Doesn’t the amp have a balanced input?
Ah so when you order, you can specify what inputs you want (at least you can when you order the amber 3 alone). The first 2 are predetermined for you as USB and RCA spdif, but you get to choose the last 2. I’m sure if you contacted them when buying they would let you customize all the inputs to your liking if you didn’t want usb or something and wanted to replace it. Your options are usb, rca spdif, bnc spdif, aes/ebu, and toslink (but don’t get toslink unless you absolutely need it lol). This is regardless of if you get the single ended or balanced version
Totally misread (thought you were talking about inputs not outputs my bad), yes the amp has a balanced in, although I’m not actually sure if you get the balanced or single ended amber, the z10 is internally single ended so it wouldn’t matter too much so I’d assume in the package they sell the single ended not balanced version because balanced would add another grand in the cost and I don’t think it would add much meaningful on this specific chain
Yeah I’m not really concerned about balanced or not, just the fact that I’d be able to use all the inputs. Maybe a simple adapter for my CD or cassette player (the least quality sources) would do just fine.
Also I’ve been noting you do not like spdif lol. I’m running an rPi 3 and wondering if the USB is good enough on it. I do have a topping D10s which can do usb->spdif conversion. Wondering if you think spdif is worth it comparatively. Or would upgrading the rPi power supply be a better solution?
Also, I’m really just commenting to keep this thread active. Wish more people had things to say about spacial 
So with the cd player you can either use it’s analog out into the z10, or you can use it’s digital out to bypass it’s internal dac and use the nicer dac inside the lampizator, so you can connect either way. For the cassette you would just go into the z10.
The Z10 has 4 rca inputs which should be able to accommodate all you need assuming you connect some of the stuff you have like the tv, rpi, perhaps cdt to the lampizator digitally, you should be able to have enough inputs to accommodate everything. If you don’t, a decent rca switchbox is a solid option
Spdif is great, I just strongly dislike toslink/optical spdif lol. With the lampizators I do feel usb has an edge (doesn’t mean that’s the case with other dacs), but if you already have a source that outputs a quality spdif signal that’s also great. I’d personally just use usb straight to the dac instead of including the topping because the usb inside the lampi is going to better than the topping (although if you got a nicer ddc that would change). If you wanted a nice start out streamer than I’d suggest grabbing something like an allo usbridge signature player or sonore microrendu as those are somewhat pi based streamers that have better quality usb out than a typical rpi regardless of psu imo (and adding a nice psu to those is great too). Just make sure to mention you would be using a usb streamer when getting your lampizator so they can use the usb driver that works with that.
Perhaps @don can be convinced into trying a pair lol
Edit: taken to pm
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I want to a likely will eventually start with that LTA trade in. @Snooze might beat me to the Spatials though lol.
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@ericg this quick update is for you and it is in reference to the Spatial Audio M4 triode master open baffle speakers @dB_Cooper was talking about.
Good reading material here: Spatial Audio Hologram M4 Triode Master Loudspeakers
And here: Spatial Audio M4 Triode Master Speaker Review - HomeTheaterHifi.com
I only managed a short while playing the speakers, i tried them w/ 6 wpc and 100 wpc. 1 solid state and 1 tube amp. Lampi B3 was DAC used.
They positioned very easily in my room, plenty of space around them w/ my listening position at 7ft on the triangle.
The speakers exhibited a very “natural”, relaxed sound. Zero extra emphasis anywhere and they have bass, they have very good quality bass with texture, snap and depth. The bass surprised me, it’s not club rocking but in a smaller room than mine i can see it being satisfying for many a listener. My subwoofers were very easy to integrate and for my tastes required barely a twitch of settings to settle in w/ harmony. They do not lack in quality top end, it has great detail without any sharpness. They make models w/ tweeters for those who require that extra level beyond what these provide but for me at no point was i disappointed in the treble. The midrange is where the magic happens w/ these speakers and it will not leave you lacking.
Great soundstage in width, depth and height with details spread within the circle of performance well enough that you feel their presence in the space and when you close your eyes you should have no problem visualizing the performers.
Despite the fact that they are 12ohm, and it is less than what the manufacturer recommends, these WILL perform w as little as 1 really good watt, i assure you and i will prove it in the next few days/weeks w/ pictures included. They are impressive speakers, not the top of the pack, and a bit older, but made w/ top quality components, above and beyond what is usually found at their price point.
Very satisfactory, they will play well in smaller rooms, they were built with them in mind. At some point, i promise I will drag them upstairs to my small room and try them out with 1.75 wpc monoblocks i have sitting there just waiting for me to get off my fat lazy butt 
Gratuitous sexy shots:
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Thanks for the review! They sound like something that I would enjoy very much. I can’t wait to hear them when @dB_Cooper get them.
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Hey @dB_Cooper I finally got the Spatial’s up into the smaller room to play w/ them properly. I’m still stupefied at how a pair of speakers mounted onto an open baffle can re-produce such beautiful music 
First of all, and I’m assuming it is the smaller size of the room and how hard I have them toed in, they are pretty energetic on the top end. It’s good energy and reminds me that I may never actually choose to own super high-end speakers, their extra abilities in the top end and detail retrieval would be wasted on me, i simply don’t require nor desire more than what a decently good speaker can provide. (Famous last words 
)
They have really good bass and haven’t faltered yet on any tracks. Let’s be clear in making the distinction in good quality bass and pressurizing a room w/ bass energy. Their low end energy is impressive, especially considering there is NO box, a subwoofer or 2 is still required if you are a big fan of music that usually pressurizes a room in its low end presence. They play low but I’m NOT worried about the neighbors complaining about me rattling picture frames off their walls at any point this evening.
They are impressive in their ability to play well with the lowest power wattage. I have used completely inappropriate South American and Russian Rap to mess w/ the speakers playing off 2.3 watts (I’m so gonna miss this amp😢) and they are absolutely fun and satiating. They are not gonna knock frames off walls but damn, it’s so very hard not to be impressed by two planks of wood doing so much!
I swapped out to 12 wpc amp a bit later on in my listening session and had to actually turn back the gain on the amp, i just didn’t need/require the extra volume.
I absolutely adore their ability to “disappear” in the soundstage and minimally isolate on many tracks or even full albums. If you are on the edge about trying out open baffles and your music requirements are not all over the place, i can recommend stepping away from high power box speakers for some folks, they offer a really pleasing signature alternative 
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From what I’ve read, they don’t mind being closer to wall, but they need space in the back. you’ve got them pretty wide there, what do they measure center to center? I’ve got 9’ 2" wall to wall and my Omegas are sitting 5’ 7" center to center and my ears are roughly 6’ 6" from the center of the driver.
Looking forward to hearing them but it sounds like I’ll have to really play with them as I would not have expected that placement you wound up with. What’s your small room, 12 by 12?
@db_Cooper …No, don’t mind my placement. They are simply in the exact spot the Heresy speakers were in. They work well with less toe and closer together, I have tried them thus so in the big room. I simply did not feel like moving the Omegas to accommodate more appropriate placement in the room 
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@dB_Cooper , i actually hope you dislike the Spatial Audio Triode Masters so I can fully purchase your half and add them to my hoard eventually…. Despite the fact that they are 12ohm and under 100db sensitive, they take very well to low power and allow me to satiate the need i have to play w/ real fleawatts under 6 wpc. They are also particularly easy to move around, their size is just right. 
.
I don’t know what we’re gonna stumble across and drunkenly purchase next but it’s gotta be damn special w/ stupid levels of performance. I need to stress my various front ends and these simply oblige me and sound incredible and to my tastes…No stress here
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Send the Triode my way and you guys can try this - Charney Audio Maestro Horns with Omega RS7 Drivers For Sale - US Audio Mart 
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@ericg those look like they belong in a cheap gaudy brothel. They better sounds like angels singing in harmony because they look like sin.
10 to 20 watts is their sweet spot. I think we can keep increasing our initial investment by $750, it’s painless and in four cycles we’d be buying some serious high end gear if we focus on used bargains.
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BTW, I just remembered, that guy reached out to me when I was selling my Mojo V2 SE and he offered to do a trade and even offered to deliver the speakers to my house since I couldn’t fit those in my car.
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I figure as long as we can squeeze them through your doorway, we’re good… hehe, I’ll hold onto the Suburban if for no other reason to have a vehicle we can comfortably move speakers in…that can be our “break check”… if they don’t fit in the Suburban, we shoudln’t purchase them. 
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I think @M0N has one of his cars basically for its ability to move any gear you can imagine
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@Snooze and @don i have not “seen” 
either of you around lately…
did either of you ever make the move to open baffle speakers? 
.
I’m personally very surprised at just how much i have been enjoying my own 
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Sorry, Nick. I’ve been pretty happy with what I had so I had less reason to come around. I was really set on open baffle but I just don’t got the room to make open baffles song 
also life update: I’m moving to Philly in August! But also that means back to an apartment and even less room for open baffles. What I am eyeing is the Phillharmonic BMR monitors…
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Congratulations on the upcoming move, if i’m any where near Philly i always stop by and visit @dB_Cooper ! He has done so much with a decent sized closet, patience and great choices of equipment, you must take some time to listen to his set-up, it’s stupidly impressive for an apartment 
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