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Author Topic: Lampi Amber vs. Audio-gd Reference 7.1  (Read 952 times)

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abernardi

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Lampi Amber vs. Audio-gd Reference 7.1
« on: April 09, 2015, 04:53:53 AM »
So here's the thing:  I really really love the Reference 7.1 in my speaker system.  I've heard the Master 7 at several meets and think it's also excellent.  I've also heard several Lampizator DACs at shows and they often show up in my favorite systems of those shows.  And of course Lampi fans are even more rabid than Audio-gd fans.   headbang headbang headbang
Anyway, so Lampizator has come out with this reasonably priced new DAC called Amber which supposedly gets you pretty close to a Level 4 and it does DSD.  My only real disappointment with my Ref 7.1 is no DSD.  The Amber is built around a Sabre chip.  Big red flag for me because I've only heard a few DACs that I can stand using that chip, not a big fan.  However, I hear it is possible to get good results with this chip, but so far I haven't been wowed by anything.

Has anyone heard this DAC?  Has anyone compared a Ref 7.1 or M7 to a Lampi?  Any thoughts?
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Greed

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Re: Lampi Amber vs. Audio-gd Reference 7.1
« Reply #1 on: April 09, 2015, 05:12:21 AM »
Have heard quite a few Lampi setups and all have been quite underwhelming. I've yet to hear the Big 7 which according to some takes it up a notch. Personally, if the Lampi sound is your cup of tea I would definitely consider buying used. There are a ton of them on Agon and the like for 50%+ off. I've seen a Level 4 go for $2200 lately.
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abernardi

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Re: Lampi Amber vs. Audio-gd Reference 7.1
« Reply #2 on: April 10, 2015, 01:03:06 AM »
AH! Finally some negative feedback on the Lampizator!  When all you hear are raves, it starts to sound like a cult following.  I need to find a way to spend some time with one, preferably in my system.
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Marvey

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Re: Lampi Amber vs. Audio-gd Reference 7.1
« Reply #3 on: April 10, 2015, 02:35:14 AM »
Oh, lots of lukewarm / negative feelings on the Lampi. OJNeg, Anax, and I have heard various Lampis. Tube output is great. The great tube output let's you heard how mediocre it sounds. Very delta-sigma sounding digital section. Treble on one Big 5s sounded quite strident. Another was had notable high-treble hashy crap. One Lampi 4 was nothing notable (since the 4 must sound no better than 5).

If you really want a Lampi, send me a random DAC, and I'll wire up a tube output for you. For the low low price of $2000 more. I'll call it the Eddie Current Marvizator. Actually, that would be too much. It would feel wrong to charge that much.
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abernardi

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Re: Lampi Amber vs. Audio-gd Reference 7.1
« Reply #4 on: April 10, 2015, 02:44:41 AM »
I don't know Marv, the Eddie Current Marvizator has a certain ring to it...
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