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LAMM M1.2 - Feedback - Advice - Please - anyone heard these?

Folks - anyone that can share anything about LAMM or specifically the M1.2 would be greatly appreciated. 
Looking for thoughts on these or LAMM in general. I have never owner this brand and want some advise / feedback and to learn more from actual people / other members.
To provide this you

DON’T NEED TO READ ANY FUTHER.

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If you want to know why and what my thinking then please read on.

Thanks so much for anything you can share. 
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So here’s what I am up against. 
I want / need that tube goodness in my sound but must also have that SS grip, bass control, transparency and image precision.


Have been looking and trying for the right amp and/or Pre combo mix.
SS alone doesn’t get me there - need that tubeness that only tubes can offer but I only want a little or just enough of that tube goodness.

What I also need just as much or even more is that SS transparency and their hold and tightness and precision. My speakers are not hard to drive but still tube amps are too loose - too wide and soft. Not enough specificity and SS is missing something as well. That natural, real closeness only tubes offer. I need the right blend. 
If I was to guess the sound would be say 83% SS and 17% tubes. Transparency, grip, precision and control is so important to me but then bathed in just the right amount of enough tubeness to just hit the nail right on the head. Yes it’s a tough and picky ask. 

The tube sounding SS gear Pass and Soulution doesn’t get me there. 
SS amps and Tube preamp have not got me there. Each time I tried a different combo I ended up liking my DAC direct over the tube preamp and that of course was not getting me. 
My speakers are pretty easy to drive Focal Sopra 2. I love these. They are bright, tight and raw. Their brightness needs to be tamed with a musical and warmish sounding source and warmish sounding sounding amp/Pre combo. 
My source is a Bricasti M1SE DAC / built in Roon End Point Ethernet Streamer and Preamp all in one. I love the Sopra 2 because they act like monitors with bass. They have the transparency and precision like a monitor. I liked better then Sopra 3 that is more like an excellent floorstander then imitating a monitor with bass. I like Sopra 2 better then my former Magico S5 MKII I had before also. I’ve learned over time what I like and what is most important to me. Extension, speed, transparency, image and sound precision and I don’t need all world bass slam but enough decent bass to do the music justice. Monitor can’t do this without subs but I also need coherence which is so important to the precision and transparency. That is why subs don’t work for me and Sopra 3 or S5 MKII didn’t work also. The Sopra 2 is a monitor lovers dream with monitor like everything but better dynamics and bass but I regress.  With all of this said I’m thinking maybe this LAMM M1.2 can pull off what I’m hoping for and if anyone has any info or similar situation would love some advise, feedback or comments. 
Thanks for the time and help !!!!! 
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whart's avatar
whart
2,979 posts
 
I own the ML2 and owned the L2 line stage. There is something special about the ML2. I know you are looking for more power. I would recommend that you have Vlad go over the amps at some point if you buy them. If you aren't near NY where you can drive them to his place in "deep Brooklyn" it's air freight, which is not only expensive, but probably erratic in these Covid days. 
I would try to get as much info as you can about the units, including their history. If the owner is willing to give you the serial nos., you can ask Lamm if they have a service history. If your seller has had them serviced, he should provide you with copies of any paperwork before the transaction. 
They are likely packed in wooden crates. At least the ML2s were (and I think the L2 line stage was as well, but can't remember, it's been a while). I doubt I'll ever get rid of the ML2s. 
Good luck with your transaction,
inna
7,166 posts
 
I have a different take on this. You might in fact want tube power amp with transparency precision and control of a SS. This hybrid Lamm is in essence SS, you might like it for a while but I doubt that it will cut it. 
JM Labs speakers are often driven by VAC and Allnic amplification.
karmapolice's avatar
karmapolice
254 posts
 
lamm makes great amps.....quality control not great though had a problem with my 2.2 that had to go back twice because of failing part albeit customer service excellent.....

I would say the 2.2 is better for rock music and 1.2 is better for singer songwriter classical and small group jazz......I ultimately sold it and moved on to dartzeel amp and pass lab monoblocks for my 2 systems.....the pass lab monoblocks are more power than you need but the dartzeel amp is often available used and if around 11K would be cheaper than the lamm monoblocks (so one less pricey power cord).....the dart amp works for any music and almost any speaker except for something that is very inefficient.
fsmithjack's avatar
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fsmithjack OP
712 posts
 
I actually just tried a VAC Sigma 160i SE Integrated with XLR and Phono options and just didn’t like it. Now don’t get me wrong it sounded beautiful and build quality was great - but I like a tighter / faster / more precise sound yet with some tube warmth. The Ypsilon Integrated sound actually. It’s mostly SS with a couple tubes in input. I just can’t find any in US under $20k. Actually found one for $19,600. I don’t have $19,600. I was targeting around $10k - maybe $12k. So been trying $5k SS amps and $5k preamps and just missing on these. I found a Ypsilon in Europe for $12k shipped but then I who knows what duty is. It’s like 20% more and then who knows how it gets knocked around coming across the pond. These LAMM amps are here and in my price range but yes my worry is not enough tube sound or maybe not transparent enough. Some say these will be way better then a Ypsilon Phaethon Integrated and I just am not sure. Trust me if I could afford a new one I would just buy the Ypsilon and be done with it but don’t have $20k cash to drop. 
The other thing I like about these LAMM is they were built in 2018. These amps models have been around for a long time but this pair is only a few years old so I like that. Not too far from my home so shipping is not too bad. I mean these are $30k amps new so decent value but yes worry a little about not having enough tube love but folks call these very natural sounding amps. Was considering a local pair of Pass XA60.8 but we know those will need a tube preamp so back to square one on those. 
What do you guys think? Think these have just enough tube love? I don’t need much but enough to be different from straight SS. More 3D, more real? 
inna
7,166 posts
 
Then perhaps you have little choice but somehow compare Ypsilon and Lamm. Another point is cabling. Lamm works well with Purist Audio and Kubala Sosna cables, Ypsilon with Stage III cables. I am sure they work well with some others too, I am just saying what I know.
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