I was wondering has anybody tried the SE outputs on a balanced amber? If so, how was the quality?
Don’t really have anything ideal to test it out myself, so figured I’d ask if anyone here has tried it…
Given an SE amber has the same circuit board in it half of it unpopulated I’d guess much like the lampizator DHT DAC’s that half the tube complement is unused in SE mode, so it probably sounds just like an SE Amber.
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I have been playing w/ my DDC’s on the B3. Thus far my preference continues to be direct from the streamer to the DAC via FTA Callisto USB. The DAC has a richness which leans out when the signal is cleaned up further through the DDC and a second cable is introduced.
Obviously this all means nothing, it’s my own personal preference using my particular equipment and cables but there IS a difference in the sound signature and it’s enough for me to continue to switch back and forth trying to find my personal preference.
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Love that cable. I hope the Baltic has been treating you well.
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Yes, i appreciate you asking. I too hope you are enjoying your new equipment. I have found a bit of comfort and satiation for the moment. I hope it lasts, increased prices of things across the board are starting to really annoy me and once i fully feel the pinch in my accounts I know I will be hunkering down for the long haul and I may have to cut myself off from the internet for a while to avoid temptations…
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When I asked LampizatorNA about sound quality differences between the SE and BAL outs on the Baltic this is what they said…
Single ended will sound just as good if going into a SE amp. Balanced is only better if the amp and or pre sounds better running balanced.
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That’s one expensive cable for sure. Any experience with cheaper alternatives to share?
I’ve tried a few USB cables that led up to that price point. Ultimately, the Callisto blew them all out of the water, depending on which characteristics you are looking for. It’s probably my most sound-substantial cable compared to all of my ICs and power cables. It’s only seconded by my speaker cables.
It is substantial enough that i demoed it in front of @NickMimi compared to a $300 dollar alternative. He could hear the difference within 10 seconds
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Yes, i have tried both more expensive and “ cheaper” USB cables. They work fine, and the FTA brand are absolutely not required for the DAC, it’s just that the DAC exhibits a certain richness in sound character w/ the FTA Callisto in particular that is pleasant. I have no idea why this happens, i need to try the FTA on a different DAC to see if the characteristic is applied universally to all products it is mated with 
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I personally don’t belong to the camp that believes USB cables matter if it’s short enough and not broken but am also part of the camp that says it’s your ears and wallet so happy for you that you liked it!
I don’t think @NickMimi did either, but you’ll probably have to hear it for yourself. There is very little point for us to try to convince or describe it either, but I will say USB has been one of the highest impacts, again, aside from my speaker cables.
Not saying you’re wrong. Maybe one day I’ll be convinced. Definitely have an open mind to it.
I also happen to have the most “untuned” set of ears on this entire forum. I officially have thousands invested in cbles and can’t hear a difference in power chords, RCA’s, XLR or speaker cables (I continue to try but fail regularly 
). BUT having said this, i CAN distinguish between certain USB cables on different DAC’s to include my Exogal Comet DAC. That unit is also partial to different USB cables. It’s a freaky experience and bothers me much since USB is the single cable i used to swear was the most useless to spend extra money on! 
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I’ll keep that in mind but next cable I purchase will be for my Susvara lol
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Heck, i was sooo stubborn about the USB cable that my dealer got so incredibly upset after i bought my Exogal and the matching amp for it that he sent me a Nordost tier2 USB cable for FREE because i has spent so much money on the combo he could not stand that i would not spend the last $1.5k for the cable to get the most out of the units. I swear, true story! 
. (Basically he forced me to try it to believe it )
wires/cables are a hard sell. They make zero sense until you hit a certain level in equipment and hearing abilities…(basically you need to have lost your mind to spend the kind of money these stupid things demand)
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Not speaking about the Calisto per se here but your experience mirrors my own. Speaker cables and USB cables have been easier for me to hear differences in. Power cables I’ve only heard a tangible difference in amps. I’ve struggled for interconnects but then again, I’ve made sure to not neglect them.
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agree, especially if you have usual German-power-grid (top-quality, for sure ;-). I may think something different in the US - but still since I’ve added Niagara/power filter into my chain, it was even than a bit better - yes, as the usual thing with any new gear, it could be 98% psychologically 
Where I’d seen the most difference as well: AES/EBU, S/PIDIF and for sure speaker cables. USB was for me always a no-go-area, like Bluetooth aptX.
I’d not the pleasure to see anything related to I2s…whenever this will get an vendor-agnostic standard!
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Dear fellows,
never had an Lampizator and @M0N also mentioned that he loves it (he is my nr1. trustworthy DAC-Reviewer, sorry don’t wanna sound like a groupie 
Any Amber 4 and Baltic 3 owner here?
Price-wise difference here in EU: €4.3k vs €7.5k
Some German-Lampizator owners I’d a chat with (no real-life listening), they have only the big ones (far beyond €20k) - not a focus in my current chain.
Also if it makes more sense to go to a higher pre-owned model they offer by themself?
PRE-OWNED | lampizator (lampizatorpoland.com)
Thx! 
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you can always send a mail to lampizator poland. its usually lukasz himself responding and in my experience he’s very friendly and helpful. There is usually more available than what’s mentioned online. my advice is to buy used…
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