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Lyngdorf TDAI-3400

Well, after reading all the rave reviews of the Lyngdorf TDAI-2170 both here and other places, I decided to order a TDAI-3400 for myself.  I must admit I am still skeptical that such a diminutive piece of equipment can sound better than the Primaluna Dialogue Premium HP tube amp weighing more than 50 lbs, but I have been so intrigued by everything I have read I simply had to pull the trigger. 
I just unboxed it today, hooked everything up, and am listening to it for a while before setting up Room Perfect. 
I really want to hear the what the amp sounds like as-is for a bit to understand it better. 
First impressions:  Without Room Perfect it sounds like very nice solid state amps I've owned in the past, but to be honest, I don't find the sound to be particularly moving.  I moved to tubes after years of solid state, and I swore I would never go back.  That is where I'm coming from.  I should also add that I always try to keep an open mind.  While my initial take on it might sound like I don't like it, I hope folks just read this as me being as honest as possible about what I hear.  I know the tendency when buying new gear is to want so badly to love it in order to justify the expense that it's easy to fool oneself into believing it's an improvement over what you had before, even when it's not.  Of course I really want it to be as mind blowing as it has been built up in my mind to be, but if it's not I am OK with simply moving back to what I have liked so far.   
I have only been playing records through it so far.  Analog makes up 98% of my listening so that's where I am starting with it.  I have a nice CD transport that I will connect to it in the next day or so just to hear the DAC in the unit.  I will also experiment with playing files from USB sticks, computer audio from my MacBook Pro, and whatever else I decide.  I am not prepared to purchase a music server just yet, but it's something I have thought about for a while.  
My system:  speakers are Harbeth Monitor 40.1's.  Turntable is an SME 20/2 with SME IV.iv tonearm and Kiseki Purple Heart cartridge, fed to a Parasound JC-3+ phono preamp.  Power conditioner is Audioqest Niagara 7000.  CD transport is a Wadia 8.  
I will report back as I have more time to experiment and let the amp break in.  

128x128snackeyp

Showing 15 responses by grannyring

grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,436 posts
 
When I used my Lyngdorf with no room correction it sounded fine and good in a conventional sort of way. A good music maker, but when I ran RP I was smiling big.  Next to my former TRL Dude preamp I have stuck with the Lyngdorf for a relatively long time for me 🙂.  It’s still staying put, but I may extract a tad more out of mine with additional mods. 
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,436 posts
 
You have not heard it yet. Break in is a must and that will take some 200-300 hours. At least 100 hours before she blooms and opens up.

- run Room Perfect....big improvement and what is so special about that piece.

- don’t turn the unit off. Leave it on 24/7. No stand by, but fully on. You can allow this in your display options. She really sounds most musical after being on 12 hours. No worries as it draws less watts than a light bulb and stays cool.

- make sure you do not use another dac. Use the 3400 only for best sound.

- USB input sounds the best

- she likes a decent cord and conditioner

Report back after this. Right now you really have not heard the unit. I know these units well and break in and keeping it on are vitally important for body, bloom and musicality. Room Perfect takes it to another level. Enjoy as your patience will be rewarded. Feel free to contact me should you have any RP questions. I had the 40.1s with the Lyngdorf and after burn in, staying on, and Room Perfect they were a great match. Room Perfect is the game changer in this piece and what separated it from the gaggle of SS and tube separates I owned in the past.

Remember the 3400 is nearly a complete system change and getting the most out of it will take time and effort. To just plop a new “system” in place ahead of the speakers changes a great deal and you will no doubt have to look at other things now. She does like a good power cord and conditioning.  I wish I could view your virtual system for more info on your source and cabling. 
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,436 posts
 
The unit sounds best when not using an external dac, most of the time, because there is no need for the added cables, complexity and longer signal paths. The 3400 really shines when used to take advantage of its design, short signal paths and inherent synergy. Now that is the case with most dacs, however I am sure some big dollar ones with great cabling, conditioning etc.. would sound fantastic also. With diligence and patience one can arrive at great sound with the 3400 using several different paths.   
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,436 posts
 
Make sure you are using the correct xlr jack on the back of the unit. Is the signal loud enough to be picked up by the mic? If the mic is bad the dealer will contact Lyngdorf and they will overnight one. 


grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,436 posts
 
Good food for you! You are right that you need to follow the instructions and shoot for at least a 97% room reading before stopping. The only way your room will be correctly understood and seen is my following those various mic placements in the instructions. Keep it fully on and now you are in business ✌️
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,436 posts
 
Yikes! Very sorry to hear that. I have had great service with very fast response and shipping. Perhaps your dealer can help? 
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,436 posts
 
Very happpy for you and enjoy! I sold off almost $18,000 worth of tube separates and cables for my 2170 a couple of years ago and my sound improved. Great units!
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,436 posts
 
@waltersalas 

I just PM’d you as I have an idea or two for you.  Making what amounts to a system change,  less the speakers,  will take some time to fine tune to reach your sonic goals such as more midrange presence and intimacy.  I have done it, but it took me a year or so.  Carefully chosen tweaks and cabling will deliver the tube like mids you want.  Certainly so close that you will be satisfied. You already know these things take time to fine tune.  

I sure hope Lyngdorf has a good answer for @jcacopo.  Frustrating to have a new piece and not be able to sort out an issue so one can listen peacefully.  
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,436 posts
 
I would say you need to look at the RP instructions again and follow them very carefully.  Set the speakers up to sound the very best they can in your space without RP.  Then you run RP.

It may take a little time to become more expert in using RP.  Losing all the highs is never something that should happen with a properly run RP set up. Something was not set up properly.  Also make sure you are using the Focus position setting along with Neutral.  You may have engaged one of the sound filters beyond neutral by accident. 
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,436 posts
 
First you need to use cabling noted for natural unforced sound. Cabling that has great midrange bloom and meat on the bones weight.  Cabling that has natural tone and serves up details with smooth and warm personality.  No silver.  No silver over copper.  Cables made from Duelund tinned and stranded copper wire in cotton is ideal.  Absolutely ideal. Yes, I make such cables. Other cables also fit this bill such as Cerious Tech. 

I good power cord and balanced power conditioner. Stay away from silver power cords and too much shielding. I am a big fan of balanced isolation transformers in front of the Lyngdorf. These help deliver a full bodied and natural sound quality.  

Keep the unit on as it sounds best after being on some 12 hours.  Fully on....not in standby. 

Run room correction to at least 98 percent room reading. 

I did some internal mods to mine that really brought out the intimacy and realism. I won’t go into that here as it is not something many would do with warranty issues etc,... 


grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,436 posts
 
The sound quality after RC is applied is far better in my room.  Not just the bass. Seems your over generalized comment is perhaps flawed. Many owners find the post RC sound quality to be superior top to bottom. Far fewer don’t. Have you owned a 2170 or 3400 and used it for an extended time in your room? Do you have first hand experience in your room? The RC used by Lyngdorf is proprietary and state of the art.  Over generalizations don’t help here. 
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,436 posts
 
@emcdade.....That’s like saying a new piece of gear, room treatment or cabling that improves your sound is only because one did not like the sound without the new addition in the first place.  That is not true and again an over generalization. 
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,436 posts
 
@bjesien 
Sorry your experience does not match many happy owners and reviewers. Not sure why your post is so negative and attacking of me and other happy owners who have as much or considerably more experience and knowledge than you. Too bad you went there. 

You should realize by now that no piece of gear will ever, ever, please all audiophiles. So many factors lead to differing outcomes that I could write a short book on it.  Proper system set up, gear and synergy, room synergy and realities, break in, small tweaks, listener hearing and preferences, cabling, and on and on....

Sure it did not work for you, but no need to go hyperbolic and broad brush negative on other owner experiences. Many pieces of great sounding gear out there that garner mixed owner reviews and experiences. Nothing new or surprising here. 
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,436 posts
 
VThose statements read like the experience of owners and factual information about the manufacturer/owner. No, the unit does not sound like tubes, but when properly set up with time and diligence the 2170 can sound so damn engaging. I build tube gear and have owned, listen to in my home and upgraded/modified more gear than you can imagine @bjesien. Goodness just look at my feedback. Yes, I am the dude who manufactures and sells audio cables. Yes, I am the dude who said my 2170 replaced some $20,000 worth of gear and and I like my current sound more. All true statements and my actual experience. Again, just because you have not had the same experience does not mean other’s realities are hyperbolic in nature. No, it simply means they are different experiences with the same Hifi piece. Common to have differing opinions and experiences with a piece of gear so why the negative spin on the opinions of folks who think this piece is not just another integrated amp? Our experiences are just as valid as yours. Just different.

You stated you did not find the piece to your liking, nothing special, flat sounding etc...That is your experience and should be shared here. All good.  But it seems that was not enough for you and you were somehow motivated to insult different opinions and experiences. This is where you went wrong 
grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,436 posts
 
I would spend less and get a used 2170. Use the USB input and a Innuos server like the Zen III. Don’t forget a good usb cable. Wonderful sounding total rig for less than the cost of 3400. My 2170 is great with Tidal and Roon. I actually think the 2170’s amp section is sweeter sounding than the 3400. Plenty of power in my huge space with 89db speakers.

There is a used 2170 on US Audiomart. You will need to buy a $400-$500 USB input card which is easy to install. Factor that cost in when you compare to the 3400.
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