Lampizator Atlantic 5 TRP DAC

The update to Engine 12 in Lukaz Fikus's line of DACs has forced us to catch up in order to keep pushing the digital front of our setup to the limit.

Amid the hangover (both literal and figurative) that the holiday transition period represented, I received an offer I couldn't refuse. The possibility of moving up a couple of steps in Lampizator's DAC lineup by testing a model superior to my Amber 5. The Atlantic 5 TRP (we'll talk about these acronyms later) could arrive at Sala Et Sona if the stars aligned and I had a little patience. Well, you're reading these lines, aren't you? We know that, in the end, something happened. Be thankful you didn't have to go through the stress and emotional rollercoaster between the notice, confirmation, shipping, arrival, and setup—which, I think, cost me about 5 years of my life. That's just how it is, it seems to me, for all of us who enjoy this hobby; in the anticipation lies a huge part of the thrill of receiving a new piece of gear to test and enjoy.

I'm talking about that blessed audiophile psychosis that drives us to refresh the courier's tracking page fifteen times a day, praying the package doesn't get stuck at some sorting facility or, even worse, suffer the rigors of careless handling. When you know the level of craftsmanship traveling inside that box, every hour of delay feels like a century. It's self-inflicted suffering, of course, but it vanishes completely the moment you sign the delivery receipt and hold the package in your hands for the first time. Well, then comes the mini-heart attack between receiving it and opening it, remaining on edge until you verify that everything is in order.

Fast forward a few weeks later, the long-awaited package arrived. With the usual discretion, a sober, medium-sized box was placed in my hands, and the little ritual of unpacking and installing the equipment began—a unit already expected by the Artesanía Audio Rack Prestige 4, which days earlier had been adjusted, leveled, and cleaned for the guest. The power cable, also custom-made for the unit, courtesy of Gutwire. Once the stage was set, the infallible Final Touch Audio RCA cables were connected to it. The only other relevant change was the USB cable, an Akoya, courtesy of David Laboga, whose review can be found here: Akoya USB - David Laboga.

The installation of the tubes was simple and fast, and the equipment began its burn-in process. From the very first moment, differences and improvements compared to the Amber 5 were glimpsed, but a recommended amount of time had to be given to pass before making serious observations. One week later, the true critical listening process began. Here another minor event occurred. A set of Genalex Gold Lion tubes for the equipment made its arrival, courtesy of Arte Audio. This meant another short adjustment period, as the tubes were 100% brand new.

For clarity, I should mention that the unit arrived with a pair of EL34 tubes, which I replaced with a set of Genalex Gold Lion KT88s—as I said, courtesy of Arte Audio—matching the GZ34 acting as the rectifier. Mind you, there were further updates in this regard later on, as the folks at PSVANE didn't stay behind and sent a complete set from their Horizon series for the Atlantic. Another burn-in period? Well, yes... it is what it is. This review, I believe, has taken the most time in terms of burn-in periods, listening, writing, and more.

I thought I had finished the review when an unfortunate incident with a shipping company resulted in the loss of a third set of tubes for the review: a complete KR Audio set consisting of two KT88s and a very special rectifier, the KR Audio 5U4G Riccardo Kron Anniversary. As you can imagine, the importer and I were quite nervous about the lost package, which, luckily, arrived several weeks later after "magically" showing up at the courier's warehouse. Oh well, I had to go through another burn-in period. That said,

I'm not complaining—the KR Audio tubes were 200% worth it. But enough introductions, let's get down to business.

Construction

Physically, compared to the Amber, the only aesthetic difference is actually the fact that the Atlantic 5 TRP houses its tubes on top of the chassis, which of course has a reason beyond mere appearance. While the Amber 5 uses more compact tubes, the Atlantic 5 TRP requires larger tubes with diverse performance specs: to be exact, two KT88s (or EL34s, which are the recommended models)—one for each channel in a single-ended configuration (or two per channel balanced)—and one GZ34 (other models are compatible, as we will see later) used as the rectifier in the circuit.

On the front, the button surrounded by an LED is used to switch between the USB input and others, which are selected via the rear switch. Moving on to the back, you'll find the respective connections for the inputs, the single-ended (RCA) output in the case of this particular unit, and the power connector. It is a relatively simple device whose complexity is reserved for the interior. Lampizator's mostly utilitarian and spartan design is not for everyone, but the brand, aware of this, compensates for its simplicity and offers those with more eccentric tastes the possibility of incorporating color and even other materials into the chassis. All these options, of course, are à la carte and involve a small additional outlay.

The most notable difference in terms of evolution compared to the Amber 5 is located inside: Engine 12, the latest creation by Łukasz Fikus and the reason for the jump in nomenclature among the Polish brand's Atlantic DAC line. On paper, Engine 12—released in November 2025—is distinguished from its predecessor by several changes. Among the most notable are the change of the conversion chip, as well as updates to filtering, regulation, grounding, trace layout, and isolation (essentially, everything has changed). The degree of complexity, however, has been implementing these changes while maintaining the exact same form factor as the previous iteration, which allows owners of the brand's previous DACs equipped with Engine 11 to upgrade to this latest version. Naturally, this upgrade comes with a price.

I suppose, then, that the brand's DACs can be considered modular components, as they can be upgraded to the latest technology that Łukasz Fikus's genius can produce. In my view, this massively increases the value of the equipment from the customer's perspective. Right now, I couldn't tell you if any other high-end audio company offers this level of consideration to its customers without forcing them to completely replace the entire unit when a technological breakthrough occurs.

For the listening tests, the rest of the system consisted of:

• Preamplifier: Dual-mono, two-stage preamplifier with discrete op-amps and MAT02 low-noise bipolar inputs.

• Amplifier: Amplifier with Hypex NcoreX NCx252MP module.

• Interconnect Cables: Stager Silver Solids / Final Touch Audio Thebe RCA.

• Power Conditioning: Lampizator Silk.

• Power Cables: Bazco Audio L1 (custom) and GutWire B-10 for the DAC.

• Speakers: Axxess L1.

• Speaker Cables: Nordost Blue Heaven.

• Rack: Artesanía Audio Prestige 4 / Artesanía Audio Glass Turntable Rack.

• Accessories: Artesanía Audio Damper / GutWire Ultimate Ground Cable.

  
  

1. L'Impératrice – Pulsar

This album, which in my opinion rivals any Daft Punk production, is one of my listening staples. I know it perfectly, and I also know how it sounds in my system in any of its configurations. While with the Amber 5 I had noted a remarkable improvement in staging presentation and depth, I must confess that the difference with the Atlantic caught me off guard. Never—I repeat, never—has it sounded this good.

Using the Genalex Gold Lion KT88s, the sound acquires impressive authority and body. L'Impératrice's synthesizers fill the room with a creamy yet defined texture. However, when trying the PSVANE Horizon set (KT88 + 274B), the soundstage widens even further. The PSVANE 274B rectifier provides an airiness that the Genalex GZ34 cannot reach, allowing electronic percussion details to float with astonishing freedom. Meanwhile, the PSVANE Horizon EL34s offer a sweeter, more romantic midrange, sacrificing a bit of deep bass impact compared to the KT88s, but gaining a musicality that makes Flore Benguigui's voice addictive.

2. Yael Naim – Solaire

On this track, Engine 12's ability to resolve micro-details is evident. With the Gold Lion tubes, the piano has real weight, a wooden resonance that feels physical. However, switching to the PSVANE Horizon KT88s introduces greater transparency in the highs. It is a more analytical presentation without falling into coldness. The Horizon set seems to extract an extra layer of resolution from Engine 12, allowing Yael's subtle breaths between verses to be heard. If the Genalex tubes are "muscle and elegance," the PSVANE Horizons are "precision and atmosphere."

3. Tchaikovsky – 1812 Overture (Erich Kunzel / Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra / Telarc)

This recording is an absolute acid test for stability and current delivery. In the final climax, the Genalex Gold Lion KT88s maintain a solid orchestral structure, where the brass roars with towering authority without losing control. Switching to the PSVANE Horizon set (KT88 + 274B), the most notable difference lies in the spatial placement of the cannon shots; the 274B rectifier seems to expand the physical limits of the room, imparting a sense of air and distance that makes the experience much more realistic.

Conversely, the PSVANE EL34s, while offering exquisite warmth in the strings during more lyrical passages, struggle a bit more to maintain the visceral impact of the percussion compared to the firmness of the KT88s.

Returning to the KR Audio tubes: After the tremendous scare of the package being lost and with my nerves now settled, the entrance of the KR tube set marked the true climax of this review. Revisiting Pulsar by L'Impératrice with the two military-specification KT88s and the imposing KR Audio 5U4G Riccardo Kron Anniversary rectifier, the system underwent a breathtaking mutation. The KR Audios achieved a milestone in my room: fusing the savage physical bass impact of the Genalex with the three-dimensional openness of the PSVANE Horizons.

The rhythmic foundation of the electronic track acquired an organic physicality that punched you in the chest, while Flore Benguigui's voice projected in a holographic relief so real it felt like you could stand up and walk around the performer. I have listened to this song many times, in different systems and setups, and far from boring me, it resulted in a deeply rewarding experience.

On Solaire by Yael Naim, the timbral superiority of these handmade Czech tubes justified every minute of anguish over their loss. The harmonic decay of the piano notes extended across the room with a fluidity and richness of texture that made the other options look slightly mechanical by comparison. Engine 12, paired with this elite glass, proved that its performance ceiling is much higher than you might initially imagine; the boundaries between digital reproduction and real analog room presence simply dissolved. Moreover, the ease with which the Atlantic resolves details suggests that, even in this configuration, it is far from reaching its limits.

Pushing this KR Audio combo to the limit with Telarc's 1812 Overture was a "telluric" experience. If the KT88s provided iron-fisted control in the densest orchestral passages, it was the Riccardo Kron Anniversary rectifier that broke the mold. In the final climax, the cannon shots weren't just a loud sonic impact—they carried a physical shockwave, with a level of realism and sub-bass texture that raised goosebumps. Soundstage stability was absolute: the choral mass, brass sections, and bells remained perfectly separated and localized on a stage that seemed to have knocked down the walls of Sala Et Sona. It was the definitive proof that this DAC, powered by current management of this caliber, handles macrodynamics with an authority and speed bordering on the unbelievable.

All of this, moreover, managed via the recent implementation of convolution filters derived from room measurements, made listening to this passage a unique experience. I can only imagine the impact in the sub-bass if, instead of the Axxess L1 monitors, I had counted on their older siblings—the L3 speakers—for this audition. Maybe someday?

Technical Data

• Model: Lampizator Atlantic 5 TRP (Tube Rollers Paradise)

• Digital Engine: Engine 12 (Released November 2025)

• Tube Configuration: 2 x KT88 (or EL34/6550), 1 x GZ34 (or 274B/5U4G)

• Outputs: Single-Ended (RCA) / Optional Balanced (XLR)

• Inputs: USB Amanero, S/PDIF, Toslink, AES/EBU

• DSD: Up to native DSD512

• PCM: Up to 760 kHz / 32 bit

• Weight: Approximately 12 kg

Conclusions

The jump from the Amber 5 to the Atlantic 5 TRP with Engine 12 is not a simple evolution; it is a paradigm shift in how we understand digital reproduction at Et Sona. The acronym TRP (Tube Rollers Paradise) should give us a small glimpse into the equipment's most important feature: this DAC's ability to transform its character depending on the chosen tubes—and in practice, that is simply an astonishing capability. The fine-tuning that can be achieved is deeply rewarding. The character shift imprinted by each model and brand allows us to finely adjust our system to the response we expect or enjoy, even depending on the type of music we want to listen to.

The Genalex Gold Lion KT88s are the safe choice for those seeking a balanced, powerful sound with a classic color that charms from the very first second. However, the PSVANE Horizon set (KT88 and 274B) ups the ante in terms of resolution and soundstage depth, bringing out the full potential of the new Engine 12. The PSVANE EL34s, on the other hand, are the perfect refuge for lovers of vocals and jazz, offering a harmonic delicacy hard to beat at this price point. Thus, we could continue listing models and brands, but trust me, with these you are covered, and at a relatively accessible cost. Furthermore, considering that tube life is counted in lustrums (five-year periods), it implies little short-term outlay for replacements.

It seems that once again, Łukasz Fikus has shown that the soul of music lies in the perfect combination of cutting-edge digital technology and the unmatched warmth of the vacuum tube. The Atlantic 5 is undoubtedly a new paradigm in our reference system. Now we are left looking at the possibility of upgrading in the immediate future to stay at the cutting edge.

The arrival of the Atlantic 5 TRP with Engine 12 into our system has allowed us to explore new heights of fidelity, confirming that the flexibility offered by its acronym is real. This DAC's ability to mutate its personality according to the chosen tubes and the quality of the signal it produces is its greatest virtue. Fikus has designed a versatile platform where the latest digital technology and tube tradition converge to place the focus on what truly matters: the emotion of musical performance.

The Atlantic 5 TRP rightfully earns—after countless hours of rigorous testing—a total and absolute recommendation within the pages of Et Sona. It is a component that not only updates an audio system, but transforms the listener's relationship with their music library. For those looking to explore these heights of fidelity in our country, the unit is fully available for demonstration and purchase through the professional services of Elektra HiEnd.