LampiZator Pacific and SuperKomputer - Background and Initial Impressions

[audioguy3107]

Originally Posted by Weirdcuba

Existential crisis - the back up tubes I want are all back ordered/out of stock/etc. (they come from China). Now ... this virus thing is really getting to me.

Ha! First world problem huh? My friend Charles came back over yesterday to test a new piece of calibration equipment for JVC projectors......after a couple of hours he couldn't figure something out and was pretty ticked off. We sat there for a moment and were like......well, considering all that is going on in the world right now, sitting here in the fancy home cinema with a 4K HDR projector.......kind of felt a little guilty!

- Buck

[2fastdriving]

Jim, what kind of tubes do you need? Maybe someone here can help you.

[SL1800]

Jim congrats on the new dac!!

[SCAudiophile]

Originally Posted by Weirdcuba

Existential crisis - the back up tubes I want are all back ordered/out of stock/etc. (they come from China). Now ... this virus thing is really getting to me.

What tubes do you need? My friend with the Pacific tells me the Chinese tubes are second rate quality, don't sound as good and are overpriced. He mentioned Kron and EML, and to also talk to Andy at Vintage Tube Labs. Specifically, he mentioned KRon 5u4g and EML 5u4g rectifier tubes he has being among the best.

If you want to connect with my buddy, let me know. He has a long history owning and testing Lampi gear and is happy to help.

[Weirdcuba]

Thanks. I’m just looking for (back up) replacement tubes now. The replacements (recommended and originally installed by Lukasz himself) are shuguang 300B 98B mesh plates. Going to wait until I get in the room to move to the Kron’s and EMLs, which are highly recommended. With five different heater settings for various tubes, the possibilities are endless.

[SCAudiophile]

Originally Posted by Weirdcuba

Thanks. I’m just looking for (back up) replacement tubes now. The replacements (recommended and originally installed by Lukasz himself) are shuguang 300B 98B mesh plates. Going to wait until I get in the room to move to the Kron’s and EMLs, which are highly recommended. With five different heater settings for various tubes, the possibilities are endless.

Ok, sounds good, let me know if you want to connect. Interesting fyi, Lukasz also sent out the KRon 5u4g to my buddy when he moved up to the Pacific with a hearty recommendation. As an aside, one of the problems he faced with the Chinese PSVane 101 (d?) replicas is they did not sound anywhere as good as the KRon and the EML and the replicas burned out after a couple months even with their high cost.

FWIW...passing on advice when I relayed the situation you mentioned with supply and requested his advice.

[Weirdcuba]

Many thanks.

[Charles]

Jim, it's great to hear of your experience with the new gear. You have the speakers and amplification to get the most out of it, that's for sure. Congrats on your discovery! It's discoveries like yours that hopefully will result in others taking the chance and buy this gear.

____________________
Charles Updated System
Most recent updates: AQ Diamond USB replaces AQ Coffee; Wilson Audio Specialties Alexx replaced by Wilson Audio Specialties XVX Chronosonic
Amps: McIntosh 1.25KW’s (3) set on floor on custom made cultured marble slabs
Preamp and DAC: McIntosh D1100
Sources: McIntosh MCD1100 SACD player, MVP881 BR player, MVP851 DVD player, MR87 tuner, Marantz 510LV Laser Disc player, ASUS laptop USB (JRiver Media Center 23)
Speakers: Wilson Audio Specialties XVX Chronosonic
Sub-woofer: Wilson Audio Specialties Thor’s Hammer (1) horizontal lie and Wilson Watch Controller (abbr: WC)
Cables main system: Audioquest Wel Signature speaker cables and balanced IC (preamp to amps); Wel Signature AES/EBU balanced digital IC for CD playback; Audioquest Diamond optical (1) for tuner, (1) for BR player, and (1) for LD player for total of (3); Diamond USB cable; McIntosh MCT cable for SACD playback; Dragon power cords (5 HC cords and 3 source cords for total of 8); Thunder HC power cord for tuner; cables for DVD player not listed
Cables subwoofer system: Audioquest Redwood speaker cable (1); Wolf balanced subwoofer IC from WC to amp; Wind balanced IC from preamp to WC; Hurricane HC (2) and Dragon HC (1) power cords
Power conditioners: Audioquest Niagara 7000 (1) and Niagara 5000 (3); (4) dedicated 20-amp lines with no. 10 wire straight out of fuse box
Cabinet: Double Custom Woodwork & Design (CWD) solid walnut cabinet on large casters; holds all sources and preamp; also, Niagara 7000; 11 feet minimum distance from speakers
Acoustic Treatments: Room and Echo Tunes
AC: Dedicated to this room only, an ultra-high efficiency and quiet recently installed Ruud split system 3-ton heat pump.
Room (mancave): 40’L x 15.5’W A-frame; max ceiling height 8’ min 5’; wall within wall construction built of 2 x 6’s; built over garage with custom hardwood floor with gym seal with over 40 Lowes stiffened wooden I-beams supporting floor; complete isolation from rest of house