Both confirm Mr Shushurin's objectivist stance. Not sure there is another ultra high-end amp sharing the same frugal approach towards appearance and parts quality... Electrocube caps and Hammond chokes...
Lamm ML3 + LL1, at last!
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Both confirm Mr Shushurin's objectivist stance. Not sure there is another ultra high-end amp sharing the same frugal approach towards appearance and parts quality... Electrocube caps and Hammond chokes...
I have liked Lamm electronics every single time I have heard them. I love the sound of Steve’s top-of-the-line all Lamm system. I believe that you simply cannot go wrong sonically using Lamm electronics in appropriate systems.
On girl-with-guitar and simpler jazz music I preferred the ML3s over VAC 450s and darTZeel 458s in MikeL’s amazing system and room. (Ironically, it was also that experience which caused me to let go of my high-power SET/PSET amplifier quest and come full-circle back to high-power push-pull for a single, do-it-all amplifier solution.). I think at its power rating the ML3 is a standard state-of-the-art recommendation.
Just to make a bit of trouble I will say that I would love to hear a direct A/B/C comparison among ML3, Viva Aurora and Absolare 845 SET!
On girl-with-guitar and simpler jazz music I preferred the ML3s over VAC 450s and darTZeel 458s in MikeL’s amazing system and room. (Ironically, it was also that experience which caused me to let go of my high-power SET/PSET amplifier quest and come full-circle back to high-power push-pull for a single, do-it-all amplifier solution.). I think at its power rating the ML3 is a standard state-of-the-art recommendation.
Just to make a bit of trouble I will say that I would love to hear a direct A/B/C comparison among ML3, Viva Aurora and Absolare 845 SET!
Both confirm Mr Shushurin's objectivist stance. Not sure there is another ultra high-end amp sharing the same frugal approach towards appearance and parts quality... Electrocube caps and Hammond chokes...
I took my Lamm M2.2 to a local shop for repair here in LA, they are a renown vintage MAC, Audio Research and Mark Levinson repair shop. They said that the Lamm M2.2 was without a doubt the best sounding SS amp they've ever had at their shop. What interested them the most was that the parts used were common and relatively inexpensive. The part that was damaged was a relay. In a vintage ML amp, the relay would have cost $200-$300, but the relay the Lamm used was just $40.
So...why does the amp cost so much if it's not the parts? It's the art of the design.
Steve Williams
Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
It is curious that you refer to Mark Levinson - as far as I know they did use standard good quality components, not the expensive audiophile paraphernalia - a practice carried by many top brands.
Built quality carries a price - IMHO the Lamm parts are not so common or cheap as you suggest. They use military low noise resistors, massive heatsinks, Lemo internal connectors, exceptionally silent power transformers. Remember that when you see the top photos of the M2.2 you are only seeing the upper deck. Also remember than an hybrid amplifier has an extra cost due to the need to address power supply requirements for tubes and SS, as well as some extra safety aspects needed to design a reliable unit. The fact that it is small manufacturer making a limited number of units must also be considered.
Steve Williams
Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
it's a mom and pop business with Vlad doing all of the R&D as well as the assembly with one other worker while his wife deals with the website, orders, invoices etc
When it comes to second guessing Vlad re thinking tube rolling will produce a sonic improvement, I say guess again as he knows exactly the best tubes to use. In all my years with using his products (over 15 years) the only tube he allowed me to roll was the 12AX7 on my ML 2.1 and ML3 where I have always used an NOS Telefunken ECC803S which is much sought after if you can find them
Art Dudley opined long ago that Lamm pricing had no relation to the $ of its parts. My guess is that is also a piece of why resale value is somewhat low for the brand.
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You mean, resale value is low, or the volume of resale is low (not many selling)
the issue is not Lamm resale, it's tube amplifier resale. obviously this is a generalization, and based upon my own observations of watching the used tube amp market for a few years, then buying, and then selling tubes amps.
solid state amps with good reputations sell quicker and at higher percentages of original retail. again; based on my own experience.
logically there are many more 'move up' buyers for solid state amps. the tube amp intenders are fewer and are concerned about the whole 'tube' quality and 'unknowns'.
Mike,
This is a great assessment. A quick look on Audiogon shows that SS amps sell for 40-50% of their original retail value. The tube amps seem to be much lower, I wonder if most buyers assume that they have to replace the tubes so the sell price reflects that.
Steve Williams
Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
Are you taking into account the relative age of the items in this assessment or can we take this as pure anecdotal evidence?
100% pure anecdotal evidence based solely on my 16 years selling on Audiogon. I have not completed a rigorous study and have no quantitative data to support my argument.
I got four Lamm used units last year. The depreciation is similar or even less than other high-end expensive units - the most sought units keep high prices. And you have to be patient and have friends to locate exactly what you want ...
Buyers should be careful - some used units that show prices too good to be true are not true ...
Back to the VTL's yesterday, after many days of Lamm's - 95% of the time using the DCS Vivaldi stack.
IMHO the question will be: do I want the magic or the real?
Because it seems we can't have both ...
IMHO the question will be: do I want the magic or the real?
Because it seems we can't have both ...
Most
Most intriguing comment...which is real for you and which magic?Back to the VTL's yesterday, after many days of Lamm's - 95% of the time using the DCS Vivaldi stack.
IMHO the question will be: do I want the magic or the real?
Because it seems we can't have both ...
Using recordings of performances I have listened the VTL shows more detail of the performance and the rhythm is more correct - more ambiance, more nuanced voices and instruments. However listening to the Lamm's is more fluid and relaxing, although it clearly hides some detail.
Listening to Jennifer Warmes Famous Blue Raincoat in the two amplifiers was revelatory - in the Lamm is sounds a bit more like old Leonard Cohen recordings, on the VTL it shows more a singer with a microphone in a stage - you feel her moving as she approaches it, the voice has more sibilants.
Back to the VTL's yesterday, after many days of Lamm's - 95% of the time using the DCS Vivaldi stack.
IMHO the question will be: do I want the magic or the real?
Because it seems we can't have both ...
But you are fortunate to have both.
Kind regards,
Tang
But you are fortunate to have both.
Kind regards,
Tang
I will not keep both for long - too much expense on audio! One of them must go ...
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