When Lukasz and team release a new flagship DAC, it always stomps hard on their previous best. Over the years I've experienced this a few times already. Their twin-box Level 7 was outclassed by the Golden Gate that shrunk in the presence of the Pacific which was murdered by the Horizon which had to concede the crown to the 360. While Genya didn't go the extra mile of the flagship, it didn't feel inferior by comparison. Even in the context of the exceptional Horizon360, Genya simply did too many things at too high a level to succumb so a polite bow will do. How it blends its makers' usual sonic protocol with additional elegance makes it a standout design. Let's wrap. I still remember how badly the 1st-gen Horizon loaner mauled my Pacific DAC in late 2023. While bittersweet, this experience marked an obvious upgrade path in my future. That said, had Genya been available back then, I would've financed it in a heartbeat and without thinking about whatever else was above it. At the end of the day, this clearly is a Horizon descendant with a posh sonic twist. Modest dress code, basic utilities and price significantly below the original don't make it any less real or serious. Fans of the brand who enjoy the idea of tapping into Horizon sonics at 30% of the cost should find Genya very appealing. I bet that Evgennyi Kreminski would be very proud of Lukasz and team.

In early July 2025 Lukasz reached out again. He had the fancier Genya Plus up and running. More importantly, the Lite version I'd reviewed sat next to it. He asked whether I'd be interested in comparing them but stressed that this was time sensitive. Both machines had passed final quality control and were about to reach their mandatory 100 hours of cook. The next step was shipping them to owners who had already paid. Lukasz was happy to drop off the two DACs at my place for two days tops. Then his staff would have to collect them. What's more, the next day he was about to disappear for a week of well-deserved vacation. I had to decide there and then. Since we're practically neighbours, I suggested paying him a visit. Some three hours there would be all it took. Lukasz fancied this knowing that it removed potential transportation mishaps and delays. He reorganized his afternoon and we met. I keep away from reviewing audio in a room not mine. Each space has too many variables to know which component does what, exactly. It's common sense. This time around that was no issue. I was about to compare two devices in a very appealing system just as I like it. One test subject goes in, the other out. Rinse and repeat. Besides, the main LampizatOr rig featured AudioNec's second-best Evo 3 floorstanders always a treat to hear. They connect to Pass Labs XA60.8 monos, those to a Genya version of choice receiving data from the company's SuperKomputer server/streamer. Roon attenuated signal in the digital domain, all electronics were powered from a Kraftwerk-10 distributor. Cables were a mixture of LampizatOr's own and upper-echelon KBL Sound.

To compare the two Genya, I simply had to mute playback, move one USB and two XLR leads from one to the other, adjust volume by about 2dB (Genya Plus plays louder due to the tubes), press unmute, hit play and voilà. Both DACs had identical power cords so there was no need to turn them on/off to significantly speed up swaps. On exteriors, Genya Lite and Plus were pretty much alike. The word “Plus” on the latter's forehead was the only cosmetic thing that set them apart. Their input LED had now incorporated into the front panels just a hair above their dual-function buttons. In my loaner these diodes had still located behind the acrylic window which didn't look as nice so I appreciated the minor rework. The key differences were inside. The Plus houses a gold-plated PCB busy with a quad of NOS Amperex 7119 and WMO copper-in-oil output caps made by Chinese company WEE Technology. Lukasz deems these bits significantly better than their counterparts in the Genya Lite.

While it may seem that the tubes and caps listed aren't worth an extra €3'000, in practice they fully sufficed to make a demonstrable difference. The first firm observations came after a mere two rotations. I can't say I was surprised. When two fine DACs clash in a very resolving system, things either happen instantly or not at all. That said, each time Genya Plus engaged, wider dynamic range, additional heft, larger images, higher momentum and greater ease followed. While sonically accomplished in its own right, the Lite version felt spatially slightly constricted, leaner, more innocent and a touch compressed and distant by comparison. That's all she wrote. The delta of change wasn't night and day by any stretch. It was however noted and repeatable particularly on energetic fare that showed the Plus version as more gifted. All in all, forking out the extra €3K feels justified considering the noticeable performance hike it unlocks in trade. Genya Lite & Plus. Both genies are out of the bottle now and how many wishes they may grant is very limited…