Lichtlaerm prometheus- any thoughts or folks whove played it?

  • Thread starter Thread starter gritstogroats
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gritstogroats said:
I don't really know enough about transformer impact on sound. Besides a video I saw from Headfirst. Is it a big daal?
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No. I'm just not the biggest Fan of Driftwood. But it certainly has an impact on the sound. And as far as i can tell from the Prometheus Clips it does kinda have the same signature sound.
 
Simon Dorn said:
No. I'm just not the biggest Fan of Driftwood. But it certainly has an impact on the sound. And as far as i can tell from the Prometheus Clips it does kinda have the same signature sound.
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Agreed, the Driftwood is a classic example of having many of the recent made amp qualities I don’t like (sterile/lacking liveliness, cardboardy, disconnected feel). I really hope the Lichtlaerm isn’t like that, but now I’m more skeptical
 
Simon Dorn said:
No. I'm just not the biggest Fan of Driftwood. But it certainly has an impact on the sound. And as far as i can tell from the Prometheus Clips it does kinda have the same signature sound.
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Ah Ok. Thanks.
Ill have to read up on transformers but it makes sense when you have like mezzabarba talking up their transformer in marketing.
 
gritstogroats said:
Nice!
Maybe a better question for you then is. What held you back from ordering one this year?

Or If it's cost. If you had the cash. Would you order it or go with something else you liked better or did "that one thing" better to your ear.

I like the extras for sure.
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I’m not one for jumping on board for round one of things. I like to see how things like issues shake out, how delivery is handled and all that.

Now, I know Daniel and he’s a great guy so I wasn’t TOO worried about that, but I rarely jump in to be an early adopter of a new thing.

I’ve also decided to be very judicious about new gear moving forward. Like if I can only buy 2 amps this year, what are the two most different than what I have in my stable.

The Prometheus is certainly on my radar for 2025. I WAS supposed to get one to demo but that never came to fruition.
 
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braintheory said:
Agreed, the Driftwood is a classic example of having many of the recent made amp qualities I don’t like (sterile/lacking liveliness, cardboardy, disconnected feel). I really hope the Lichtlaerm isn’t like that, but now I’m more skeptical
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I really can't imagine it. Like I still intend on checking out transformer talk. But at the same time.

Their king in yellow. It's not a new circuit. Don't claim to be anything ground breaking. Just a few cool features from my view.

I've just had such good experience with what their pedals add. Especially gain and headroom wise. I can't imagine being left hanging on the amp
 
braintheory said:
Agreed, the Driftwood is a classic example of having many of the recent made amp qualities I don’t like (sterile/lacking liveliness, cardboardy, disconnected feel). I really hope the Lichtlaerm isn’t like that, but now I’m more skeptical
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So I get the concern over cardboard cutouts. But what do you feel are the not sterile or amps that have some life?

It's a pain not being able to test things out in person. So many variables.

I didn't hate driftwood I thought it was OK. Just didn't quite stand out. But a fair amount of new (past 6 years or so) that I thought were much better at least in videos.
 
gritstogroats said:
So I get the concern over cardboard cutouts. But what do you feel are the not sterile or amps that have some life?

It's a pain not being able to test things out in person. So many variables.

I didn't hate driftwood I thought it was OK. Just didn't quite stand out. But a fair amount of new (past 6 years or so) that I thought were much better at least in videos.
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Oh dude...if you are asking @braintheory
 
Whoops! If you are asking @braintheory
He will give some good options...but you better have deep pockets, because they will be the best of best!
 
VHTStark said:
Oh dude...if you are asking @braintheory
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Should I withdraw the question? They seem like they got something real specific in mind and idk. Except for like some things. Usually get a better perspective or firmer in my own ideas. Rarely useless.
 
gritstogroats said:
So I get the concern over cardboard cutouts. But what do you feel are the not sterile or amps that have some life?

It's a pain not being able to test things out in person. So many variables.

I didn't hate driftwood I thought it was OK. Just didn't quite stand out. But a fair amount of new (past 6 years or so) that I thought were much better at least in videos.
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No, I mean some amps have an inherent tone that I interpret as sounding like cardboard (just a verbal description), kind of like how some amps we say sound synthetic, some amps sound woody (from warmth), some plastic-y, glassy or metallic

When an amp sounds really filtered, lacking warmth, richness or overtones (the way most recent amps do), and the notes don't connect in that more liquid/human way, you're left with what I describe as an overall cardboard-y, sterile, uninspiring sound that can come off lacking life. Amps like the Uber Ultra, Driftwood, KSR, Omega's and a few others are prime examples of this to me (and my main concern of the Lichtlaerm). AB it with something like a Mark IIC+, early Rev Recto (ideally Rev C), Larry, Cameron, Blueface, Rev 1 or 2 Uber, a good modded vintage Marshall, Naylor or Wizard (or other top tier amps) and this extreme contrast of qualities in tone and feel will highlight exactly what I'm talking about in where these amps are comparatively lacking. Yes, I just mentioned a ton of different amps with very different flavors from each other, but the bigger picture is one group of them I consider very sterile/not lively and the other group the opposite to varying degrees on the spectrum of synthetic/sterile sounding amps to more organic/3D/lively amps. The latter to me is where the magic is of what makes any type of instrument exceptional
 
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VHTStark said:
Whoops! If you are asking @braintheory
He will give some good options...but you better have deep pockets, because they will be the best of best!
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Ah ignore my previous post. You left me on pins and needles.

I'm down for it. I'm young and do OK. I dont mind saving up money. Just not getting anything I have to pay 4k for upfront and wait years.
 
gritstogroats said:
So I get the concern over cardboard cutouts. But what do you feel are the not sterile or amps that have some life?

It's a pain not being able to test things out in person. So many variables.

I didn't hate driftwood I thought it was OK. Just didn't quite stand out. But a fair amount of new (past 6 years or so) that I thought were much better at least in videos.
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Exactly, for me when I had a Driftwood I couldn't hear any particular quality that stood out as something special. It was pretty generic and sounded like it never stepped out of a safe box when compared to great amps. I had mine 7 years ago now and wasn't as discerning back then. I revisited the Driftwood last year at an amp fest and thought it was awful. Super cardboard-y. No life, soul or personality to the sound or feel at all
 
braintheory said:
No, I mean some amps have an inherent tone that I interpret as sounding like cardboard, kind of like how some amps we say sound synthetic, some amps sound woody (from warmth), some plastic-y, glassy or metallic

When an amp sounds really filtered, lacking warmth, richness or overtones (the way most recent amps do), and the notes don't connect in that more liquid/human way, you're left with what I describe as an overall cardboard-y, sterile, uninspiring sound that can come off lacking life. Amps like the Uber Ultra, Driftwood, KSR, Omega's and a few others are prime examples of this to me (and my main concern of the Lichtlaerm). AB it with something like a Mark IIC+, early Rev Recto (ideally Rev C), Larry, Cameron, Blueface, Rev 1 or 2 Uber, a good modded vintage Marshall, Naylor or Wizard (or other top tier amps) and this extreme contrast of qualities in tone and feel will highlight exactly what I'm talking about in where these amps are comparatively lacking. Yes, I just mentioned a ton of different amps with very different flavors from each other, but the bigger picture is one group of them I consider very sterile/not lively and the other group the opposite to varying degrees on the spectrum of synthetic/sterile sounding amps to more organic/3D/lively amps
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Appreciate it man.
I haven't played a wizard. But I've messed with some other things and get it.

That being said I do like most things on your list of plastic too. I might not be experienced enough to quite hear or feel the difference.

Edit: experienced as in like tube amps. I can hear big differences. But subtly lost on me. That being said. Omega I was glad I didn't get in on despite some gas. Also while I liked dv77 I dint like the other speaker.
 
gritstogroats said:
I really can't imagine it. Like I still intend on checking out transformer talk. But at the same time.

Their king in yellow. It's not a new circuit. Don't claim to be anything ground breaking. Just a few cool features from my view.

I've just had such good experience with what their pedals add. Especially gain and headroom wise. I can't imagine being left hanging on the amp
Click to expand...
My only experience was their gate pedal (forgot its name lol) and regardless of the settings or even if the pedal was turned off completely, it also colored my amps I used it with with that filtered/plastic-y sound I hate (again in most recent made pedals). I'm still very curious to try their amp as I like to leave no stone unturned, but you can see why I'm gonna be skeptical going into it
 
VHTStark said:
Whoops! If you are asking @braintheory
He will give some good options...but you better have deep pockets, because they will be the best of best!
Click to expand...
I like to cut to the chase lol, get the answers I'd look for myself. It takes long enough to describe what I think is the best, let alone trying to then mention the alternatives when those aren't possible lol
 
gritstogroats said:
Appreciate it man.
I haven't played a wizard. But I've messed with some other things and get it.

That being said I do like most things on your list of plastic too. I might not be experienced enough to quite hear or feel the difference.
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I do think that the first time you play one of the amps on his list, youll have a "Oh, now I get it!" moment
 
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