[ LampizatOr BIG 7 DAC – New worldwide reference for PCM and DSD playback ]
July 16, 2014[ Resolution Audio launches Cantata M100 mono amplifiers ! ]
August 5, 2014
Well , when Lukasz announced launching Head DAC in his interview for the positive – feedback magazine it caused an whole flood of questions coming to us about what it will be exactly like, regarding circuit, options, compatibility, layout ,look,etc. It caused such a rush in our mailbox so we nick named it already the HEADACHE ! It also doubled number of pages on LampizatOr thread on head-fi Internet forum showing clearly that it was very needed product indeed. The last question I can answer easily. It will be looking like LampizatOr for sure. All those who are following Lukasz’s statements they already know that he doesn’t like unnecessary ” Gucci ” glitter and any other things which would course the final price increase. I can also reveal some secrets about features which people are waiting for to know regarding unit’s versatility , which had not been yet explained clearly on the manufacturer’s webside. SO ;o]
Yes, all the user features will be located on the fascia. Imagine yourself old good SILK. In place of toggles you will find there all the headphones inputs to have and easy and immediate access to them. There will be as well a toggle to switch an output impedance on the matching transformer to match any cans you wish perfect.
Yes, even if one operates it from the short distance there will be remote and volume control to serve the duty.
Yes, it is going to have signal output terminals to be used in every audio system not just headphone based ones, so it very well can be the only DAC you need to have.
No, There will be no valves on the top of the box. LampizatOr units are their unique bottom load feature for their glass and this one will be kept as well in an HEAD DAC.
That’s just a few most HOT answers needed. To fulfill demand I decided to make an interview and simply pass all the customer questions to Lukasz to let him answer all, including those from myself which I guess will come soon if they didn’t yet. As a journalist I found that way to be more efficient and handy. Also well suited for the future linking to avoid answering all over again the same. Watch that space then !
All other features had been explained more or less on LampizatOr website. For the reader’s convenience we just copied them bellow to keep all in one place :
LampizatOr HEAD DAC
This is the most commonly asked question. Well, it is based on ALL OF THEM really. But we can’t say which level it is because it is a new animal, a cross-breed between an amp and a DAC and the circuit is different enough that we can only give it a new name : THE HEAD DAC.
BASIC PRINCIPLES:
- ★Pure tube triode circuit
- ★Pure tube diode power supply
- ★Optimized for headphones without mercy for the amp output
- ★Totally integrated tube amp with the DAC
- ★Manual volume control
- ★Fully balanced internal structure (four data conversions L-, L+, R-, R+)
DESIGN GOAL
The DAC is our best chip and circuit choice without going to DHT
The sound is very pure and revealing due to the extreme circuit simplicity and integration: tube DAC circuit is redesigned to be powerful enough to drive even most demanding headphones. The integration means that it would totally beat our own DAC with our own headphone amp as separate products playing together.
SPECIFICATIONS
- ★Inputs: USB 32 bit 384 kHz
- ★SPDIF input RCA 24 bit 192 kHz
- ★DSD 128x via USB as a paid extra option
- ★Outputs: Headphone small jack (also driving computer active speakers)
- ★Headphone big jack
- ★Headphone XLR 4 prong stereo
- ★Dual mono 3-prong XLR headphone
- ★Amplifier XLR balanced stereo
- ★Amplifier RCA SE stereo
- ★Headphone compatibility: only for passive headphones (not for electrostatic high voltage type)
- ★Up to 2 headphones can be driven simultaneously (sharing music with others !)
- ★User-switchable optimized transformer outputs for : A) high hundreds of ohms, B) small hundreds of ohms and C) 30-60 Ohms.
- ★Output power 3 W
- ★Power consumption: 40 W
- ★Weight 12 kg net.
- ★Chassis: 43 cm x 13 x 33 cm (plus the plugs)
- ★Tube set: 5c3S giant tube rectifier, 2 x small dual novals of choice – we suggest E180CC or E88CC for input section, 2 x ECC88 for transformer drivers.
- ★Output transformers: MU metal ultra fine core.
- ★Volume control: stepped 24 -level attenuators based on a resistor ladder.
UK retail price for basic L4 based cheapset is £ 3.900 shipped. To see all available options please contact us and ask for the latest LampizatOr price list. Thank you.
