So the thing about the formula s XLR in is that all it does is drop the negative pin from the signal, it doesn’t actively convert bal to se with a circuit nor passively with a transformer, which leads to it ignoring 1/2 the dac if said dac is truly differential, the formula is a single ended amp and the XLR on them is only for convenience in this case.
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Right I think in the video Abyss has about the Formula S they say it drops pin 2 or something like that. I just got the xlr inputs for convenience and compatibility with cables I have.
Are you saying that if I had got the Formula S with the single ended in and the black box that I could take full advantage of a balanced dac?
No, but it would be better off than just running se out of the dac, still wouldn’t be ideal and still a bit of quality loss but would be an overall better experience than just se straight out imo (depending on the dac).
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Ok. I guess the one downside of buying the Formula S with the xlr inputs is that I have to get a dac with xlr outs. So with the Amber 3 for example I have to pay a bit more to get the xlr outs when I don’t need a fully balanced dac since the Formula S is single ended. Would be nice if the inputs on the Formula S would be user replaceable but I doubt it.
You can just use XLR to RCA adapters like these
Or a cheaper option (but the cardas are nice). Or just go for cables natively terminated in male RCA to male XLR
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I thought you weren’t supposed to go rca (dac) to xlr (amp). Or is that only an issue when the device with the xlr plugs is actually balanced?
It’s actually safe even if it was balanced from what I know (the main thing you don’t want to do is adapt a balanced output to single ended for a headphone or iem, but for inputs I think it’s fine), but given that the input isn’t balanced, it’s perfectly safe
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Ok thanks for clarifying. Now I don’t feel so bad about getting the xlr inputs on the amp and the short cardas xlr to rca adapters look really nice if I end up with something like the Amber 3
As promised, I would post here to share my feedback on Lampizator. I’ve had an Amber 3 in the past and currently use a Golden Gate R2R. Here are my copied impressions of that upgrade. I hope it helps and let me know if you have any questions regarding any of the two DACs.
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I should preface by saying I prioritize presentation and timbre the most. My goal is to be able to close my eyes and pretend I am transported there as a form of escapism. I like speed, attack, detail, and the rest, but presentation and timbre is top priority.
Next, I want to stress that Amber 3 is an amazing DAC that “sets the foundation for things to come.” Amber was the DAC that made me go, “okay, I cannot unhear these things from now on.” It would have been my endgame DAC if I wasn’t fortunate enough to land a good used offer that I couldn’t pass up.
I love the presentation of Amber. The stage is very wide and appropriately deep. It stresses on timbre to give you such a sense of realism to all of the voices and instruments. You can easily imagine following the movement of lips and all of that. You can also quickly tell a violin from a viola from a cello or even a dreadnaught vs. a classical guitar. You can almost feel the twang of the guitar and imagine what the strings look like and how they are vibrating.
Going up to the GG, the largest improvements I got were stage depth, imaging, lots and lots of microdynamics and how detail is resolved.
Now, the outline around every voice and instrument is much sharper. The stage is deeper with accurate imaging. The DAC added a ton of room information. In regards to my preface earlier, now when I close my eyes, I can completely imagine what the stage/room looks like. I can imagine where the sound is bouncing from and “walk up to any of the instruments.” There is a lot of detail, but the decay and resolve is done so well. It is not quick just to be quick, but more importantly realistically resolved.
I’ll stop here for now before I write more of a novella compared to what I’ve done so far. I want to end by saying Amber is NOT devoid of the same traits. GG just resolves and handles it with more delicacy.
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Thanks for your thoughts on those two dacs. I think the Amber 3 makes more sense to me than the Baltic or any of their other dacs. I’m not a big fan of tubes and I like how they are more built in with the Amber compared to being exposed on their other dacs. Obviously you can still tube roll the Amber but it just feels to me like a more plug and play experience than the Baltic.
I asked on another audio forum about Lampizator and some concerns were raised with regards to build quality and reliability. I think the build quality concerns have been addressed in all of the newer versions as I don’t really see any issues with the internals compared to some old picture that was posted. However are the reliability concerns accurate or not? This is just one person who said this compared to a forum full of positive impressions here of the dacs so it’s hard to know whether it’s something to be concerned about or not.
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The older lampi (and I mean older) did have issues, but I really haven’t heard of any reliability issues whatsoever with new models, what specifically was failing for them?
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Not a single issue with my amber 3, i am the third owner i think, it has been shipped across the country at least once and once half way around the world. I only turn it off if a storm is coming and it still works 100%.
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They didn’t say so who knows it very well could have been a much older model that had an issue. All they said is that they do repairs on audio equipment and they had to fix a few of them in the past 3 years. So, nothing specific but good to hear that none of you have had any lampizator quality issues
There have been probably at least 5 Amber 3 owners on here.
As far as I know outside an issue with USB firmware which was user addressable, no ones had a failure.
I liked mine a lot when I had it, it was a tough call on which DAC to let go when I sold it,
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Is there a reason why? A distributor for audiobyte in the US was recommending it over the Terminator and wavelight but they are likely biased so I’m not sure if I can trust that.
I think right now my list has narrowed down and I am considering:
Amber 3
Rockna Wavelight
Audiobyte hydra and vox (maybe)
XIAudio Sagra
I’m still considering the Holo May but I have a question for you. You mentioned the May SE outputs are not the best. If I used the xlr out of the Holo May into the xlr inputs of the Formula S, would that be better than just using the SE out of the May or about the same since the Formula S drops part of the balanced signal? Or would something weird like May xlr → ampsandsound black box xlr to rca → to rca to xlr adapters → Formula S sound/perform better?
So I’d agree I’d likely take it over the terminator, but my reasoning for the rockna favor is because I think the audiobyte tends to go for more a clean, clear, and forward sound overall, it tends to prioritize tightness, resolution, and clarity, but in doing so imo sacrifices some timbre quality, has a more lean signature, presents less organically, and is a bit too soft leaning imo (also smaller stage with no depth advantage, and slightly weaker dynamics). So basically I think you might enjoy the signature of the wavelight more, along with the fact that the wavelight is a bit more technically capable and also more refined as well, to me it just sounds like a bit higher tier dac (although the audiobyte stack does have more features)
It would be the same, you are ignoring half the dac either way
I personally think it would, but it’s also still a quality hit (less than running cut in half to get se, but still not full performance), but also introduces extra coloration due to the transformers. Generally I found the a&s black box to add more body and weight so better density, more smoothness, wider but more vague stage, and also better punch but a bit less control. @bmn1251 can also chime in on how he feels the box affects the sound of his dac. But I do think that you could potentially consider a May if you bought the box (but I still think you would be better off with the wavelight or amber either way, but it can make the May potentially doable)
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Out of curiosity, what are your hesitation with tubes?
Ok, definitely sounds like I would prefer the sound of the Rockna Wavelight so will prioritize that on my list compared to the Audiobyte stuff.
And thanks for commenting on the May. With Kitsune Hifi increasing the price at least for US customers it makes the May less appealing in comparison to things like the Wavelight and Amber 3. Also I don’t really want to get it if the Formula S won’t be able to take advantage of the full dac performance.
Also I reached out to Abyss and they said that the Sagra dac is the best they’ve heard under 10k when paired with the Formula S and Powerman. The only other recommendation they gave me is the DCS Bartok which is outside my budget by a lot. I’m not sure I believe what they say in terms of besting dacs under 10k but I do like the idea of buying another product from them that pairs well with the Formula S, Powerman, and 1266 so am giving it more consideration than I was previously.
It’s more that I just feel it’s another rabbit hole to go down and I don’t like the idea of having a tube fail on me or become microphonic or something like that.
My first amp was a Schiit Lyr v1 and I never tried tube rolling with it but as the tubes aged I got replacement ones from Schiit and they varied in quality a lot. Some would hiss out of the box or ring or just behave in not ideal ways. Reflecting back on this I think this was more an issue with Schiit back then and I should just give tubes a shot again. I was looking at the wa33 yesterday so it’s not that I will not go for tubes it’s just that it’s a little bit intimidating for me.
While it does have great synergy with the rest of the xi stack, I do think the dacs you are looking at are a step ahead, but it wouldn’t be a bad pick
Man there’s so many other dacs id consider at that price range personally
Makes sense, you can’t go wrong with it
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