Nice system!

lak April 23, 2018 20:36

Congrats on the purchase, I hope it meets your expectations!

In my experience,there are some things the 2a3 does better than the 45 in amps, like the macro-dynamics and thrust. But for tonality, pureness, and mid-range, to my ears there's no comparison. With that said, I've never tried the NOS 2a3's or the EML 2a3's so take my comments with a grain of salt. Maybe Lukasz or one of the Lamp guys can offer some advice.

I think you made a great choice, and for the L7 to come stock with the world renown EML 45 is really awesome! I wouldn't worry about heat, both these tubes run pretty warm compared to the big 300b's and 845's.

I would love to roll in different caps at some time just to compare. Let me know how the Jupiter's sound. I thought the Jensen's sounded great too in the L4.

Sounds like your L7 will be fully decked out, that's really cool. Maybe someday I will source some Yamamoto teflon sockets, those are really sweet and high quality. I haven't used any expensive fuses like the Synergistic, but felt the Create Audio fuse made a worthwhile difference ($10 shipped on Ebay). But I've heard from several folks that I trust say that the Quantum fuses are definitely worth the coin. Go for it and report back!

shawbros3 June 11, 2014 18:27

Thanks for the detailed answer. I will be getting a 7 in the not too distant future. I was hemming and hawing about 2A3 versus 45 and am excited about being able to choose. I have chosen to go with the EML solid plate for now although they also make a 2A3. It runs hotter though and I am not sure what to make of that. I am also forgoing the Duelunds in favor of the new Jupiter caps. Per Rob Reich's rec, I am getting these gucci Italian teflon tube sockets along with an upgraded IEC. Have you tried aftermarket fuses? I am fan of the Synergistic quantum fuses....

agear June 10, 2014 21:07

Sorry for the delay Agear, as you can see no one ever posts to my system thread, it's been almost half a year since the last one!

I currently run the Big 7 (one box) Lamp DAC. Mine has a switch that enables the DAC to operate with the 2a3 or 45 tube. It came with the 2a3's because at the time the 45's were out of stock. These Lamp DACs require lots of break-in, most likely largely due to the big Duelund caps. In my experience the sound didn't fully open up until 500+ hours. I know that is pretty extreme, but to my ears that was the reality.

The Big 7 is no different. I could tell when I first fired her up that it was going to be another long ride. The stage was smaller than the Big 6 and the sound was a bit flat and constrictive. I have a healthy stash of 45's, but decided to keep running her with the 2a3's in place 24-7. I listened for progress daily, but the improvements were slow. After 100+ hours I heard more depth and decay in the music, which are some of the more prominent characteristics of the Lamp house sound. But still the sound didn't grab me emotionally yet, the connection was missing. The night before the Newport Audio show, I decided to throw in my National Union 45 ST pair just for fun.

This tube change really threw me for a loop. My sound was transformed. The tone, decay, depth, vocals, everything just sounded so much livelier and full of life. I was finally drawn into the music, this was exactly what I was waiting to hear from the Big 7. With more break-in, I could only imagine how much better it could get.

At the Newport show, Lukasz gave me a pair of Emission Labs 45 Solid Plates to take home. I am trying the EML's in the Big 7 now and will soon provide some commentary comparing them to the different 45 NOS tubes I used...

45 ST - National Union, RCA Cunninghams, Tung-Sol
245 RCA Globes

Happy Listening!

shawbros3 June 10, 2014 17:29

How is the L7 and what can you share on tube rolling (45s specifically)....?

agear June 04, 2014 17:08

Shawbros, what dac is actually in-house now?

agear May 30, 2014 00:52

The fact that your focus has shifted to music enjoyment rather than analytical assessment of the sound is a very good development. I suspect you system is every bit as satisfying as mine at the very least.

charles1dad January 15, 2014 19:06

Charles1dad,

I didn't mean to insinuate that you thought the Yamamoto equaled the Lampizator level 7. I was just merely trying to say that both have the ability to convey music with deep emotion and it says a lot about the Yamamoto's prowess since its so much more affordable than the higher level Lamps.

That's pretty cool that your friend is going to get a Lamp. Finally you get to hear one in your own system, which is always the best way to kill the curiosity. Let me know how it goes!

I'm not sure my system is playing at the high level you are accustomed to, but I will say that I now just listen to my music instead of trying to find things wrong with it...

shawbros3 January 15, 2014 05:44

I believe that the sound your system is providing is truly convincing as you've put it together very wisely. I suspect that I'd simply love listening to music via your system. Organic, holistic, realism, emotion etc. These are the ultimate objectives to strive for music in your home.
Charles,

charles1dad January 12, 2014 22:23

Shawbros3,
Wow! That is such a generous offer, thanks very much. My good friend Jwm who went to the show with me has ordered the level 5. Lukasz said he'll get it in 2 weeks and will eventually bring to my home for a good listen.
I never said the Yamamoto equals the Lampizator level 7. The Yamamoto is deeply involving and conveys much emotion and music's beauty and passion.

The Lampizator could possibly take these desirable qualities even further perhaps. I totally agree with you in that Shigeki Yamamoto is an artist who's blessed with wonderful ears. He's able to get such natural beauty from his excellent but under appreciated DAC. Adding the Duelund CAST was the proverbial icing on the cake. Despite 3 full days of hearing ultra High End systems at CES I couldn't wait to get home to listen to my system.

There's a difference between high level audiophile hifi and pure natural music presentation, I'm completed in the camp of the latter category.
Lower power high quality tube amplifiers with good high efficiency speakers is the best combination for my upmost joy and satisfaction long
term. I'm really looking forward to hearing my friend's Lampizator in both our systems.
Charles,

charles1dad January 12, 2014 22:08

Charles1dad,

I'm happy you were able to hear the Lampizator sound and meet Lukasz. I had a good feeling that the "house" sound would be sweet to your ears. I've only tried level 4 and 6 and they were both sounded different, so I'm sure the level 7 is another awesome sounding DAC. I also have Duelands in my Big Six and although I did prefer the sound of the Jensens in my level 4 (just so holographic - unmatched 3D), the Duelands have microcope level resolving power and the best bass.

That Yamamoto DAC must be pretty special if it sounds as good as the the level 7 Lampizator DAC, Shigeki-san is a smart man too, but I'd rather call him an artist. If you ever want to swap DACs for awhile, just let me know, the offer stands as you've been very helpful for sure.

My Melody preamp also uses DHT tubes and I love the sound! At this point I think I'm completely happy, maybe a few more tweaks here and there to correct grounding and RFI/EMI residuals but what I'm hearing now is truly convincing.

Happy Listening...

shawbros3 January 12, 2014 20:49

Shawbros3, If it were only as easy to switch rooms as to switch tubes! HA
I am in the same predicament. I am also in the 300B camp, so things could be worse. Enjoy, as I am :)

isochronism January 12, 2014 00:32

Shawbros3,
I met the builder of your Lampizator DAC this week in Las Vegas, he was friendly and very forthcoming. I'm impressed with his knowledge and attitude, he's one smart man. If I weren't so pleased with my Yamamoto DAC (with Duelund CAST capacitors added) I sure would be after his DAC. The level 7 with DHT tubes directly coupled to the DAC chip and Duelund CAST output caps is right up my alley(I have a DHT line stage and amplifier). I'd imagine that your Lampizator sounds wonderful!
Charles,

charles1dad January 11, 2014 23:38

Hi Shawbros3,
It wonderful to hear that the EML XLS were a good match with your system,
it can be risky taking advice from a stranger. I glad these tubes were a
successful addition.
By the way I agree with you concerning the Sistrum platforms. They are
very effective and definitely improve the sound quality in the direction of
more naturalness.
Charles,

charles1dad January 11, 2014 01:26

Thanks Dan. I agree, the cool thing about this hobby is the willingness of folks to help out. Charles was the one that compared my Sophia's to his EML's and I went with his recommendation. I know our systems are vastly different, but at least we shared the same amp and he highly values naturalness and emotional pull from a system, so it was an easy gamble for me which paid off big.

I just took a look at your system, wow, it must sound pretty spectacular. Congratulations on your successful journey! If I was to make a change to my system it would be getting a pair of horns. There's just something about a good horn sound that gives me goosebumps. Like when a magician says, "open sesame", that's how I feel about horns, it just lets the the music out magically and the dynamics can't be touched by conventional drivers, at least in my experience. Too bad my listening room is too small to realize a horns true potential...

Happy Listening!

shawbros3 January 10, 2014 03:07

Welcome to the EML 300B XLS club, and again, thanks to Charles for his recommendation, as that is how I learned of the XLS's, too.

My small world is much better with great sounding music, now is the best time, due to considered positive changes. Those changes come from learning, due to the valued help of others.

Congratulations, and enjoy your fine system.
Regards,
Dan

islandmandan January 09, 2014 00:37

I added a few things to my system which really made a marked improvement.

Sistrum SP3 stands - more focus and better dynamics

EML 300b XLS tubes - improvements across the board, more robust sound and super dynamic, isn't as warm as the Sophia's but definitely more true to the music

PC server running Windows 2012 Server - running in minimal server mode with Jriver/Jplay using Audioplile Optimizer tweaks. This machine sounds much better than my old Windows 8 server which I thought was excellent already. The overall tone is more natural and the noise floor is extremely low now. I can hear those little subtle nuances that were masked before and music just sounds incredibly CLEAN.

Thanks again to Charles1dad for his killer recommendations! I'm totally stoked by what I'm hearing now...

shawbros3 January 08, 2014 20:04

I totally agree with your comment on Shigeki-san. Talk about beauty of tone at its best, for me there's an ease of flow that infects all of his creations.

My Big Six has Dueland CAST capacitors and I'm patiently waiting for them to settle down. It's been over 200+ hours and I'm still hearing some major peaks and valleys. I do hear some promise as the resolution is now the best I've had so far, but the "pull" factor and musicality is not there yet. My L4/G4 Lamp (Jensen Caps)was more musical and involving with an uncanny 3D-ness to the presentation, just a tad bit too polite and relaxed (candy-coated) with some genres of music. I'm still hopeful the Big Six can turn the corner and better suit my personal tastes.

shawbros3 September 23, 2013 18:55

I believe the fuse is 3 amp slow blow but check amp back panel fuse holder to be sure. I adore the Yamamoto DAC , it went from "very good" to superb/ sublime level when I added the Duelund CAST capacitors. Shigeki Yamamoto just has a natural ability to create components that get to the core of musical beauty and soul. I know the Duelund is too expensive for him to implement at his targeted market price point. For me it was 450.00 well spend (understatement) putting them in this special DAC.
I have used the Sophie Royal Princess in the Franks and they were really good! But for very high value-performance ratio the EML XLS is tough to beat.
Your Lamp-Melody-Frankenstein is very well thought out and has to sound devine, again congratulations.
Charles,

charles1dad September 23, 2013 17:32

Thanks Abruce, your system must sound killer and I wish I could have a King's chair in my space, unfortunately it's a pretty small listening area and shared with my family.

Charles,

Thanks for the kind words. I do believe my system sounds natural, and these speakers do a great job at making music sound real. The Super V's aren't the last word in accuracy or imaging, but the open baffle design sounds less forced to my ears than conventional box speakers. I also prefer open baffle bass, it just sounds more textured and realistic.

I've actually followed your system thread and your rig must sound out of this world and I think your passion has just as much to do with the beautiful sound than the system components.

I heard the Franks (MKI) at a friends house a long time ago and immediately heard the magic and left very impressed. I was looking to replace my Yamamoto A06-3 (4 watts) with something that could be on par sonically with a bit more headroom. In came the Frankensteins...

The Frankensteins sound very natural and transparent, have great tone and weight. I lost some beauty and "sex appeal" with female vocals in the switch, but gained more dynamics, bass, and headroom. Shigeki-san really knows how to make his amps sound different than the competition. The Yamamoto amps IMHO are vocal champs, nothing I have heard in my house can beat them in this regard. I see you know a bit about the Yamamoto sound as well, that's one DAC I would love to hear in the future.

I have the stock Shuguang 300b tubes and Sophia Princess Mesh tubes. My friend owned the MKII twice and he liked the Black Treasures and EML's a lot, but in his system said the synergy with the Sophia's reigned supreme. Those Takatsuki tubes are supposed to be the holy grail of the 300b world, wow, you are a lucky camper!

Yes, I also like the 101D tube. I was thinking about the Coincident line-stage, but opted for the Melody preamp to gain remote control volume. It's a great preamp, and is the only one I have heard that can trace the "swells" in vocals giving voices a dynamic quality which is very appealing.

Thanks for the tip on the stands and fuses! What value fuse does it use?

Happy Listening!

shawbros3 September 23, 2013 16:58

Hi Shawbros3,
This system must make beautiful music and sound natural and realistic.
We share the same Coincident Frankenstein amplifiers (you have
impeccable taste!). I've read nothing but good things about the Lampizator
DAC and I imagine your speakers convey your wonderful upstream
components, congratulations. How did you happen to settle on the
Frankenstein?

I use the Takatsuki and the EML XLS 300b, what 300b are you using?
I notice your preamp uses the 101d tube as does my Coincident line stage,
this DHT tube is very special in my opinion. I just love what it does for music reproduction.
Two friendly tips regarding the Frankenstein if I may,
1, Star Sound Sistrum or their Apprentice stands for the Frankenstein
(makes an excellent amplifier sound even better)
2, Synergistic Research Quantum fuse is a definite improvement over the
stock fuse (needs about 5 days of burn in).You will enjoy your fine system for many years I predict.

Charles,

charles1dad September 22, 2013 20:09

Beautiful System

abruce September 22, 2013 16:31