A (Slightly Early) Christmas DAC Story Part One

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Every now and then, you come across an audio component which is simply in a class by itself, one that truly speaks to you. Back around the spring of 2017, I had that happen once again. I had been hearing all of the remarkably positive commentary on Lampizator DAC's, especially at the high end, but had not come directly across one, personally. While enjoying Axpona in late April of 2017, it was very hard not to note that literally every single high end room used the then top of the line Golden Gate, almost without exception, including even the million dollar plus room that Von Schweikert put together. If you were unable to experience that system (which made its way to Munich later that same year) you really missed something remarkable. Over the top beyond belief, but unquestionably remarkable. Not only did that room have well over $100,000 in cabling alone, and over a million dollars in hardware including nine foot tall Von Schweikert speakers, it also, of course, featured the Golden Gate DAC.

 

During my time at the show, through the kind assistance of some old, and new friends, I was given the chance to listen to a couple intimate systems focused around the Golden Gate, where I had great familiarity with the other components. Those opportunities  let me really hear what the DAC was capable of, and it was just stunning. It had the famous golden glow of classic Conrad Johnson gear, in the midrange, just when and where you wanted it, but without any of the usual associated limitations, just incredible, bell like clarity, startlingly good direct and concise bass, and remarkable balance in every range. And you could further tweak it to your own system and exact tastes by the wide choice of tubes available for use with it. Were I a certified well heeled individual, I would simply have ordered one then and there and lived happily ever after. Unfortunately, this not being a fairy tale, a reality check was badly needed. I had to tell myself, at that point, to just let it go, as I would never remotely be able to own one given the state of my finances. With the desired options, they were selling at about $20k US, single ended, and $2k more for fully balanced operation, numbers I could not possibly aspire to. When rarely available used, they typically sold for $12-13k and were in immense demand, selling literally overnight when they appeared for sale and even those used numbers were far, far beyond me. I did, however, maintain my immense respect for them, and thought fondly about what that magnificent and wondrous DAC was capable of, but simply had to move on with life, and enjoy what I had.  

 

Fast forward to about a month ago. A set of completely unexpected circumstances came to pass, one of those magic infused situations that happens those few rare times in ones life. You know the ones I mean, wherein everything possible comes together at once, as though fate was waiting for you with open hands. Out of nowhere, I became aware of, at least the potential of a certain unique opportunity, and sent a note to someone I knew of, online, from many audio forum commentaries and contributions who was associated with what I had heard. I inquired about a possibility based on info I had been made aware of, and received a note back saying that what I was requesting wasn't likely, especially given my financial limits, but he would do his best to see if anything at all might be possible. A few days later a reply came back, and informed me that  there was literally one, specially available, less than one year old Golden Gate DAC that met my specs. And not only did it fall just barely within my maximum price limit, but it would also be shipped to Lampzator in Poland, fully checked out there,guaranteed to perform flawlessly, reinstated with a four year warranty, and shipped on to me. Suddenly, right in front of me, here was this opportunity to own a very lightly used, and perfect Golden Gate DAC, and, almost even more unbelievably, at a price I could survive, only requiring a six month, daily, Ramen noodle diet to replenish my expended capital. This was literally my dream DAC and I was going to own it. I could hardly believe my good fortune and woke up the next morning very concerned that I had indeed dreamed it all. 

 

The DAC arrived very late the other night (an 11:30pm delivery no less, kudos to DHL). I looked up in the snowy night to see a large, red bearded individual standing on my deck, looking at me through the window, and holding the large package that he had just dragged all the way up the hill leading to my house, from the street, through the snow. I believe I thanked him at least three times in our 30 brief conversation. At that point, it had been a very,very long day seeing to some unfortunate family matters. Still, I went to sleep thinking of nothing other than unboxing it from the remarkable flight case it comes shipped in, the next morning, connecting it up, and listening to it in my system. Since then, I have had at least one very extended listening session with the wonder DAC inserted into my system. Two close friends who are also audiophiles and music lovers took part in that session. They were so impressed and involved in the listening process, that we all sat there very late into the night completely unaware that all of that time had slipped by. I can perhaps give no higher qualification than that to my newest component, once only something of dreams. 

 

I am listening to the system now as I write these words, still feeling as though I am, somehow, not fully deserving of being the owner of such an astonishing component. Everything about it is remarkable, if not entirely without some mixed emotions as a result. More about that in Part 2.

 

JC

[TubeLover]

Thanks Doc. I still continue to brave the great unknown of the occasional audio show. And yes, there are dangers there. But I would otherwise miss the camaraderie of our fellow audio enthusiasts, and the insights they offer. 

 

JC

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The R8 is about 30 miles away in winter storage! Though a friend of mine does have a Burmester audio system in his Porsche 911. 

 

JC

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10 hours ago, Ralf11 said:

It was a joke...

 

I am interested in how to get better sound in cars tho.

I knew it was a joke, but if I hadn't gone along with it no one would have had any fun!

 

JC

[TubeLover]

10 hours ago, Ralf11 said:

It was a joke...

 

I am interested in how to get better sound in cars tho.

Its honestly pretty difficult. I know people who have spent a fortune on it and it still doesn't sound great.

 

JC

[TubeLover]

4 hours ago, AudioDoctor said:

< has considered ripping the stereo and speakers out of his Porsche...

Doc, if you have the Bose system that Porsche offers, I completely understand your desire to rip it out. Sounded terrible in my Cayman S. 

 

JC

[TubeLover]

2 hours ago, Ralf11 said:

to get back OT - I still need a cheap DAC that sounds like $15k

Okay, I have a very strong suggestion there for you.  I know of a DAC that is an absolute steal at the moment. The only caveat is that it can't do DSD, so if that's important to you, then it's not for you.

 

The DAC I'm referring to is the superb, yet almost unknown Modwright Elyse. This superb DAC is almost unknown because Modwright released it literally  just as the DSD craze was hitting and it doesnt do DSD.  You may recall that Modwright was famous for modding Sony and Oppo cd players and bringing them to equal $10,000.00 players for less than half the price. They are geniuses with digital, and the Elyse is a DAC that sold for over $7k just a few years ago, and was rated well in compared  it to far more expensive DAC's two and three times its price.  If cd/pcm sound is what is important to you, then the Elyse is simply stunning. There is one on Audiogon right now for $2,750.00 which is outright robbery. . People are giving these away for only two minor reasons, one, the lack of DSD, and two, the only other thing to be aware of is that the Elyses uses a older USB standard that requires either a network player with Windows drivers, or a good USB to SPDIF converter. Otherwise, they are simply beautiful DAC's (one of the best looking ones I've seen) superb sounding, incredibly well built, with a great tube complement that can be upgraded for not  a lot of money, and takes things to another entire level.

 

JC

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18 minutes ago, Ralf11 said:

Thanks.  That one has a few weeks left to run; I do see they are going for about that price in general.

 

I was just thinking I might get the soon to be released Yggy with an upgrade tho I'd like DSD.

 

What other DACs have you compared the Modwright Elyse to?

PS Audio DirectStream

Holo Audio Spring Kitsune Tuned Level 3

Mytek Manhattan

Lampizator Big 7

 

 

JC

[TubeLover]

2 hours ago, gmgraves said:

Certain cars don't need stereos as they are entertaining enough all by themselves. I had a Jaguar XK140 that met that criterion as well as a 212MM Ferrari and an Alfa Romeo GTV-6. Porsches sound great too. Just going through the gears in cars like this makes a sound that rivals Beethoven's 9th.....

Well said, and you have indeed had some fine cars there . 

 

JC

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10 minutes ago, Ralf11 said:

the stereo is useful when on a fwy that takes you to a nice twisty 2 lane...

Also true, and when you are using that special car on a more mundane trip, not simply out carving turns through the countryside.

 

JC

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On 12/9/2018 at 11:40 AM, accwai said:

 

 

 

As for DACs, I'm a totaldac person. Michael Lavorgna loves the stuff so everybody on CA knows it's garbage. So I'm not going to embarrass myself in front of the distinguished audience here.

I don't necessarily care who loves them, but TotalDac's are superb. Along with the Golden Gate, they were at the top of my dream list, but no one ever sells them! Apparently there is a reason why:)

[TubeLover]

I have to say I'm impressed. Other than the single, original reply from Doc  relating to my story, you've gotten this all the way up to three pages, and counting while discussing but cars.....amazing!

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3 minutes ago, Ralf11 said:

 

so... blazing acceleration?

At least it's not "unintended acceleration"!

[TubeLover]

Actually almost every major manufacturer has had problems related to this:

 

Toyota is not alone in major recalls due to incidents of sudden unintended acceleration. These issues are also not limited to the big five manufacturers. According to the NHTSA database, recalls have also been issued for vehicles made by Nissan, BMW, Volkswagen, Mitsubishi, Subaru, Mercedes-Benz, Kia, Mazda, Land Rover, Suzuki and Volvo.Feb 6, 2010

Fact Check: Toyota not alone in acceleration problems - CNN.com