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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 !!!!! 
fsmithjack
karmapolice's avatar
karmapolice
258 posts
 
The dart is more neutral than the lamm but in no way bright. It’s transparent soulful right for all kinds of music.

I would only hesitate on a used dartzeel if you have a large room and listen real loud level or crave subterranean bass wherein the dart 100 watts would not be enuf....

If lamm same price as dart and definitely keeping current speakers I would grab the lamm if still under warranty especially if you find your speakers a bit forward......

If you change speakers dart will pair better with broader range of speakers...

I really like lamm but in my second system with harbeth 40.2 it would be iffy combo as lamm too warm sounding to pair with warm harbeth.

The other thing is lamm msrp has gotten far more expensive and used market rises with it....my lamm 2.2 15 years ago bought used for 8k now they run used 13K same amp .....so not sure that is good deal to buy when much pricier now not sure will go up much more but then again who knows....dart used market roughly 13K has remained steady for original model ...there is a dart dealer selling a used dart now at usaudiomart.com so you get dealer support too...kinda nice buy from dealer who sells the used product new too.

Luckily either lamm or dart likely to make you happy so dont sweat it too much but imho if never heard either would buy the better bargain of the two since then you can flip it easier yourself if push comes to shove.





fsmithjack's avatar
fsmithjack OP
712 posts
 
That’s great info. Thanks 
I do think Focal needs a warm amp but dart is an interesting idea. It’s a brand Ive never owned same as Lamm. I really wish I could find a used Ypsilon in US but I just don’t think there are that many out there. I don’t even think that many have been made. It’s a tough call. One minute I’m going with the Lamm and next I’m thinking heck with it. The Ypsilon is made in Greece and had to get shipped here at some point anyway in same wooden box so why not just get from Europe. 
mitch2
4,212 posts
 
@fsmithjack - you might consider calling The Music Room (TMR) to check inventory or to find out if they have heard of any amplifiers coming up for sale soon from Lamm or Ypsilon.   You may not get rock bottom pricing but they are usually in the ballpark, they are very good with packing and shipping, and they do/did offer a return policy.  I did deal with them on at least one set of big heavy amplifiers and they were excellent to work with.  They are located in Colorado and are active on Audiogon.
inna
7,913 posts
 
Ypsilon from Europe will most likely have European voltage requirements. How would you go about this ?
Everyone likes Lamm, just everyone I heard from and of. But you heard Ypsilon and liked it very much.
DarTZeel has no tubes, warmer sounding transistors are not tubes, they are warmer sounding transistors.
speakermaster
738 posts
 
Go to an awesome pair of full range large size vintage american speakers made before 1979 and all your problems will be answered and you will better hear your gear choices.
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