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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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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
7,200 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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fsmithjack OP
712 posts
 
Yes on the cables. I actually sold my Stage III cables and bummed about it. Real bummed but my wife wanted this wall unit bookshelf / TV unit so had to move my Solid Tech ROS4 rack into corner of room so needed 4 meters or speaker cable. I picked a pair of Nordost Frey 2 SC’s which are fine but miss my Stage III’s but it made my wife happy so it’s fine. I actually had full loom of Frey 2 but didn’t really like the IC’s and PC’s. The PC’s are too bass heavy - I much prefer the Audience AU24SE HP I have better and Echole Obsession IC’s better then Frey 2. I bought and already some the Frey 2 IC / PC. I don’t mind different cables for different jobs. I just want the best sound I can get. I owned Kubala-Sonsa Emotion before the Stage III and Cardas Clear before that. I actually like they Frey 2 SC’s a lot just not the other cables. It’s funny they are not like other Nordost cables. They are not bright and or/fast and thin like all other Nordost I owned. They are nice and full. Better then Kubala and sort of like the Clears - a little better I think. I use Echole PC for my Bricasti. It’s funny only cable I’ve ever had that is sort of bright and relaxed. It’s rare they do both but they do. I like it. 
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fsmithjack OP
712 posts
 
Karma police I was thinking with a Dart I would still need a tube preamp though also? A friend has pair of XA60.8 but same thing tube preamp needed. I mean if I buy these LAMMS and these too may need a tube preamp but my hope is I only need a little tube love. I mean even if I need to pick up a NOS pair of pinched waste Amperex 6922 I will if that gets me enough tubeness? It’s my hope. 
Other part of me thinks just say heck with it and get the amp I know I love and just cross my fingers and go for the amp in Europe. It’s the exact sound I want. Risk is not in its sound. I know I love the sound. Risk is shipping. I’ll pay with PayPal so some protection there but still if it get hammered on way over I lose either way. If the LAMMs work they can be here in couple days so safe but then if I don’t love it’s another pair of amps I need flip. Sick of flipping. Want an amp I love. My gut says the Lamm maybe it.? Tough call... 
rsf507
2,241 posts
 
Sorry just don't think a single 6922 dual-triode tube that is used to drive the six pairs of output MOSFET in the M1.2 will be what you are looking for but who knows unless you have a listen. Could be an expensive experiment.
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