Your need to audition before you buy is understandable. I lived with a Lamm LL2 for about a week and found it to have an output-to-input mismatch with my amplifiers (Cary SLAM-100 monos). The Lamm over-drove the Carys' sensitive (.75 V) input. I believe the L2 Reference has the same output as the LL2.
My First Sound 4.0 with Paramount Plus Upgrade is a great match with the Cary SLAM-100's both electrically and sonically. If your FS mates well with your VAC 220's, you may need to verify with VAC and or Lamm before assuming the Lamm L2 will work. Since the FS already mates electrically---I assume, you may want to consider upgrading within the First Sound line up. I have experience with the differences among the Presence Deluxe MKII, the PD 4.0, and now the 4.0 w Paramount Plus upgd. I am quite pleased with the Paramount Plus upgd and feel it was on par or a greater improvement than the PD to PD 4.0 jump.
BTW, compared the the Lamm LL2, the FS has a quieter idle noise floor and a lower noise floor during music play as well. The Lamm L2 Ref may be a different animal.
My First Sound 4.0 with Paramount Plus Upgrade is a great match with the Cary SLAM-100's both electrically and sonically. If your FS mates well with your VAC 220's, you may need to verify with VAC and or Lamm before assuming the Lamm L2 will work. Since the FS already mates electrically---I assume, you may want to consider upgrading within the First Sound line up. I have experience with the differences among the Presence Deluxe MKII, the PD 4.0, and now the 4.0 w Paramount Plus upgd. I am quite pleased with the Paramount Plus upgd and feel it was on par or a greater improvement than the PD to PD 4.0 jump.
BTW, compared the the Lamm LL2, the FS has a quieter idle noise floor and a lower noise floor during music play as well. The Lamm L2 Ref may be a different animal.