What preamp for Lamm M1.2 ?

Interesting regarding the AA sounding better through a preamp. My Resolution Audio Opus 21 is the exact same way.
(Although, I take advantage of the option to bypass the volume control completely by using the DIN output, rather than merely setting the attenuation to 0, on the RCA or XLR outputs.)

Why do you wish to upgrade from the AA, by the way?
Have you heard the ARC CD7, and is it really better than the AA?
(I find that hard to believe, given how great I thought the AA sounded.)
I have heard that some modded units sound slightly better, such as the APL moded units, but other than that, I have heard the AA is pretty much top of the heap. (Well, at least unit you start spending $20K, which is completely out of the question for me.)

Well, getting the CD7 is just one of the options I'm considering. The other option I seriously consider is Reimyo CDP777 and EMM DCC2/CDSD. In both cases I will need a preamp though.

Ah, so there are the $20K CDPs I mentioned in the post above!

Just as a thought: Have you considered trying out vinyl?

I have heard the AA (as I mentioned), and it is very, very good! No question, one of the best CDPs on the market.

However, that being said, it still does not equal the sound that a good analog setup can produce. I will not say it will be cheaper than the cost of the AA, (or the Reimyo or the EMM, for that matter!) but then again, it does, IMHO, sound better. (In fact, IMHO, it is much better, to the point that I rarely listen to CDs.)

If you are considering spending that kind of cash, you could get yourself a really good turntable, arm, cartridge and cleaning equipment, and have two different sources to choose from. (And since you are already wanting to get a preamp anyway, that cost won't figure too much into the costs. Just the cost of the phono stage, which is not too expensive. Alright, alright, it is expensive, but not TOO expensive!)

Just a thought.

(Or are you one of those lazy S.O.B.s, who doesn't like to get up to change record sides!
And be constantly cleaning records!
And cleaning the stylus!
And looking for the best vinyl version of your favorite LP!
Geez, remind me again, why am I recommending vinyl?
Oh yeah, it sounds better!)
:-)

I had the same problem with my Lamm M1.1's and went to the Rowland Synergy IIi (I ran it off of batteries) or the higher end Rowland Preamp. Plenty of Volume gain and 0.5dB volumn increments with a Remote Control. I tried CJ preamp and it was either too loud or too soft. I ran the Rowland Balanced.

Elberoth2,

I'm guessing I'm the one Kurt mentioned with the Capitole direct to the M2.1s. I haven't tried a good preamp in my system yet, so I can't give you an idea of whether it improves the Capitole. I'm pretty happy running direct, but I'm under the impression that a good preamp will improve things. I guess it doesn't matter though, since my Capitole doesn't have analog inputs, and I'm working towards adding a turntable. Gotta get a pream whether I like it or not...

For a long time, I said I'd never buy a Lamm preamp because of the dual volume knobs and lack of remote control. I consider this stuff to be a luxury, and a luxury doesn't reqire me to actually walk to the equipment to turn the volume up or down. After some thinking (and falling in love with the L2 in other systems) I've decided I can deal with it. I haven't really gotten over the idea of no remote for volume, I've gotten around it... When I'm seriously listening, I almost never change the volume. If I really need to, there's always the volume control on the Capitole. I don't see myself moving to anything other than the AA Prestige or the Meitner setup, so I'll probably always have a volume control.

And, I have to agree with Kurt about analog. I've heard the Meitner CDSD/DCC2, the Audio Aero Prestige, and the Brinkmann Balance turntalbe (Brinkmann arm, Lyra Titan cartridge, Lamm LP2 phono) in the same system at the same time. LP vs CD, it was no contest. The Brinkmann walked all over digital. LP vs SACD, it was close. I preferred the Brinkmann here again, but I can see someone with different taste preferring the Meitner there. The Prestige was fairly new, and I think not fully broken in yet. I've heard it sound better since then.

Steve