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Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Hi All.

Putting together a reference level system.
My Source is predominantly standard 16/44 played from a MacMini using iTunes and Amarra. Some of my music is purchased from iTunes and the rest is ripped from standard CD's.
For my tastes in music, my high def catalogues are still limited; so Redbook 16/44 will be my primary source for quite some time.

I'm not spending DCS or MSB money. But $15-20k retail is not out of the question.

Upsampling vs non-upsampling?
USB input vs SPDIF?

All opinions welcome.

And I know I need to hear them, but getting these ultra $$$ DAC's into your house for an audition ain't easy.

Looking for musical, emotional, engaging, accurate , with great dimension. Not looking for analytical and sterile.
mattnshilp
abedirov's avatar
abedirov
22 posts
 
Hi Matt,

I know, you are not fond of tubes, but look at this:
http://www.audioshark.org/lampizator-186/say-hello-new-lampizator-pacific-dac-12912.html
And it has an ethernet input, which is Roon ready!

If you at RMAF this week, please go to the Lampizator room and share your impressions if possible.

Cheers,
Aziz
klh007
313 posts
 
matt, just an FYI, AQUA just upped the ante on their Formula adding the xHD suffix, better USB interface and new algorithms for the ladder array.
mattnshilp OP
894 posts
 
I love tube stuff Aziz. I just chose to avoid tubes for my own personal system because I have a propensity to obsess about trying everything and would end up falling down the rabbit hole of tube rolling. I was quite impressed by the Golden Gate I heard years ago. I was not blown away by the Big 6 I heard years before that. 

Whats the price on the new design? 
abedirov's avatar
abedirov
22 posts
 
Not sure about the US price, Matt.  In Europe it starts from 22K Euro for a single-ended DAC without volume control.
mikelavigne
1,274 posts
 

as a former Lampi Golden Gate owner i did listen to the new Lampizator Pacific dac at the RMAF show this past weekend. i was impressed by it's greater clarity and more transparent and refined character. it plays at a higher level than the GG and will likely synergize in more systems.

at 22k euro's it's not cheap but at an attainable level.

and it's footprint is now conventional so it will fit into more racks better, and auto switches between dsd and pcm. it is not MQA compatible; that would not stop me or even slow me down choosing a dac (even though my MSB Select II has MQA I can take it or leave it).

it's one that must be considered as a contender. and you could buy it with one set of tubes and never think about it again. it does not need particular voicing to system fit like more colored dacs might.

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