In answer to the original question, as was pointed out earlier, the ML3 is supposed to be Lamm's best effort to date. Since I found that I cannot get a Federal bailout to buy them, they will have to remain a dream. As between the ML2 and 2.1, I think that you'll find many ML2s are close to being ML 2.1s, as in later production a lot of the changes that were ultimately incorporated in the 2.1 were also in the ML 2s--some of the changes may have been due to changes in suppliers, etc. So you might want to look for a unit with an earlier serial number to get what you're hoping for.
As for the different binding posts, I can tell you that I own ML 1.1s, and previously owned ML1s, which have the same binding post changes as made in the ML2s. While the difference in sonics attributable to the binding posts may or may not be significant (hard for me to tell given the other changes made between the two units), the new binding posts will, with some coaxing, accomodate two spade lugs (for biwiring) where the old ones were almost impossible to work with in this application--this, plus the plate fuse being accessible from the top of the amp rather than requiring me to turn it over and take off the bottom, made the sonics almost secondary (fortunately, I liked both versions, with a slight preference to the 1.1). I like Syntax's idea, as the WBTs are superb posts, I might try that.
As for the different binding posts, I can tell you that I own ML 1.1s, and previously owned ML1s, which have the same binding post changes as made in the ML2s. While the difference in sonics attributable to the binding posts may or may not be significant (hard for me to tell given the other changes made between the two units), the new binding posts will, with some coaxing, accomodate two spade lugs (for biwiring) where the old ones were almost impossible to work with in this application--this, plus the plate fuse being accessible from the top of the amp rather than requiring me to turn it over and take off the bottom, made the sonics almost secondary (fortunately, I liked both versions, with a slight preference to the 1.1). I like Syntax's idea, as the WBTs are superb posts, I might try that.