Only those listed in this thread minus the TJ 2A3 as one died. Which is a shame as I liked them quite a bit.
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Only those listed in this thread minus the TJ 2A3 as one died. Which is a shame as I liked them quite a bit.
The KR PX4 is insane.
Switching from VT-52 to PX4 blows the soundstage wide open to wall perimeter defying levels and dishes up a wealth of mid range detail I have never heard before.
Bass is also surprisingly weighty, full and detailed.
I'm really not sure how it is doing it but I suspect phase and frequency response anomalies are responsible. But maybe not. Applying EQ to tone down the mid and highs doesn't really seem to stop the detail digging as much as you would expect. Perplexing.
A note to Jerry: if you thought my system was highly resolving, you should hear this. It is NUTCASE.
I had a Lampizator EML Special Edition 45 in the system for a few hours, but it definitely sounded a lot more "normal" than this.
I've owned this DAC for a long time now, and this thing really is quite a shock to listen to. You never really know this DAC which is what makes it such a pleasure to own.
So if your in for a dose of forensics, large soundstage with clear placement of images, and some weighty, very well resolved bass, this would appear to be the ticket.
It isn't really a valve to relax with. VT-52 will definitely tone everything down a notch, for instance i.e. collapse the soundstage, drop the level of detail, warm things up a bit, and produce a less awesome bass. But that is no bad thing. It's all about what sort of mood your in at the time, I think.
EDIT: the PX4 also majors on speed. Things seem to happen extremely quickly WRT transients.
Some might enjoy this as there are a few Lampi owners out there. I've just posted it.
I'm not advocating spending this much on a DAC in any way, shape or form. Unless you are extremely wealthy I'd judge it to be a mistake. Anyway, the man speaks, for 48 minutes, so you have to be pretty fanatical to want to watch it all.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=V0DttTjJ5Y8
My god what is this thread doing with 73K hits? I haven't looked at it for ages. Far out.
Anyway, been playing with a few new valves in my now extensively modified Lampizator. It now uses active triode loading in the shape of a 6N6P, and a 5U4G rectifier (I'm using a Chatham 5R4WGB). The two 6X5 rectifiers are now gone.
I have also had some huge Jupiter copper foil caps installed in the output stage, which I have to say sound fabulous. I have two sets of RCA jacks and can switch between those and the Duelands.
So here's the valves I've been assessing.
https://jgz1la.db.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none
From left to right:
KR 300B Ricardo Kron edition
Marconi PX4 on adaptors bought from ebay to make them fit into UX4 sockets
EML Lampizator 6th Anniversary Special 45
KR 242
KR PX25
and a gratuitous shot of the system they are being assessed in, mainly because I really like the way the sunlight falls on the left speaker. Had to be worth a post
https://jqz1la.db.files.1drv.com/y4m...&cropmode=none
I had to send the KR 300B RK back due to a manufacturing issue. I am glad I did as this pair sounds quite markedly better and also quite different. Which is freakin' curious, since the fault was simply due to mica not touching the glass to prevent microphony like it should.
Will post some thoughts about all apart from the Marconi PX4 soonish. I'm keeping that one secret, just to tease:D
Looking great Justin. Massive panels those
Heard some Lampizator kit today and it made an impression.
What was it? The DACs themselves are interesting as they all vary in sound depending on how they were built and what valves they have in them. DACs on the same level vary, especially over time. Different caps, different circuits etc etc.
Mine is now at level "doesn't exist", I would say. It doesn't correspond to anything in the current line up.
BTW I don't own that batch of valves, the PX25, 242 and EML 45s are on loan from a GG owner.
Have another pic:) Note XiangSheng in front of the monoblock.
I still love it. It is my "reality reset" DAC, meaning I return to it just to see how it compares with the Lampi. Stops me getting carried away.
While a Lampi is fun it is an expensive toy, especially considering that the price of even just those RK 300Bs is 11 times the price of the Xiang.
Sobering thought and it shows just how great the Xiang VFM is.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ec9be62ea3.jpg