New Lamm M1.2 vs. M1.1

Bob, in the price range you are in you should be able to get it all. again, i think very highly of the Lamm amps.....but they like speakers that are easier to drive than the Wilsons. i have owned WP3/2's, 5.1's and 6.0's. even though the WP7 is somewhat less difficult to drive they are still at their best with a high current amp.

"I'm looking for an organic, refined, textured sound which
highlights the music and not the gear."

the Lamm definitely fits your description but i think might not be wholey synergisitic with your speakers. you need an amp with balls.....but also with 'soul'. i use the Tenor 300 watt Hybrids.....more money than the Lamm 1.2's but with quite a bit more current capability (doubles down into low impedences.....600 watts into 4 ohms.....ideal for the WP7). i have compared my previous reference amps, the Tenor 75 watt OTL's to the Lamm 1.1's on numerous occasions.....the Tenor was the clear preference. now the Tenor 300 watt hybrids outperform the OTL's in most every way but have no real-world current or dynamic limitations.

Tenor will also have a 150 watt Stereo version out very soon that will be cheaper than the Lamm but also have enough power for the WP7's.

the Lamms are excellent and will do the things you are looking for.....but the Tenors will do those things better (to my ears) and give you the dynamic head room your WP7's will benefit from.

the Tenor Hybrids don't sound like tubes or ss.....they sound like music.....and just get out of the way of the event.

Hi Bob, Have you tried the Bat 150se mono amps yet? Not only will you double the wattage of the 75se, you also will double the energy storage to 1200 joules. At the same time you cut the output impedance in half. These factors will improve the bottom end performace considerably over what you heard with the stereo 75se. Also all of the other qualities (organic) that you enjoyed with the 75se will be improved upon. If you decide to go the Tenor hybrid route please audition them before you buy. While the opinions of others regarding the Tenor hybrid mono or stereo amp should be considered I urge you to please listen and decide for yourself. I recently auditioned side by side the Tenor OTL against the Tenor Hybrid and in my IMO the OTL's sounded much much more like real music then the hybrid. All the best! Tom

I think you should really go to the ML 1.1 the tube ones. not the solid state. if you hear the ML1, now 1.1, you will see what I mean. I had two pairs at one time, sold them, regretted eversince. my only complaint is that with only 90 watts, speaker selection should be considered. amazing amps. amazing.!!! I would even go as far as to get rid of my wilsons to find a more suitable speaker for the Lamm. however, Lamm will rec your speakers with the 1.1 also. Heard the exquisite by Kharma?

Bob: check out this link:

http://www.shows.soundstagelive.com/shows/ces2004/standout_lamm.shtml

Thanks to everyone for your input.

Mike: The Tenor's would be a consideration but next to impossible to audition and out of my price range. Impossible to find used since they just came out.

Tom: I really liked the BAT and probably should have tried to find another.

Lotuss: I've also considered the 90 W tube Lamm but fear I'll run into the same issues I had with the BAT VK75SE.

I've heard the Kharma 3.2 with the Tenor 3.2's and EMM front end. The Kharma's were nice but lacked bottom end extension. I'm sure the Exquisite's are incredible but at a whole different price point.

Rgairns: Thanks for the link.