[masterlogic]

Hi,  I'm going for the most liquid, lush, smooth, rich, thick sound possible
and am looking at these DACs

Concert Fidelity DAC-040
EAR Yoshino DAC 4
Synthesis Matrix
Audio Horizons TD 3.1
Audio Note 4.1 Kit
Lampizator (Big 6?)

Could anyone please share impressions of how they differ in sound?
Thanks!

[ltr317]

Hi,  I'm going for the most liquid, lush, smooth, rich, thick sound possible
and am looking at these DACs

Concert Fidelity DAC-040
EAR Yoshino DAC 4
Synthesis Matrix
Audio Horizons TD 3.1
Audio Note 4.1 Kit
Lampizator (Big 6?)

Could anyone please share impressions of how they differ in sound?
Thanks!

I've heard the EAR, Audio Note and Lampizator of those listed, and the Audio Note comes closest to your sonic preference.

[masterlogic]

Thanks!

Which level of Audio Note DACs did you hear, and were they the kits or from the factory?

Was the Lampizator a Level 6?

[ltr317]

Thanks!

Which level of Audio Note DACs did you hear, and were they the kits or from the factory?

Was the Lampizator a Level 6?

I've heard several AN DACs in the past six years, both kit and factory and all have a similar "house" sound.  As for the Lampizator, I heard the past two models but not the Level 6.  Both editions also had a "house" sound" so I doubt the latest level will sound significantly different in the tonal sense. 

[wisnon]

The Big 6 sounds very different from what I heard as it has a different chip.

I think you are mixing up Generations with models (levels).

[jhm731]

masterlogic,

You should include the Aesthetix Pandora, there a great deal on Agon:

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/da-converters-aesthetix-pandora-mint-reduced-to-sell-now-2013-09-19-digital-91362

[Gopher]

As for the Lampizator, I heard the past two models but not the Level 6.  Both editions also had a "house" sound" so I doubt the latest level will sound significantly different in the tonal sense.

You would be dead wrong.  I'm not sure if your're speaking of Levels or generations (you say latest levels) but I'll freely admit I didn't love Generation 3 at all, but Generation 4 is a whole new animal.  I am also one of 5 Big Six owners in this country and can tell you that the presentation is dramatically different.  Its not just more of the same thing. 

Its based on a NOS chip from the 1980s, is 16bit and every element of its presentation is different.  Bass, dynamics, image density, top to bottom purity even staging and positioning from perspective. 

You very well may not like it, but you can't make assumptions or extrapolations based on other things. 

[ltr317]

You would be dead wrong.  I'm not sure if your're speaking of Levels or generations (you say latest levels) but I'll freely admit I didn't love Generation 3 at all, but Generation 4 is a whole new animal.  I am also one of 5 Big Six owners in this country and can tell you that the presentation is dramatically different.  Its not just more of the same thing. 

Its based on a NOS chip from the 1980s, is 16bit and every element of its presentation is different.  Bass, dynamics, image density, top to bottom purity even staging and positioning from perspective. 

You very well may not like it, but you can't make assumptions or extrapolations based on other things.

You're making assumptions or extrapolations on what I heard since you weren't there, nor know of the equipment used.

[Gopher]

As for the Lampizator, I heard the past two models but not the Level 6.  Both editions also had a "house" sound" so I doubt the latest level will sound significantly different in the tonal sense.

I don't want to start a fight and I'm not saying you'll love it or hate it--just that they are very different.

[derik736]

I received my Lampizator Big Six DAC last friday so I can tell a little bit about it. I know Lampizator Dac very good since I had a chance to listen to quite a few, among them were L3, L3.8,L4, L5 (different generations) and last but not least the BIG SIX. Even though this particular unit is brand new with some medicore russian 6sn7 tubes, it sounds very different form other Lampi Dacs that I´ve heard. My unit wokrs with some old 16bit chip and copper Vcaps, USB and preamp all on board. I can´t believe how rich and saturated the sound is, it´s just completely different league that the L3.8  and L4 that I had before. I can´t imagine any other DAC that could be more "liquid, lush, smooth, rich, thick" than this one, not to mention what will happen if I swap the russiand 6sn7 tubes against my canadian Marconis.
Unfortunately I don´t know any other dac from your list but I highly recommend to give the Big Six a try, if you have any dealer in your area than go for it..

[masterlogic]

Derik,
Thanks so much for your recommendation!

I hope others will chime in about these DACs

[MtnHam]

It would seem that the Wavelength Cosecant and/or Crimson should be on the list.

[bonzo75]

Hi I found the L5 much better than the L4. Are you saying the L6 is much better than the L5?

[masterlogic]

I'm still hunting for a very romantic sounding DAC:)
Also looking at
Lampizator Level 7,
Jadis JS2 MkIII, and
Musica Pristina Transducer

[MtnHam]

Take note of comments made by recent purchasers of the Lumin NAS music server. It's incredible performance is said to be due to not using a computer/DAC connected via USB  or other means, but instead placing all that inside the box, under the total control of the designer. It beats any MAC/DAC combo, surpasses the very similar Linn Klimax ($18K) and rivals the $108K dCS stack! At $7200, it's a bargain.

[masterlogic]

The Transducer Network DAC also has an ethernet input:

http://www.musicapristina.com/transducer.aspx

[masterlogic]

Anybody here heard the Magnum Dynalab DACs?

http://positive-feedback.com/Issue67/magnum_807T.htm

[KnyazHM]

I also choose Tube DAC with transformer output.
Has anyone compared the EAR Yoshino and Audio Note?