Comparing sound of Tenor 150 HPs vs. Lamm M1.2

Brian. We sure could use more dealers like you here locally. Over where I live, there is only one dealer that allows me to take equipment home to try out on my system and they usually look and question me critically whenever I return something. I feel like I have to make up an excuse.

Back to the original question, I've done a lot of the same research as well. In my experience, those who prefer the Lamm usually do so using the ML2s/.1s as comparison. This could very well be a tube vs solid state thing of course. Don't know if it matters but one is a monoblock.

Brian, I have read your comments about the need to audition equipment and I want to offer you an alternative viewpoint, or at least a viewpoint of a consumer that you might not have experience with, which might help you better understand the viewpoint of a similar customer when you encounter one.

First of all, Thom seems like someone who has the money who wants to put together a system, not worry about whether it'll work well together, and start enjoying it. Not everyone enjoys experimentation, and not everyone wants to keep looking for something better after they had made the initial choice. If Thom was looking at an NSX, or Aston Martin, or other custom order cars, the answer would be no, he would not test drive the car before he buys it, at least not where I live. Does it matter that his personal preference (if given a chance to test drive all these cars) would have led him to a car that he didn't end up buying? I don't think so if he ends up loving the car that he bought. When something is umistakeably high quality, sometimes, different is better and sometimes, different is just different. I would like to think that a good system, like a good car, is a good system.

Kharma drivin by either Lamm or Tenors are obviously a combination that works. From reading various reviews on the amps themselves and comments from dealers, owners, and other people, you get a sense of their sonic differences which can guide you one way or another. I would think that only under special circumstances would someone be unhappy with a one combination or the other.

I actually think that it would be irresponsible for a dealer to not respect the fact that I want to buy something at this level about which I have no idea as to its sound. I expect my dealer to offer friendly advice, offer his personal truthful opinion, and take care of me. But if I've made up my mind, and my dealer has tried convincing me otherwise, I expect my dealer to then support my decision(you know a parent has to let his kid make mistakes on his own sometimes. All you can do is offer advice and tell him that you're there for him no matter what he decides to do).

Sorry to blab on but there is a saying that "time is money". Personally, I would love to fly to various places to audition, but I rather use the money on my gear instead and my time for something else. Some people love auditioning equipment, and I think it's fun as well, but I actually think that it's kind of work. When I go for a haircut my hair stylist would always present me with magazines with different hair style. I'll just tell her that I want my hair short and do what you want to do. Imagine my feelings if she nags me for another minute of my time. Ya it's good to know what you want but I tend to think that a professional (such as a dealer) would value a customer who trusts his professional advice.

Tim, knowing Mike, if there was a $100,000 CDP that consistently produces sound that is in every way or even most ways better than the majority of his records played on his Sirius III table, do you think he would at least entertain the thought of getting it? Mike doesn't exactly shun away from CDs and SACDs. If the Rockport table is suppose to be the best of the best and the Meitner front end is suppose to be the best of the best, then I think it's a fair comparison.

Thom, I hope you can manage to make a decision and keep us updated on your progress. Tireguy is right in saying that you'll probably draw better conclusions by listening for yourself. I think if you're going to plunk down the money and really can't manage to hear as much as you can, then you should stick with what you know/what you're comfortable with. I for one know how hard it is to make a decision. Although that's not to say that I'm not annoying when I ask the same questions over and over again :D Sometimes I have to tell myself to stop thinking and worrying and just enjoy as hard as it might seem.

I'm so excited for you. You seem to have known what you want and liked from the start and you're finally going to have a system in your home to enjoy your music! I just hope that all this effort and time spent will reward you for years to come. Hopefully you can swiftly have things dialed in to your tastes and be as happy with the system's sound as you were when you were auditioning the equipment. Congratulations!