Vortexjah Posted July 20, 2012 Posted July 20, 2012 (edited) I have scoured the net, and can't seem to find anyone doing a shootout between the two. The 'Part Time Audiophile' has done the comparison, and has noted that there are plus and minuses for both converters, but appearing to still favour the Lampi, but the DP777 still being extremely good. Has anyone done the comparison? I understand the USB implementation on the AMR is quite good ( tubed input, Tubed Spidif only) , how does the lampi USB implementation stack up? The lampi has a preamp add-on option, how does this stack up against the AMR DP 777 preamp? Anyother converters worth considering at this price point? Edited July 21, 2012 by Vortexjah
Grimmie Posted July 20, 2012 Posted July 20, 2012 Well I will shortly be the proud (I hope) owner of the 777, so if there is an SNA'er who has the Lampi4 here in Perth I would love to compare in a month or so once the unit is fully run-in. I most certainly did seriously consider buying the more expensive base model Lampi4 but to include most of the features that the AMR had took it way out of my budget.
Vortexjah Posted July 21, 2012 Author Posted July 21, 2012 Thanks Grimme. They both seem to be outstanding converters, but from a features stand point the DP777 seems to be the better buy. I have read that DP777 USB and spidif implementation is very good, one user getting rid of his $2800 sonicweld USB to Spidif Converter because it did not improve over the 777s internal USB. Ah yes, the burn in time, I have read at least 500 hrs, some users reporting keeps getting better up to the 1000hr mark. I'm still trying to decide to fork over the cash, and be happy with it as a long term investment, and not have to buy all these 'add ons' to get a better sound, or go with a safer choice and get an audio gd dac. like you, I would have to buy the 777 unheard.
Grimmie Posted July 21, 2012 Posted July 21, 2012 I agonised for far too long over which DAC or pre-amp to buy, but at least waiting for so long led me to this one which I hope I wont have the dreaded buyers remorse over.
Vortexjah Posted July 21, 2012 Author Posted July 21, 2012 I get buyers remorse all the time, it sucks, but I'm also an avid shopper:)
bzr Posted July 21, 2012 Posted July 21, 2012 Well I will shortly be the proud (I hope) owner of the 777, so if there is an SNA'er who has the Lampi4 here in Perth I would love to compare in a month or so once the unit is fully run-in. I most certainly did seriously consider buying the more expensive base model Lampi4 but to include most of the features that the AMR had took it way out of my budget. That is one that was on my shortlist. I'm starting to come across more people on the forums who are buying AMR gear & I haven't heard a bad report on it yet.
David A Posted July 21, 2012 Posted July 21, 2012 If you like tube dacs, you should also consider the Ayon Skylla 2 & Audio Note 4.1x balanced dac...both are superb. The Skylla 2 has a good 24/192USB, and if you're interested in a cdp with a good preamp section, you should check out the CD-5s. The pre in that player is very good & has a Japanese analogue volume control. But I also respect the two dacs you mentioned in your thread. We audiophiles are spoilt for choice! Here are a couple of links fyi - http://www.ayonaudio.com/products/cd-player-dac/dac/skylla-ii.html http://www.ayonaudio.com/products/cd-player-dac/cd-player/cd-5s.html http://www.audionote.co.uk/products/digital/dac_4.1x_01.shtml Cheers, Bodhi
Nada Posted July 21, 2012 Posted July 21, 2012 .......a safer choice and get an audio gd dac. like you, I would have to buy the 777 unheard. any chance you can ask for an in home trial of the 777 or Lampi or an MSB or PDX? otherwise you might want to consider some older but classic DAC's that have the advantage of a proven track record and second hand value with the bonus of not needing running in time it might be that newer high end DACs still dont surpass, for some users, the older great DACs that are now much more affordable
audiohifiaudio Posted July 28, 2013 Posted July 28, 2013 The MSB is in a class of it's own nor the lapizator 4 or the AMR comes close to the msb dacs. But the pricing is quite different as the msb is double or triple in pricing.
Audiobugged Posted July 28, 2013 Posted July 28, 2013 (edited) The MSB is in a class of it's own nor the lapizator 4 or the AMR comes close to the msb dacs. But the pricing is quite different as the msb is double or triple in pricing. But of course - classes are segregated based on price. Thank you for your analytical insights over the last 12 months (since previous last post in thread) Edited July 28, 2013 by Audiobugged
Willco Posted July 28, 2013 Posted July 28, 2013 The MSB is in a class of it's own nor the lapizator 4 or the AMR comes close to the msb dacs. But the pricing is quite different as the msb is double or triple in pricing. Sorry to disagree there--I've heard all mentioned and in my opinion the AMR is far the smoothest and "Analogue" sounding of all those products--I put the Lampi close second with the MSB too much of the "Didgititus Flavour" for Moi! Only one dudes version--YVMV--fair enough Willco 1
Audiobugged Posted July 28, 2013 Posted July 28, 2013 (edited) The MSB is in a class of it's own nor the lapizator 4 or the AMR comes close to the msb dacs. But the pricing is quite different as the msb is double or triple in pricing. Sorry to disagree there--I've heard all mentioned and in my opinion the AMR is far the smoothest and "Analogue" sounding of all those products--I put the Lampi close second with the MSB too much of the "Didgititus Flavour" for Moi! Only one dudes version--YVMV--fair enough Willco Thank you for sharing your findings in terms of your listening experience. I am actually in agreement with this as it mirrors my experience from the subjective perspective. I do feel that the Lampi and AMR are very close and the differences come down to taste. However, that is all subjective and very hard to quantify. Further discussion often results in claims and counterclaims, attracting fanbois and diy "experts" from the woodwork resulting in a locked thread in around 200-300 posts from here on... There is in fact NOTHING to disagree here. Audiohifiaudio was just sharing his analysis done over the last 12 months on the price difference between the dacs. His conclusion, based on running the prices through a detailed Microsoft Excel model was that the MSB dac belongs to a different price class "of its own" because it costs and I quote: "double or triple in pricing". This is OBJECTIVE analysis and is quantifiable. I would therefore agree that "double or triple" justifies being placed in a different price class. Much the same way as a Maybach is in a different price class from a BMW or Audi! A Morgan v8 is in a different price class from a Porsche Boxster! An hour with a silicone infused ex-penthouse pet costs more than with a newbie fresh faced... well you get the point. I urge patience over the next 12 months as out friend determines whether it is in fact double or triple, or possibly even "somewhere in between"! Fascinating analysis indeed. AB Edited July 28, 2013 by Audiobugged 2
Grimmie Posted July 28, 2013 Posted July 28, 2013 Is there anyone here in Perth that has Lampi that we could arrange a comparison some time, would make for an interesting GTG.
wis97non Posted July 29, 2013 Posted July 29, 2013 (edited) The yanks are buying up Lampis by the bucketloads now. I know of at least 12 US Dac orders in the last month and the prelim feedback on the Big6 Dac is stunning. To me the sweetspot is level4. The design is now optimised and locked. His GM70 amps are about to get a rave review. http://www.monoandstereo.com/2013/07/lampizator-gm-70-amplifier-video.html#more Poor lukasz is having a hard time keeping up with the increased demand! I feel gratified as I got my buddy to try a gen 4 after being only mildly pleased with the gen 3 and he flipped out and found 4 other buyers immediately and they auditioned to their friends and more orders. Now they have to hold back in order not to overwhelm Lukasz. Most of those guys want to trade up to L5 or Big 6... At least one the dacs sold off to make way for a L4 was an AMR. The thread is over at audiocircle... Lampizator gen 4, now we"re talking... Edited August 2, 2013 by wis97non
petng Posted July 29, 2013 Posted July 29, 2013 I just added a pair of Duelands into my Level 4 which Lukasz said were better than Jensens. Still burning them in.
henrysnark Posted July 30, 2013 Posted July 30, 2013 The love affair with my L5 continues.. Keep us posted re: the Duelands man... Interested in the margin of the improvement...
Nada Posted July 30, 2013 Posted July 30, 2013 Sorry to disagree there--I've heard all mentioned and in my opinion the AMR is far the smoothest and "Analogue" sounding of all those products--I put the Lampi close second with the MSB too much of the "Didgititus Flavour" for Moi! Only one dudes version--YVMV--fair enough Willco I also heard the AMR outclass the Lampi but in terms of an "Analogue" sounding DAC, the MSB Analogue DAC is aptly named and has a very different sound to former MSB models. 1
Audiobugged Posted July 30, 2013 Posted July 30, 2013 (edited) I think we've got at least one of each now... see how subjective this can be? It's like a thread on "I'm about to install an altar in our house. Which is the better deity - Jesus, Mohammed or Buddha? Hence the indisputable objective approach as espoused by AudioHifiAudio above - rank based on price. They are the best in their respective price classes, hence they don't really need to be compared sonically. The key is to think about the trouser bursting feeling you get as you tell your guests... Oh, that's a $20k dac (MSB ) as opposed to ... That's a $5k-ish dac (AMR)... Surely lady guests would subjectively equate the $20k+ MSB with an equally impressive trouser snake?!? I'd say that the Lampi & AMR designers have missed the whole point here. They should immediately raise prices to at least $30k to be considered seriously by the serious 'audiophile' or 'have fat wallet & wannabe taken seriously audiophile'. And at the same time rename their products... I mean DP-777? Level 4 g4? Wtf names? A liberal sprinkling of "Platinum" or "Diamond" or "Signature" would add to the cred considerably, especially for our typical Far Eastern "Wannabe audiophile with fat wallet and basic English" They get these terms as it comes through well on Google Translate! DP-777 doesn't. In fact, the only thing DP is normally associated with doesn't work well to AMR's favour..... Edited July 30, 2013 by Audiobugged
henrysnark Posted July 30, 2013 Posted July 30, 2013 In fact, the only thing DP is normally associated with doesn't work well to AMR's favour..... LOL Marketing department...win?
Audiobugged Posted July 30, 2013 Posted July 30, 2013 LOL Marketing department...win? Which would you think was a premium product that justifies a 30k Euro price tag? The AMR DP-777 Or The Lampi L4G5 Or The AMR Vanquish Signature Hermès Edition
wis97non Posted August 2, 2013 Posted August 2, 2013 LoL True. I guess the Big 6 is not much better in terms of cachet, but the SOUND!!!!!!
Audiobugged Posted August 2, 2013 Posted August 2, 2013 (edited) LoL True. I guess the Big 6 is not much better in terms of cachet, but the SOUND!!!!!! The SOUND?!?Well, I'm sorry but to me Big Six sounds like a Chinese triad district boss who works with Brother Seven and Nine Dragon Feng. Fans of the Young and Dangerous series might concur... Actually on reflecting further, Big Six IS Chinese! Cantonese literal translation Dai Luk. Edited August 2, 2013 by Audiobugged 2
strony Posted August 3, 2013 Posted August 3, 2013 The SOUND?!? Well, I'm sorry but to me Big Six sounds like a Chinese triad district boss who works with Brother Seven and Nine Dragon Feng. Fans of the Young and Dangerous series might concur... Actually on reflecting further, Big Six IS Chinese! Cantonese literal translation Dai Luk. Ian, you are on form
Audiobugged Posted August 3, 2013 Posted August 3, 2013 The SOUND?!? Well, I'm sorry but to me Big Six sounds like a Chinese triad district boss who works with Brother Seven and Nine Dragon Feng. Fans of the Young and Dangerous series might concur... Actually on reflecting further, Big Six IS Chinese! Cantonese literal translation Dai Luk. Ian, you are on form As always Andreas...
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