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RE: Lamm hybrids M1.2Ref /2.2 vs.Pass XA.5-series

Posted by Raiderman on September 2, 2010 at 15:20:05:
Well, I've never actually done a direct comparison between amps from those two companies, but I have heard many direct comparisons between the Lamm M2.2 monoblocks and several other high end amplifiers, (in my friend's system), including:
Kora Cosmos,
BAT VK-150s,
Manley Neoclassic 250s,
VTL MB-450s,
DarTZeel NHB-108,
VAC Phi 300.1.
The only one to truly challenge the M2.2 was the (tubed) VAC Phi 300.1 stereo amp, IMHO. (In fact, I would say that they are equals, with each having different strengths and weaknesses - albeit VERY minor weaknesses.)
I have also heard both of the Lamm amps you've mentioned, although not in the same system. The full class A M1.2 reference amps were just a tad bit sweeter in the mid-range, but other than that, there was very little, to no, difference, IMHO. (And having double the power in the M2.2, really helps when driving speakers that need that power to achieve really deep, powerful, quick and tight bass.)
FYI, I use the 200 wpc M2.1 monoblocks, (the predecessor of the M2.2), and I love them. They are just a slight bit dark sounding in comparison, but from the lower treble on down, they sound fantastic and close enough to the M2.2s for me to be very happy with them. (And the used price of the M2.1s, ($7K), is about half the used price of the M2.2s, ($13K).)
My two cents worth anyway.
PS If you get the Lamm amps, I highly recommend doing a bit of tube rolling, as one can provide a definite sonic improvement by dropping in some NOS tubes. The supplied Sovteks sound okay, but can be easily bettered. (The Lamm amps only have one 6922 tube in each monoblock, so tube rolling is relatively easy and cheap.) I use the Pinched Waist Amperex 6922's myself, (as does my friend in his M2.2s), and these cost a few hundred dollars for the pair. But I achieved nearly the same sonic results using some Amperex Orange Globe 6DJ8s, for $40 a pair. (So you don't have to spend a fortune to get good results. (But with amps this good, you'll want to get the very best sound you can out of them, so you'll eventually find yourself doing some tube rolling is my guess!)