What did you do to your stereo rig today?

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  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,158
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    I’m not sure which ANK you’re rocking, but if it’s this one, that’s not comparing apples to apples.

    I’m not well versed with the older units, but I’m thinking that the 313 serial # sold for less than 1/2 of this one

    jyoo1pa42ixi.png

    treitz3 wrote: »
    Makes me wonder how they keep track of each unit...

    Tom

    Betcha it’s like a VIN # ... easy peasy
    AC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
    Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampizator Baltic 4 DAC
    Pre Cary SLP-05
    Power Rogue M180 Dark monos
    Mains Salk HT2-TL
    Rythmik F12
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,741
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    Level 5 gen 4 was around 6k msrp based on the reviews I read.

    Level 4 was around 4k
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,741
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    Keep in mind that ank link you used is for a diy kit.

    Zero dealer network, no advertising budget, two man show that works with audio note engineers.

    Lampizator has a full dealer network etc... Whole different cost overhead
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,158
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    Fair point . . . I must admit, I know next to nothing about Audio Note.
    I do know Koray @nostubestore.com claims his 6X5 rectifiers best the ank stock tubes (whatever ank uses, maybe EH or JJ, I dunno)

    https://www.nostubestore.com/search/label/6X5

    In my search down the Lampizator rabbit hole, I came across this ad claiming his serial #707 DAC was purchased in 2015
    It’s probably fair to say that the 2 box Lampi technology is a decade old.

    https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649938409-lampizator-big-7-dac-with-riccardo-kron-anniversary-special-edition-kr-audio-300b-and-5u4g-tube-more/

    The AN Kits are interesting, I’ll get my learn on 🧐
    AC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
    Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampizator Baltic 4 DAC
    Pre Cary SLP-05
    Power Rogue M180 Dark monos
    Mains Salk HT2-TL
    Rythmik F12
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,741
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    Ank provides tubes that prove they work, definitely nothing fancy.. 80 dollars total.

    ANK makes a fantastic product... As does lampizator!

    I definitely would like to hear a newer one like the big 7 or higher, but that's a substantial investment
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,442
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    The RTR NOS DACs by SW1X also look pretty nice B)
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,741
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    Wouldn't mind hearing that either haha
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,442
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    Make it happen, Captain!
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,357
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    30sqdane910c.png

    Well, it appears as if I am getting Trey's sloppy seconds. In this case? I don't mind. The "loser" between the fight on DAC's in Trey's system is coming my way sometime soon.

    I have spent more than I care to disclose recently going a completely different route to upgrade my NAP versus spending the dough on his ANK DAC. I will say this (and I have told him this many times), the ANK is the best sounding DAC I have personally heard sub 32K. It does things that other DAC's at that price range and less don't do.

    He did good with that DAC and that was the path I was gonna take. Then the Ethernet cable "thing" happened and I took a different path. While I am glad I did, that took me out for the meantime in getting the DAC of my choice (The ANK 5.1 with the quad core).

    So, I still wanted to get a "real" DAC for the streamer and the Marantz, so....here we are. Now to look for an appropriate USB cable. Any suggestions for something that does not have a sonic signature? Read, "Neutral" but offers great imaging/spatial locationality cues.

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,741
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    Coax cable
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • GlennDog
    GlennDog Posts: 3,158
    edited January 2023
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    What’s that tall drink of water that’s slightly right of center?

    I’m considering a KR 274B rectifier for my latest acquisition

    BTW ... CONGRATS! Looking forward to your impressions

    FWIW I like the WW USB Platinum Starlight 7 from LUMIN into Lampi. But thinking of trying one of the offerings from Final Touch Audio
    AC Regenerator PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
    Source Lumin U1 Mini into Lampizator Baltic 4 DAC
    Pre Cary SLP-05
    Power Rogue M180 Dark monos
    Mains Salk HT2-TL
    Rythmik F12
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,741
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    Yeah I don't believe the lampizator usb connection is an active connection versus just a place holder which apparently is common for the earlier models.

    The 5.1 uses a 5u4g rectifier or a 274b
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,357
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    I am thinking of Pink Faun for a USB cable. Many folks seem to like that. I don't know anyone here that has even so much as mentioned them...

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,442
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    I'm playing catch-up a bit here, but I'm thinking ANK = Audio Note Kit? Straight-up Audio Note products are not DIY. Am I on the right track here?
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,741
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    Ank does offer pro builds, which mine is by "Digital Pete" in flordia

    Audio note does not offer any of its actual products as a diy kit however thr actual products and the kits are based on similar designs.
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,741
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    xskcsjmcmxf1.jpg

    60k audionote level 5 DAC
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,357
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    ...only a cool double digit more in cost will get you this....

    pyql4yfbdl2o.png

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,741
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    Only bad **** people have duelund caps in their water cooled computer!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,357
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    t1aaj0q040ld.png

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,357
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    Duelund caps take VERY long time to break in, no?

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,741
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    Is that actually a dac or an audiophile computer?

    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,357
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    I report, you decide.

    https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/taiko-audio-sgm-extreme-the-crème-de-la-crème.27433/

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,741
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    Based on that link, it looks more like a server and streamer versus a dac.

    The build quality is impeccable however!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,442
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    VR3 wrote: »
    Ank does offer pro builds, which mine is by "Digital Pete" in flordia

    Audio note does not offer any of its actual products as a diy kit however thr actual products and the kits are based on similar designs.
    I've got a soldering iron and a DMM. Can I be "Digital Jody"? It kind of rolls off the tongue.
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,741
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    I do believe digital Pete is retiring so digital Jody may have an opportunity!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,357
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    Both you and I would like to hear one....!!!

    That's the plain and simple truth. Comparing it to what we and others on his forum have?

    It would be interesting...

    Honestly, from what I have read? Maybe 5% more. It's not like they are touting the best of the best with incredulous findings. BUT, yes, and here is a but........

    This is the Crème de la Crème of streaming and while I have never heard said product? Praise them like they are the Audio God because they are breaking through the threshold of streaming audio. Them projects they have planned and are currently in production? Holy crap Batman.

    You thought you were busy in the heyday?

    That's laughable. They have that going on and SO many more projects that's unfathomable....at the level they are playing/developing/engineering at.

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,741
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    It does alot more than I would need a streamer to do. I'm not so sure it could stream tidal any better than lumin or auralic, imo.

    As far as networking and such, I see huge strides there as that power supply and part selection is second to none. Considering that would be your source, so to speak for locally stored files... Could literally be everything!

    Although 20k for a top tier source isn't outrageous compared to what some gear cost...mundorf caps and duelund caps etc, lot of quality parts on display!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 20,357
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    In other words? Cutting edge technology.

    Beyond our current configurations/gear.....yet, they are now looking downstream. They understand.

    Good things come to those who wait. Unfortunately, you need to have a wallet that is 2 to 3 zeros more to get to where they are now. Technology will trickle down but it WILL take some time. We are benefiting from said technology already.

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,741
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    My biggest concern for a device like that would be resale value.

    Computers have an extremely short life span and are virtually worthless after a certain time period, say 5 years.

    I dig any and all trickle down tech though!
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • jdjohn
    jdjohn Posts: 3,442
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    From what I have read, many of the old RTR DAC chipsets are quite old.
    "This may not matter to you, but it does to me for various reasons, many of them illogical or irrational, but the vinyl hobby is not really logical or rational..." - member on Vinyl Engine
    "Sometimes I do what I want to do. The rest of the time, I do what I have to." - Cicero, in Gladiator
    Regarding collectibles: "It's not who gets it. It's who gets stuck with it." - Jimmy Fallon
    · Share on Facebook