Hey everyone - here to share my impressions of the Lampizator Amber III.
Chain: FLAC via Synology DS918+ > Foobar2000 > Lampizator Amber III > Glenn OTL > ZMF Auteur Cocobolo
Tubes used in the GOTL were primarily GEC L63 drivers, GEC 6AS7G or Toshiba 6BX7GT powers.
DACs compared: Schiit Modi Multibit, Schiit Gungnir, Topping D50
Some background: I was most interested in demoing the Amber III as I had not yet heard a tube-buffered DAC. In the past, I had compared several solid-state output delta-sigma DACs and a handful of solid-state output R2R DACs. I take these types of A-B comparisons quite seriously, doing my best to be aware of and minimize expectation bias (that is, if you expect something to sound better, it
will sound better) and confirming my initial impressions on multiple listening sessions. I admittedly have not heard appreciable difference between these solid-state DACs, so the role of the DAC in my audio chain has become something of an afterthought, with a "good enough" DAC doing the job and more time and resources devoted to improving other downstream components. I am happy to say my opinion of how DACs will affect my listening experience has now changed.
Sound impressions: Immediately on first listen of the Amber III, I noticed something was
different. That was enough to get me excited, as an undeniably different sound was not something I was used to hearing when swapping DACs. It took a few days of listening to characterize this
different in my mind, with the juxtaposition of the Amber III with the above DACs helping to highlight its strengths.
What I found the Amber III was adding to my listening experience was a warmer, smoother, more organic presentation of the music. In addition, the Amber III was offering a larger sense of space, air, and deeper nuance to the sound. Before hearing the Amber III, I had felt some sense of unrest with how I was hearing my music, feeling it had a somewhat
artificial and
thin quality. After swapping back to the trio of solid-state DACs, I now wholeheartedly believe they are major contributors to the issue. The sound again became thin, hollow, brighter, and more harsh. I was absolutely shocked at the difference I was hearing; this was no subtlety, an absolutely undeniable change and improvement with the Amber III. Whether this change is directly related to the tube versus op-amp output stage, tube rectification, or other topological differences, I cannot say, but is there and easy to pick out.
I used the word before, but I think it is a good one to describe the Amber III's sound:
organic. It sounds more like real music, and the emotional impact experienced is more vivid and palpable.
So without waxing poetic and pontificating on end with flowery language, I will say that the Amber III, to my ears (and in contrast to the other DACs I had on hand) offers a more warm, organic, spacious, full-bodied, and emotionally involving listening experience. Just prior to getting the Amber III, I had made some component and circuit modifications to my Glenn OTL. The combination of those changes with the organic quality of the Amber III made for such a pleasing listening experience, I am quite disappointed to go back! Hearing this DAC has opened my eyes (or ears?) to the role DACs will play in my audio chain, and I am grateful to have heard it.
Thanks again to
@Gopher for the opportunity to hear this great piece of gear, I believe it will have a lasting impact on the sound I want to achieve going forward.