Lampizator Level 4 Generation 5

I finished documenting my thoughts on the Yggdrasil (Y) earlier today, here:

https://forums.naimaudio.com/topic/yggdrasil

The Lampizator (L) is going to be a pain, why?

The L reminds me so much of my Bel Canto 3.5vb (BC), but with the timbre and assertion of the Y. It goes higher and deeper, as does the BC, but improves in the bass by being more tuneful.

Easy then, just buy it.

Well, no. Whilst the L is more like the Y, the Y still shades the L in the mids. Also, while the bass is excellent, it is perhaps a little over enthusiastic. At times it reminds me of a LP12!

The L does present extra detail, but not as readily as the Y; however, I suspect this is because its signature is so close to the BC, and so I am used to the detail that renders.

In terms of the soundstage I would say that the L is slightly larger than the Y, but not as well focused. I don't find this distracting as, although I do enjoy a very focused 3D image, I do recognise it is a technical manifestation of the recording engineer. Live performances I go to do not have pinpoint imaging.

In terms of the areas I am seeking to address:

>Small number of tracks/albums with hard sibilants (e.g. Tarzan)
L – Largely replicates the BC, but is slightly reduced, e.g.:
Tarzan – Still sharper than I would like, but not as often.
Simon & Garfunkle – Better than the BC, not as good as the Y.
 
>Cymbals being splashy & hard
L – Issue gone. treble is as extended as the BC, and is not recessed as it is with the Y.
 
>General feeling of edge
L – Issue substantially reduced, almost gone. In fact, perhaps better than the Y.

The problem is that the L is 2nd hand. I may have to make a decision on Monday. I am not sure which I prefer, the Y or the L; and, I would like to listen to the Border Patrol DAC.

Decisions.

M

Mr Underhill posted:

Continuing my quest to find out whether a change of DAC can assist me with certain aspects of my system that I would like to change. I now know the answer to that question is YES. Nothing minor about what I heard with the Schiit Yggdrasil,

(DS(?) & Valves) vs (DS and SS.)

Box arrived yesterday - made a very positive impression for two hours before a dinner party, I'll post some thoughts later today.

M

Would you be so kind as to let me know your current system? I'm looking at the Yssagdriasillyname DAC as a possible replacement for my Alpha. 

Thanks.

Hi Kevin,

If you look at the Yggdrasil thread (link above) I have pasted in a diagram.

M

Having thought about this I am going to decline.

This is undoubtedly a step up on the Bel Canto, and overall equals the Yggdrasil - but, it has the same issues as the BC, jut in musically nicer packaging.

The L4 Lampizator is a Delta-Sigma DAC but with many of the mid-range qualities of an R2R DAC; spoken like an expert having listened to a grand total of ONE R2R DAC ....

M

I would caution about concentrating too much on particular albums as I would have done myself in the past only to find out it was the original recording or subsequent mastering that was the issue. 

And then there's the room/speaker interaction which I mention as I've never thought of the Joshua Tree as sibilant which I think you mention on the Y thread. 

Your insight into these DACs is fascinating, it seems by a large the calorie count is the same with slightly different flavours. 

.sjb

Hi SJB,

I've been listening to a lot of varied music. The Lampizator is sounding better and better, especially with standard res. material; making my decision more and more difficult.

WRT the calorie count: The Bel Canto is not up to the Yggy and Lampi. The Lampizator is currently pulling ahead of the Yggy for me. I was listening to a slew of pop, including The Beatles and The Kinks; really very good. I listened to the DuPre Elgar Cello Concerto, through my BC it was accurate but lacked timbre and insight, this improved through the Yggy and is better again via the Lampi.

M

Are these two DACs at the same price point?

Only as the Lampi is 2nd hand.

M

Lampizator:

This is an excellent DAC. Having listened to it for three days I prefer it to the Yggdrasil. However, the Y does seem to be just a bit more open. The Lampizator appears to mask a bit of the detail from the music, but boy does it get timbre.

So, why not just buy it ......I suppose I want to have my cake and eat it too.

I feel I really do need to listen to the Border Patrol DAC: R2R, NOS with valve rectification.

M