From LAMM ML2s to LAMM ML2,2s
 

After experiencing how the LP2.1 Deluxe has taken my listening to vinyl to another level, I began to think about taking the opportunity to move from my ML2s to ML2.2s.......a new pair has become available to me at a manageable price and I could still hold onto my ML 2s. I have never heard ML2.1s or ML2.2s and it would be a leap of faith for me to make the move, although I have never been disappointed by a LAMM product before (I am not able to listen to the ML2.2s prior to purchase).

Surprisingly, I have never seen any commentary from those who who have followed this path, although from what I have read in the few reviews I believe that I could expect a very noticeable gain.............I would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has followed this path as to what would be in store for me.

Many thanks.

There's a nice ML2.2 review on The Audio Beat. The Lamm sound is magical.

Thanks tima, I have indeed read the three reviews on LAMM's site and am waiting for Peter Breuniger's to be posted shortly.I hope, and certainly I believe that my decision to proceed will clearly be the right one bearing in mind my many years of experience with the ML2s, LL2D and L2R. However, I am hoping there would be someone out there who had actually experienced, first hand the sonic gains by moving from ML2s to ML2.2s.

Anyway, the order is in and I will know in eight to ten days time.

So, did you ever make the jump?

Yes, see post #3 above.

Congrats! Can't wait to hear your impressions.

yes, i am waiting too!

Smp. It's been a couple of months. How are u going with the new amps?

Lol.

Just realised, it's has been a year and a couple of months.

Yes, a couple of years actually and no regrets whatsoever.............certainly worth the reasonable cost of the changeover. I wouldn't wish to trail off into long descriptive texts. Suffice it to say that the music is just that much more enjoyable to listen to...........in my system the initially most noticible change was in the bottom end - the other improvements seemed to creep up on me and their impact to my listening was not insignificant after a few days. Interestingly, my 17 year old ML2s (which were in perfect nick operationally/cosmetically) were in no way embarrassed by the ML2.2s and with new valves were still magnificent............their new owner certainly seems very pleased.

thx SMP for updating us

can i ask you what speakers and preamp you are using, as i am about to put in an order for a pair of ML2.2 and the new L2.1 Ref.

best paul

Have two LAMM pre-amps - LL2 Deluxe and the L2 Reference. Move between the two - the LL2D is a massive bargain and of course all valve. Prior to acquiring the LAMM pre-amps I used a CAT Ultimate for a year or so which was (and remains) a terrific pre-amp as well. Have a Shindo Aurieges, again very nice with a Line Magnetic LM 518iA and Cary Audio 300 SE Signatures, but the synergy between the LAMM products is unquestionable in my opinion...........I think you can be confident that you are on the right track for a great treat.

I have used Sonus faber Stradivaris (4 ohm /92 dB) for 10+ years and the combination does it for me...........the LAMMs have no trouble driving them to more than reasonable levels in my 7m X 5.5m X 4m room.Used them with Martin Logan Summits as well with great results too.

One thing I have noticed is that LAMM gear seems to really shine (well doesn't all equipment) on good racks - have Finite Elemente amp stands (most effective on wooden, floating floors) and Grand Prix Monaco on a wood over reinforced concrete floor (which is my current situation)............and there of course many more superb racks/stands.

Hope this might be of some value to you.

Thx smp . That is a great collection of tube equipment.

Can I bother you for a quick comment on the sound of the 2 lamm preamps? I prefer a more "romantic" sound so I initially thought the single box LL2.1 might be the way to go but my dealer is suggesting the 2 box L2.1 is the way to go.

Neither are available to demo unfortunately.

Thx

Aaaaggghhhh, Paul your question is a killer and one which I know has been debated here and elsewhere and both units have come out winners. I am aware that many enthusiasts do prefer the LL2D (as I did for a time), but I will go as far as saying that the L2R to me is the more "organic" sounding pre and ultimately is probably my preferred unit, but I have periods of wanting only to use the LL2D...........in my set up as it's higher gain is desirable (from memory this can be varied on the LL2.1D). I would ask others to chip in as I have long since avoided the analysis of the "sound" of equipment........I just get on and (hopefully) enjoy the music produced by whichever pre-amp is connected at the time. One can naturally speculate on the dealer's recommendation, but that would probably be ingracious?

You are considering making a reasonably significant purchase and I am certain everyone here will undoubtedly recommend that you need to somehow arrange to listen to both units with the ML2.2s prior to purchase. I had the same issue when I purchased my ML2.2s but I had owned the ML2s for many years along with both pre-amps so had a good idea of what I could expect.

thx SMP

really appreciate u taking the time to respond to my questions.

I'm sure if my dealer had all the items in question i wouldnt have to post so many.

Paul,

You have kept us in the dark - which LAMM pre-amp did you end up taking home?

Hey SMP

funny you ask.... Given i could not audition the Lamms, i took a sideways step and got Triode Corporation Junone Refence preamp and their matching TRX M845 mono's......

this allowed to me to transition my solid state gear out and get the valves in.

I'm now thinking about the Lamm's again, although I've got a set of CMS Maxxum racks coming on wednesday which should be fun.

Agree, that was indeed a sideways step - I have heard the Triode Corp. gear a few times (not in my system) and it is very decent, but the LAMMs are unquestionably in another league altogether. Anyway, it was obviously part of an upgrading plan- good luck in your progress.

Hi pweg,

I noticed that you demoed the Viva Solistina late last year (with Marten Coltrane 3s) and you enjoyed it very much yet you didn't proceed to buy it and went with the Triode Corp. 845s - now I assume that you may now have the LAMM ML 2.2s? I'm considering the Solistina to be used with DeVore 0/96s (second system) - would you mind telling me how in your opinion you felt the Solistina faredl sound quality wise in this trio of amps? Many thanks.

Hi SMP

The viva was beautiful in my system with to die for set properties. Voices really projected out into space. However. In my system is was tonally light and a bit forward. Compared to the big Triodes the Italian lacked bass and that shifted everything forward a bit.

Apart from that it was beautiful to look at, ran super duper hot and was damn heavy for a baby integrated.

It never ran out of steam and was always loud enough in my system but I fear my speakers may have been a bit of an unpleasant load for it. For a second system with speakers like u suggested it should sound fabulous. I would unhesitatingly recommend.

Thanks for reply Paul - couldn't help myself and picked it up this arvo, sight unseen as usual if you live in Perth........now will I prefer it to an Almarro A318B, Line Magnetic LM 518iA or Cary CAD300SE Signatures................

Oops.

Smp. I had no idea u lived in Perth. If that's the one from addicted to audio and its red then that's the one I borrowed. I'm in Melbourne.

Too funny.

pweg, it is red but it's coming from A to A in Newtown, NSW. They also have a shop in Kew East, VIC where the AU distributor (who owns both A to A shops) is based - I assumed that you would have borrowed one from the KEW EAST shop

Did they only ever have a single unit which was perhaps shipped between the stores? Can you please let me know on this as I am interested. Many thanks.

I don't know how many units they had. Given their complete lack of knowledge about the brand I would assume they had only one -but again I can't know for sure.

Kew is correct.

Thanks Paul. My pro-forma invoice says NSW shop but I spoke to/ordered from ViC shop and was led to believe unit was in Kew East. They said 50 hours use only, December arrival in Aus (you borrowed your unit 16 Nov.2016 with 20 hours on it already), confirmed unit never loaned out to potential buyers/unit never left shop.............I will not be happy if I have been blatantly lied to - I really hope not. Doesn't make much difference anyway just the principle of being untruthful to one.

I'm sure it will be fine - it is a beautiful unit.

Otoh I cannot deal with addicted to audio.

Thanks Paul, appreciate your input.

Question regarding Amp choice
 

Can anyone tell me if the Lamm ML2.2 will drive Wilson Audio Alexx speakers or should go with the M1.2 Reference amp. Thanks in advance. Cheers!

The ML2.2 is rated at 12.65 Volts peak into 4 Ohms, corresponding to 40 Watts peak.

With the M1.2's load switch set for lower impedances, it can deliver 220 Watts nto 2 Ohms and 400 Watts into 1 Ohm. The M2.2 offers 440 Watts into 2 Ohms and 600 Watts into 1 Ohm.

The Alexx specs from Wilson indicate it needs 50 Watts minimum per channel with a nominal impedance of 4 Ohms, with 1.5 Ohm minimal.

Imo the Lamm M1.2 Ref or M2.2 will be a fine match for the Alexx. I'm very happy with the M1.2 driving Alexia Series 2.

Thanks tima!

I have a pair of original ML2 amplifiers driving a pair of Vitavox CN191. Ahead of the ML2 is an LP2.1 phono and LL1 Signature preamp. The Lamm gear replaced my Pass Labs gear. Here are two videos, one with the ML2, the other with my Aleph 3:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02P4MTTgCzw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLUF6Yzyg40

More life, more vitality in second video - more natural.