Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Wow, what a treat.  Finally got to Matt's house (thanks Sam for driving)!  Wonderful room adn system guys.  It was a true treat for a guy like me to enjoy 'guy' time with two close friends and also listen to a serious system.  Got to enjoy time with the Lampy and then his Light Harmonic.  Changing to that Crystal interconnect put the soundstage in better position and just allowed the music to flow much freer.  We talk about cables and who difference they make.  For those doubters you need to go to Matt's house to listen.  

If you don't think even a basic interconnect will make a difference, then I can't take your thoughts seriously anymore, lol.  It was a true component upgrade.  It gave it a soundstage that the other didn't really have.  I get that when I went up in the Audioquest line and have heard similar with other cables.  Not all cables in someone's line will be great and price isn't always the factor.  Silver is HARD to work with (Steve will attest to that I'm sure) and most don't do it correctly.  When it's done right it's a holy cow moment for teh whole system.  

I thought the Lampy was nice sounding.  Not my cuppa, but tube guys seem to have a blast with it and it's a pretty box to boot.  Matt's Davinci took the system to level's above to my ears.  That takes nothing way from the Lampy. I don't know which one it was, nor the cost, but the Davinci lists for much more I'd think.  

My biggest take away is that I can't wait to get my www.thememoryplayer.com. I heard it in two systems yesterday and the last one was with Rockport Lyra's, the large Solution amps and the Behold preamp.  It has the Telos grounding system throughout and the Enklein power cables into the Absolair (Turkey) distributed power boxes. Heck, the master tapes playing on the modded and rebuilt Apex tape deck was SICK.  Also I enjoyed that Kronos TT set up.  

What a great day that turned out to be and the brotherhood of Matt and Sam was the main part of the day.  It was the Federation of the Jewish Audiophile Brotherhood! ;). 

Guys, I messed up. Saw a lot and wiht the MS, I can forget some details for sure.  It was the Elrod top power cords.  Look like a python swallowing a small animal, lol.

I just wanted to compliment the folks posting on this thread. No big squabbles, no endless posting the same theoretical complaints. (like seen in wire threads)Anyway, I am still very happy with my Marantz SA-10. All my use of it is as a DAC using a Toslink to my cheap $40 average cost five disc changers. Someone ask WTF why I use it that way? MY best response is think of the Marantz as a Ferrari. I can keep it in the garage all the time (at least the transport, and even the front lights can stay off while use as a DAC) and use my cheap old Ford for daily driver. But! I get to use 95% of the Ferrari goodness in the Ford!, every day. saving the Ferrari itself for those special days.I really like being able to load a machine and let it play five hours straight. More than replacing each disc every time.

*** Lampizator Big 7, gen 6 review ***

Ok. So I was treated to a taste of the Lampizator Big 7 generation 6 tube DAC. I had heard a generation 1, and owned a generation 1 Big 6. To say this is a different beast entirely is an understatement!!!  The first iterations were garage built, tube sounding, sort of big and warm and mushy. They offered signs of,” I’m gonna get better.... You just watch and see!” Well I did watch and see, with the current generation of Big 7, a super terrific Golden Gate, and now the Pacific I think these guys have established themselves and are going the distance! 

The case is beautifully built and wiring matches that level of craftsmanship. Detail oriented construction. Switches, plug receptacles and layout on the back are well thought out, stable and hold cables securely. I was a bit surprised at how light it was. With the size of the case, I expected it to be heavier. There is a knob on the back to select between different drive tubes and it’s click is secure and the indicator points directly at the proper label; no question as to what setting it’s on, and no knob jiggling. My version was single ended only. There is no sign of garage built anymore. This is a “manufactured” product. 

I was given a tasting of tubes but was motivated towards the Kronzilla 242’s and a 274b Chinese rectifier tube. After much playing I agreed these were the best of what they sent. As I learned later on, I think a better 274b would have made a difference, but thats ok. I’ll expand on that in the listening comments. 

I am at the point where my expectations for a DAC are not low. In fact, I’m quite demanding to be honest. My current references are world class and I have had many many through my doors. So...... As it was single ended I can’t comment on a direct apples to apples comparison. I don’t have an identical rca interconnect to my xlr; something I will have to rectify. I did use the same power cord. I will say that for a tube DAC the level of resolution and accuracy was impressive. I believe the into to be around $10k based on tubes and outputs. And I found its performance overall comparable to solid state dacs in the same price range. If you want the opportunity to adjust flavor by rolling tubes, this dac is a no brainer! Base was deep and taught, but there was a transitional mid to low base bloom that gave the music a sense of intimacy and warmth that some would definitely consider coloration. Mids and up were correct and engaging. No sign of ringing, sibilants, or exaggerated high frequencies made the performance a long listening session pleasure. I would not call it a detail monster, but what it provided was pleasurable and  I never felt it lacking in that regards. Trailing edges were sustained but not infinitely; Ive heard better at this price but nothing to complain about. Dynamics were punchy and provided impact and scale, while the DAC portrayed a proper sense of pace and rhythm overall. As I listened more, I felt it’s greatest flaw was that it was slow. Leading edges took too long and I felt like I was waiting for the music, if that makes sense. I wondered if that was a byproduct of the quality of the 274b rectifier tube; and Fred (the importer) agreed it may be contributing. I did not have the tube or opportunity to try a better 274b, but I sincerely believe it would be better with better rectification. It could be the power supply as well, or even a mismatch between my Shunyata power cord and the Lampy power supply. Trial and error would tell, but I didn’t have that opportunity. 

The DAC just left and I truly look foreword to Fred visiting in a few weeks with a Pacific DAC. he’s just got to get over his muscle tear. That’s what we old guys get for trying to prove ourselves to our young kids on Fathers Day! We push ourselves, they still win; and we hurt ourselves. Time to pass the baton Fred. Hope you fee better soon. Motrin and heat packs. And listen to some of that great Lampy gear you have!!!

Thanks Matt.  As you know I totally agree with what you heard.  What surprised me is that tubes are inherently faster than solid state devices.  I was pretty surprised that it didn't sound faster, but like a nice Harbeth, it was really musical.