[joessportster]

OK, cool.

To clarify, this is your "new" system: PC directly into the Lampizator Amber 5 via USB; Coincident Statement linestage, and a pair of Williamson amps.

I took the Coincident out of the chain. PC directly into DAC VIa Curious Cable USB, DAC directly into Williamson amps using a Gabrial Gold interconnect, Speaker cables are GR Research clone of Kimber 12tc, Speakers are John Kalinowski Seas Bookshelves (Massive Bookshelves at 22 x 16 x 15 )

The Tubes in the DAC are 12au7, Ecc99, & 6x5............I dont honestly know what brand tubes are in it. They sealed the bottom & I have not decided fully on the DAC and figure "IF" I decide to sell It would move better if the seal were intact. I dont get emotionally attached to gear. If it does not please me I sell it in search of something better to my ears

I will investigate the Ember cable

[WGH]

I was unfamiliar with the John Kalinowski Seas Bookshelf speakers. I have SEAS drivers in my speakers and was wondering if their Exotic F8 full range driver's sound have the same precise, fast, revealing sound characteristics. Based on the linked review it seems they do.

http://www.tnt-audio.com/casse/seas_exotic_e.html

The builder wrote: "I used a 0.68 Jantzen ribbon inductor with a Mills 15 Ohm resistor. I initially used 12 Ohms ceramic resistors, but decided that reproduction was a bit too bright for my taste and changed them for the 15 Ohm resistors. Playing with these values will give you an opportunity to finetune the speakers to your taste."

I have always found that single driver speakers to be very coherent with a spooky ability to disappear.

[Early B.]

I took the Coincident out of the chain.

Put it back. I betcha $100 it sounds better with the Coincident.

[joessportster]

Put it back. I betcha $100 it sounds better with the Coincident.

I wont bet as hearing is so subjective. I would bet MANY would agree with you & honestly I likely will put it back in. BUT with the current set up if any addition / removal of cables, tubes or ? happens.  I think the shorter chain will be more telling of the results. Less gear makes it easier to discern differences IMHO

Now if I can get more than 1 hour of decent weather for a real listening session. Here in NC dealing with the clowns at duke energy. The slightest wind may take out power. I try to stay off the system when odds are great that we will lose power.

[joessportster]

Scored a Hapa Ember USB Cable last night off Ebay. Should see it next week some time. will compare to my Curious Cable. Hoping it might help that last little bit.

The Seas drivers are superb, i have owned & used several Lowthers, AER, Lii, Jordan, Omega, & many others. Too date the SEAS are by far my favorites. They Image like mad in the John K. cabinets. Bass is superb no REAL need for subs. Mine are barely broken in with maybe 250 hours. I bought them new and I built the cabinets based off Johns design I am very happy with them.  Last night at 2am I swapped in the pure copper Digital Amp Co. speaker wires and did not completely solve the issue at hand but it was late and I was tired so will have to see today if I get a better outlook. Might swap in some 807 tubes for the Russian 6p3s I have been running

[joessportster]

Preface this by stating I have never been a big fan of High Res files. I am basically content to listen to RedBook.......I started out with Vinyl and my Journey with Digital started out as 1 of necessity. Once you get used to having instant access to THOUSANDS of albums its hard to go back to Vinyl.  (Impossible for me, an Essential tremor prevents me from setting up a cartridge)

So that said. I want my digital to be as close to vinyl (analog) as I can afford. I like the Lampi Amber 5 but it still has that little bit of BITE that drives me away. I am not giving up yet. Today I landed an Audiophilleo ap1 with Pure Power.......I know it forces me to SPDIF (I am fine with that) From my past experiences with AP1 & PP it will basically KILL jitter & USB Noise down to nothing. So I hope to see the ap1 next week and will report back if that takes the Lampi over the top

I still refuse to pull the top case off and swap the stock 12au7 out. If the Lampi gets the 2 thumbs up by using the AP1, I will then start the tube rolling process.  Robert at Lampi NA  said I could swap tubes with no loss of Warranty, but I want to be able to show it has had no tampering with it at all should I have to part with it

Thanks to all that have chimed in with advice. I am sure I have some scratching there heads with my desired sound sig and sticking with RedBook

[Early B.]

Preface this by stating I have never been a big fan of High Res files. I am basically content to listen to RedBook.......

...I am sure I have some scratching there heads with my desired sound sig and sticking with RedBook

Nah. I roll with Redbook, too. High Res sounds a tad pristine. Real music is muddy.