What would happen if they weren’t hot swappable? Like on any other piece of tube gear?
I suspect in most lower powered tube circuits, the only real risks are destroying the tube (no soft start) with a sudden in rush of current, and as power goes up there is a chance you kill something else in the circuit.
I wouldn’t try it on anything with the volume turned up that’s a recipe for killing a downstream device.
It’s just nice they mention it’s safe in the manual, I’ve never seen another tube device manufacturer even mention it.
3 Likes
I honestly fear turning on tube anything without an attached load. Ill leave the hot swapping to others.
4 Likes
Has anyone had the Amber 4 up and running and can fill us in on sq and imaging?
4 Likes
https://www.lampizatorpoland.com/kopia-technology-dac
I wonder if something like this flips the older signatures closer to that of the newer dacs/horizon. Or if for something like the GA, if the tubes that worked well for the previous engine now more align with what was reported as working well on the horizon.
In general i also wonder if the engine is just a component, a board or the whole darn dac. Or just depends.
Hmmm, maybe warranty factors in as well like with other lampi trade ins and upgrades.
4 Likes
at Lampi the engine is the name for the DAC chip they use for a given model. I think the idea was to push the importance away from the DAC tech and focus on the implementation as it rightfully should be.
1 Like
I have been a few weeks without my Baltic 3 in my main system. In its place i have been using an Alpha DAC reference doing extensive critical listening w/ various amplifiers and my usual 4 main speakers, Omega, Philharmonic, Klipsch and Falcon acoustics.
The Alpha DAC in its newest variation has been extensively reviewed by M0N, he has given us a great description of its abilities, the Baltic3 from Lampizator is less capable in its technicalities but has an absolutely more musical sound reproduction/quality so it stays in its place in my main system for now.
I will use the Alpha in my smaller systems and desktop to mess around with. I love what it does but I don’t necessarily want that level of detail retrieval and ability all the time nor when I’m simply trying to relax with my music. It’s almost too audiophile in its abilities…
Anyway, this current tube combo in the B3 looks so cool I wanted to post a picture 
7 Likes
what are those on your tubes called? are they also tube dampeners?
1 Like
The wires on the “horns” of my tube are simply part of an adaptor to allow me to use the tube in a socket it was not meant for.
I actually want to pick up a few tube dampers, Tube Dampers – Herbie's Audio Lab
But have been procrastinating and spending my money elsewhere lately.
2 Likes
@bmn1251 noticed you said you have the amber 4. How’s that working out for you? You haven’t heard the amber 3, by any chance?
1 Like
this is my first Lampi. And have only had it with the MZ3 and vice versa, so its hard to say what it does lol, I will say that the pairing sounds fantastic considering the tier they are at.
8 Likes
I have an even older lampi + lta pairing (L4G5 and MZ2) and can agree that they sound fantastic together.
Eventually I will move up the lines… but I’m in no rush.
9 Likes
One thing I have learned is not to rush lol
5 Likes
Hello,
A possible door opens for me to buy an Amber 3 with preamp or a Dac level 4 on Lampizator’s webside.
I don’t know if the units would be available as the website is not up to date.
The level 4 Dac would cost $2000.00. Features only one Rca output.
The Amber 3 with preamp would cost $2800 approx with 2 Rca outputs which would be great but slightly over budget.
Another Amber 3 without preamp is priceless, and with one Rca output.
They all have usb and coax input.
All 3 would replace my Singxer Sda 2 and would be an upgrade to the Feliks Euforia.
The question now is what should I look for in a Level 4 Dac and Amber 3?
Price wise it’s absolutely ok for me except that the Amber 3 with preamp would be slightly over budget, the question is also do I need it at all?
So far I have always done well without it.
Any possible suggestions and thanks in advance.
If you’re going to use efficient hps I’d go for the preamp since the amber 3 does run hot. And to me it sounds best on hi-gain (not sure if the pre-amp versions have the lo-hi switch). You could use inexpensive passive pre’s to attenuate, but I’m all for simple as possible if I can help it. But if you’ve never had a problem with volume play then save the money. I don’t know how different the level 4 is to the amber 3 though, sound-wise…
2 Likes
Hello,
Thank you for the feedback.
I’m inclined to agree with you about the preamp.
I also prefer to connect the dac directly to the amp.
I meant the Level 4 Dac not the Amber 4.
I haven’t found much to read about the Amber 4.
But it is also attractive.
I will wait for Lukasz to answer.
Do you knw what generation the Level 4 is?
Unfortunately not, the pictures don’t show anything.
Could be Gen 4 or 5, probably.
Personally I do NOT like having volume control in my DAC, I deal with it, and sometimes with some combinations of gear it sounds just fine but I have always found it a hindrance and to affect gain on my amplifiers.
I find volume control in the DAC in my own experience a hindrance and it is simply NOT my preference. I do own at least 3 DAC’s that use it. It does not make me use them any less they just require more setup work on my part and I add further complications to systems that don’t need the added attenuation ability
3 Likes
In my case at the moment my DAC has volume control, my integrated can’t do pre duties and my desktop monitors don’t have volume control. So my monitors can only be used directly from the DAC and if it didn’t have it I couldn’t use these components without another piece.
1 Like