Reimyo vs Audio Note 3.1X vs Lampizator DAC ?


This is my second thread on this topic. I am trying to upgrade from a Reimyo DAP777. My budget is $2500 used. Unfortunately I do not have the option to listen to any of the DACs I am listing here. I just want to get a hold on the pulse of what people think and accordingly will try to take a decision.

Reimyo is a nice DAC. It is not as airy and natural as some of the well implemented tube DACs. Audio note 3.1X comes to my mind first. But I have never heard them. I have just heard of them and couple of times I have got this feedback that AN is not detailed as Reimyo. Would like to gather some feedback here from experienced Audiogoners.

Then comes the latest sensation, the Lampizator DAC which is being raved about in the community. I would like to give some credibility to this guy because he has done a lot of work in this area over the last 5 years. But again, no reviews or direct feedback available. Would want to listen from you guys about it if any of you have heard the Lampizator design.

Apart from these I have on offer the following DACs:
1. Exemplar Extant DAC
2. 3-Dimension DAC 18SE

But again not much info available about these in the internet. Guys please help me here. I dont want to give up the Reimyo without some due research. Fortunately or unfortunately I like the Reimyo. It is just that last degree of naturalness that I am looking for.
pani
What transport are you using,if any?If you use cd transport with DAC from Reimyo,why don't you try to upgrade cd transport or go to higher Reimyo model since you like the sound of Reimyo,
I use a modded TEAC VRDS 10 transport. It is a nice transport.
As you would read my initial post, for about $2500 used, I cant go any higher in the Reimyo line than what I already have. Another thing that I am inclined to is to try a high quality DAC with tube output stage.
It seems to me that your looking for both detail and "naturalness." At $2500 you're going to have to decide which is more important to you. Personally, unnatural but detailed just isn't my cup of tea.
I've had the Lampizator DAC, L2, for about 6 weeks. I think it's great. I did not have an outboard DAC previous to the LZ, simply an Arcam CD73 which has an internal Wolfson chip. The rest of my system is a Placette active pre, Edge m8m, and JMR Trentes.

When I first got the LZ, I listened A/B from the CD alone vs the CD/DAC. With the LZ, the sound opened up. Clarity improved, soundstage became wider, instrument placement more easily discerned, overall sound more forward and less veiled. I love to put people in 'the chair' and play music for them; they hear what they have never heard before.

Not sure about squeezing that last drop of naturalness out of your system, but I recommend the LZ. Lukasz is great to deal with, and has a money back guarantee. He told me that no one has invoked that yet. I'm happy with mine.
Thanks cmjones for your opinion. Even I am pretty enthusiastic about Lampizator DAC designs. Unfortunately I could not find anyone writing about their top level products and how it compares to other reference products. Reimyo though is not in the absolute reference level but still, within its price point it is one of the references. Can the Lampizator upset the Reimyo ? Not easy to guess :(
Here is the feedback I have been able to collect:

"I recently had to opportunity to audition an LZ (Lampizator) Model 2.0 June production. The sound was absolutely stunning - far, far better than any other dac I have ever heard, at any price level."
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My initial reaction to the Lampizator: "Wow, this is better." I noticed before LZ that music seemed to emanate from behind my speakers. With LZ, the music comes from right out front. I moved from the mezzanine to the orchestra. The music seems to bloom. My perception of the canvas was that it became higher and wider. The placement of instruments became more definite. Space between instruments is more discernable. I feel like I can visualize the sound stage better with my eyes open. Clarity has improved. Elements in playing which were just noticed before are easily discernible now. There is a nice new harmonic element in the vocals with the LZ from the tubes. I looked at my objectives: "Improved clarity, soundstage depth and width, a more forward presentation, and better separation of individual instruments in orchestral music." I didn't realize until now that my assessment would so closely match my desire. I'm gonna keep this DAC. The more I listen to the LZ, the better it gets.
===================================
After few days listening I have to say that you DAC is a breakthrough engineering masterpiece, it’s not about anything else but just pure musical sounding machine. What I can say summary of your at point like following:
· EXTREMELY QUIET
· EXTREME RESOLUTION THAT CAN SUPPORT @ 176.4KHZ OR 192KHZ SAMPLING
· VOCAL TONALITY A LITTLE BIT OF KINDA TDA1541A
· REFINED AND OPEN SOUND IS ABLE TO BE PRODUCED
· MAXIMUM OF SOUND DETAILS THAT NEVER MISS ANYTHING OF WHAT A MUSIC SOURCE HAS
· SMOOTH SOUNDING AND WIDE, DEEP SOUNDSTAGE
· WITH MINIMUM OF COLORATION INTO THE MUSIC MAKES MUSIC SOUND BETTER
· SOUND OUTPUT OF THE DAC CAN BE CONSIDERED AS VINYL-ANALOG LIKE SOUNDING UNLIKE COMPETITORS
· ADDICTIVE MUSICAL OUPUT THAT CAN MAKE THE USER LISTEN FOR ALL DAY LONG
BRAVO, FIKUS! PLEASE KEEP ME UPDATED IF YOU HAVE FURTHER BREAKTHROUGH RESEARCH, HAHAHA.
Also would like to ask what model is the rectifier tube?
THANKS!
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My friend is currently using the demo Level 2 Lampizator (June poduction) until his Level 3 arrives sometime in December. I auditioned his current system last Thursday night and, I must say, it is one of the most enjoyable, realistic and involving systems I have ever heard. What is unique about his philosophy is he is making huge improvements by investing less money.

His current system consists of a Shindo Vosne
Romanee preamplifier, a Pass First Watt F4 (see Pass website for details), and Altec Lansing 19 speakers. His front-end components include an absolutely gorgeous analogue turntable, a Sony XA-5400 cd player used as a transport only, and,
of course, the outstanding Lampizator dac (demo unit, June production, Level 2 - no summation circuit, etc.). The entire system is loomed with Franck Tchang Liveline cables, and speaker placement makes for a very close listening position.
The sound is simply unforgettable. Interestingly, he has been collecting LP's for about 50 years and has assembled a collection of about 8,000 pristine selections. On Thursday night he said the Lampizator made his entire LP collection obsolete!
Thanks Wisnon, I spoke to Lukasz today and He is sending me the details. If I buy his DAC I promise to write a review here :).
Pani,

Check out his website. He has a new chassis (box) and its even better. Sections are separated and thus any potential interference is isolated. He also has tubes mounted upside down for easy tube rolling without opening the box.

www. Lampizator.eu ---- commercial section. Well worth a look.
I placed an order for Lampizator v.2.5 level2 last week after doing my extensive research. I do have other dacs on hand (bc2.5, tranquility, weiss202) so will report back when I do a full listen and compare.
That would be much appreciated Sirotseta!

I look forward to hearing your opinion.
WTF? Why did this thread die? Any news Sirotseta? I really want to believe in the Lampizator. I love the website and Lucasz seems like a awesome designer/person.
First pro review/feedback:

http://www.stereomojo.com/Stereomojo%20Six%20DAC%20Shootout.htm/StereomojoSixDACShootout.htm
First pro review:

http://stereomojo.com/Lampizator%20Level%204%20DAC%20Review.htm/LampizatorLevel4DAC.htm

I can share some insight into the Lampizator dac as I am a reseller found at HDAudio.ca I will try and be as unbiased as possible.

There are 3 words that best describe their sound:

LIVE Natural Clarity.

The level 3 and 4 share the same overall personality. They both have the same basic DNA using an all tube power supply and output stage. The sonic difference lies mainly in the chipset used and it's voicing. The level 4 is basically about 10% better than the level 3 with a blacker background and better 3D imaging. 40% buy the level 3 and 60% the 4. Once people see how good the level 3 is 90% want to step up to the 4 and are happy. You can tell the difference between the two in one switching.

The first thing one notices is how live the sound is. Instead of a static, or lifeless, sound there is this expressive, lively, bloom emanating from the instruments. This makes it very engaging. Other things one notices are a great deal of detail retrieval, a sense of ease and flow as in real music, and excellent imaging.

Instead of a stark black background you get more of a clear one. Kind of like some Audio Research gear I have heard. Instruments and performers are spot lighted nicely. All of this adds up to going from great hifi to a real performance.

The sound is very addicting and has had me planted in my listening chair not wanting to turn off the tunes.

All in all, they are a very nice addition to the high end audio arena in my books.

Rocket_Ronny

I need to edit the third paragraph as it is not clear. I am not talking about the difference between the level 3 and 4 there but between the Lampizator dacs in general compared to most.

It should have read like:

The first thing one notices about the Lampizator dacs is how live the sound is. ...

Rocket_Ronny
Rpv, any experience with a level 5 and the amount of improvement over a level 4?
From what I understand is that the Level 5 is more a custom job, not specific improvements, but depends on the exotic nature of the parts chosen, etc...