NEW - Lamm LL1 Signature
 

Lam's brand new flagship. Designed to match the ML3 Signature.
New Page 4

Edit: Turns out it is not "brand new." However, it is still relatively new :D

Are there two volume controls?

Why does Pseudo balanced require too long to explain? What if a customer asks about it?

Two volume controls, and $42,690, would keep me away, unless they have a remote that adjusts both at the same time.

The LL1 is a 4 box, dual volume control preamp. All their preamps are dual volume control, purist designs.

My current LL2D is also a dual volume design. The dual volume itself is a non-issue for me, it actually comes in handy every once in a great while when the recorded music is not exactly centered and you can "walk" the center image to center it with the dual volume controls. :yes: The bigger issue is if one can live without the remote control rather than there are two knobs to adjust. :D I have no problems with no remote control, I am not that lazy and I've owned plenty of gear before without remotes so it is nothing new to me. :smoking:


As far as balanced and Lamm, Vladimir is not a big fan of balanced although some balanced inputs appear on some gear for convinience sake. It has to do with the associated circuitry that needs to be in the signal path for balanced and conversion of single ended to balanced and Vladimir being a purist.

My Lamm M1.2s have both and I've used both with various preamps. Obviously in combination with my Lamm LL2D, I have to use single ended and it sounds fantastic. I actually have less issues with LL2D in combination with the EAR324P phono stage with single ended while the balanced run to Ayre KX-R is much noisier for some reason. I am not sure if it's the Ayre or the EAR phono that is at fault with the balanced scheme.. :scratch2:

If you are going to spend $42k on Vladimir's LL1, I am sure he will take all the time you need to explain it to you why he doesn't like balanced. :D I've actually spoken to and emailed Vladimir on a few occassions and he is very responsive and helpful. :thumbsup:

http://www.soundstagenetwork.com/las...n08b/lamm1.jpg

Oh no, not more Critical Mass System racks:D

I currently have Lamm M1.2s with a Audio Research Ref 5 which I enjoy. I'm just wondering if I had the new Lamm 2.1 Pre if it would improve my system... Any advice? Has anyone compared Lamm Pre/Lamm M2.1a to Audio Research Ref 3/5 with Lamm
M1.2s?

Viper, I find the synergy between the LL2D and M1.2s to be simply magical. There are some things my Ayre KX-R preamp does better, specifically it is a bit more resolving and transparent overall with better frequency extremes but the LL2D simply makes you forget everything related to HI-FI and just sit there totally immersed in music. It is also able to recreate the space and depth a bit better along with better image density, a trait of tube regulated power supplies from what I understand. That's not to say the Ayre KX-R is too analytical or hyper detailed, it is not, it is one of the very best SS preamps I have experienced to date. The tubed LL2D gives up a bit here and there but it never leaves you wanting more since it makes the music sound even more organic, wholesome, rich in harmonic structure and texture and ultimately very enjoyable and pleasing to the ear.

The ARC Reference 5 is no doubt a great preamp but I'd suggest you try to audition the LL2.1 or even the older LL2D with your M1.2s to see if the synergy of Lamm/Lamm strikes a chord with you. :yes:

I know it probably won't happen... but I sure wish that LAMM would make an integrated amp.

I would buy one and be done forever!

PHC1 thanks... I will try to see if I can get a loaner. If I can, I'll report back the results.