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Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Lamm Industries ML-2.1 Amplifier (Tube) by GerryM5

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REVIEW: Lamm Industries ML-2.1 Amplifier (Tube)

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Model: ML-2.1
Category: Amplifier (Tube)
Suggested Retail Price: $29,290
Description: 18W SET Monos
Manufacturer URL: Lamm Industries

Review by GerryM5 on March 04, 2008 at 15:49:25
IP Address: 24.6.228.231
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for the ML-2.1


I was shocked there wasn't a review on these amplifiers already. I'm not the best person to write a review as I have a language-processing problem so bare with me today.

Quick bottom line: The Lamm 2.1's are the best amps I had in my system -period. For over two years now I never wanted to even try another manufacturer's amplifier in my system. IMHO these have to be one of the best amplifiers for many our Audio Asylum member systems except for the fact that we all love something slightly different. Please contest this and let me know.

Context: I have a very wide and very eclectic music tastes. About three years ago my Audio Note (UK), Ankuro 845 PSE, mono amps were sounding lacking outside their wonderful mid-range qualities on my new W/P 8's. I suspected that they just couldn't drive this speaker’s. Find a new amp solution. I first tired the AN Ongaku 22 SET. It sounded sweet and good, but not strong enough for these W/P 8's. Then I tired the VAC Phi 300 monos and they sounded a step better and were very good on all music - except they changed the cosmetics when going to the new 330.1. IMHO was a step backwards in looks. I surely would have bought them had they kept the old cosmetics. Next was the Atma-Sphere MA2 MKII OTL monos they also sounded very good all music - maybe a bit to big, to hot, but really good. I was about to buy them except that a friend brought over his Lamm 2.1's and they sounded the best. Still I had the opportunity to hear the VTL Siegfried's and they also sounded very good - slightly drier than the others. I looked at my listening notes and the clear winner for me in my system was the Lamm 2.1. They weren't the most handsome, but oh, the music they produced over the entire range of performers and performances was truly exceptional.

Quick recording standouts with the Lamm 2.1’s virtues:Johanna Martzy; Ravel and Ravel Violin Sonatas Coup 001. Her violin virtuosity is reviled with these amps. The sweet-ness, bowing, finger-work and PRAT make listening to record a must. The Martzy series are a must have for any classical violin fan. If the Lamm’s couldn’t have produced this performance correctly with the ambience, sweat-ness and PRAT – yes an amp must have PRAT. They would have been out.

Art Blakey and the Jazz Messingers; The Big Beat BST 84029 (45rpm)
Now the Lamm’s stunningly produce the band’s drive, big sound and musical instrument placement. Solo riffs make it sound like you’re there. The horns are sound big powerful brass instruments and not like brassy imitations. The arrangement is heard as the band’s whole-ness is there and then the bass line is just right, clear, strong and not muddy. People love this record, and the Lamm’s do it full justice.

Brahms Piano Concerto NO 2 Claudio Arrau Pianist, CFP 40034
Claudio playing is supred and the Lamm’s get the tones, timbres and dynamics right. Then the dynamic exchanges between the piano and the orchestra are wonderful. The Lamm’s seem to thrive given this complex music and never clip or falter in presenting moving music.

Really, I’ve got to stop. Try the Lamm 2.1’s they are
GerryM5


Product Weakness: Expensive<br>Not a great WAF (big black industrial)
Product Strengths: Great on all types of music.<br>Sweet SET but powerful


Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Lamm 2.1 18W SET monos
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Wavestream
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Basis 2500 Sig/G. Phantom/Koetsu OPS
Speakers: Wilson W/P 8's
Cables/Interconnects: Nordost Valhallas
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Classical, Jazz, eclectic
Room Size (LxWxH): 30 x 35 x 18
Room Comments/Treatments: None
Time Period/Length of Audition: Over 2 years
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): PS Audio PS-600
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Lamm Industries ML-2.1 Amplifier (Tube) - GerryM5 15:49:25 03/4/08 ( 8)