My take on your query:
The Amber is a very good DAC.
The Lampi Level 4 is a great DAC.
Cliched, but the L4 is just in another league.
I liked the Amber.
I love the G5 L4.
It's easily worth what it takes to get there.
The L4 could do well as an ultimate destination- if there is
such a thing in this avocation/obsession. Without going into
any of the audiophile minutia, this DAC really does sound
like music. I can and often do listen through it all day
long.
I've been a die-hard vinylphile and digital-derider for the
last 20 years. I repeatedly ended up disappointed in digital
despite expending quite a bit of time, money and effort in
the attempt to get it to make music. I'd revisit
periodically to give it another go, then get back to analog
to get my music fix.
This time it's been very different. Since I'll be relocating
in the next year to slightly smaller digs, I've actually
allowed myself to consider the possibility of doing it
without the turntable, phono pre and about a thousand pounds
of LPs. I'd have considered the thought heresy on top of
blasphemy just months ago.
I've been an active audiophile for about 40 years. My
Audiogon feedback of 1155, among other things, backs that
up. Ha! Just to say, I take this stuff fairly seriously and
have acquired substantial knowledge and skill along the way.
After too many DACs to count (5 in the last 2 years) I've
found one that does the elusive "IT" for me.
