stark contrast to our bold, old testamentish pronouncements on equipment. Self-delusion at its finest. lol....

I am forty so everyone should listen to my recommendations?

 

[Geardaddy]

I am forty so everyone should listen to my recommendations?

Not really. You need a 20-30something female....

 

[wisnon]

I have not been an OCD tube roller like some. Bonzo or Winson and others may have more extensive feedback. I am currently using smoked glass KenRad 6A3s along with 5U4G National Union NU Vaccuum Tube - Fat Bottle.....

The 5U4g IS the tube rectification.

Only the Lite 7 has SS rectification and some early Level 2s.

Who is winson? LoL

 

[wisnon]

If you have any rectifier tube recommendations, I'm all ears!

http://www.tubemaze.info/sound-of-rectifier/

http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/tubes-valves/205895-tube-rectifiers-do-sound-different.html

Mercury rectis: http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/tubes-valves/183782-what-i-need-safe-use-mercury-rectifier.html

Massive data dump here: http://www.head-fi.org/t/694525/dub...eview-comparison-rectifer-tube-rolling-thread