How's the Synergy between Lamm1.2ref and AR REF5

My friend uses the Lamm M2.2 (the 220 wpc Class A/AB version of the full Class A M1.2 ref.), with the ARC Ref. 5, and it sounds great. (Incredible actually - the best stereo I have ever heard, bar none.) I would be more than happy to live with that combo for the rest of my life, if only some rich uncle would donate them me. (So, I assume the M1.2 Ref. should work just fine with the Ref. 5.)

As far as the Lamm L2 Ref. preamp, I agree that I could not live with that preamp either. It is slightly dark sounding, but I could probably put up with, given how musical it is in the mid-range. However the lack of a remote, and the pseudo-balanced design definitely is something that I could not live with.

Good Luck in your search!

I have the combo you're thinking of having. The reason I went with Lamm is also the well-known synergy between the Sasha and Lamm M1.2s. Having a remote was also a major factor.

The combo sounds very good, but beware that the Ref5 break-in is somewhere in the region of 600 hrs or more, so don't jump to conclusions too early. I couldn't say if the Lamms needed that much break-in as both pre and power amps were new.

I'll be frank in saying I haven't heard that many great systems, but in my room the system sounded good enough, with just the mid-range that could use a little improvement. Some tube-rolling with the Lamms could help.

Daisiu,

I use the Lamm M2.1 monoblocks and I use NOS Amperex Pinched Waist 6922 tubes, (as does my friend with the Lamm M2.2 monoblocks.) Both of us feel that this is about the best tube for our amps, although they tend to be a bit pricey, (around $3-400 a pair - Ouch! Thank the heavens that they only need one in each amp!). I did experiment a bit before settling on the pinched waist 6922, and I found that the Amperex Orange Globe 6DJ8's were almost as good. (And, these are much more affordable, as they typically run under $100 for a pair.)

One other thing I found that really helped get the most out of my Lamm amps was using Nordost Valhalla speaker cables. (My amps are a touch dark sounding, and these cables really helped to get the absolute best treble response out of them.) My friend also uses these cables, as does a couple of reviewers @ The Audio Beat, (Marc Mickelson and Paul Bolin), who also use Lamm amps, (the M1.2 Ref.), also, (or they did the last time I checked).

Just thought you might be interested.

No reason this should not be a superb match.Btw,Kur tank.....Those pricey tubes you and your pal splurged on,where actually a "supeb" investment in sound!

I did a little tube survey a few years ago,in my phono stage(of then)and the Amperex CCa's reigned supreme,by a big margin.I tested numerous alternative mfgrs.All the usual suspects.

Most were fine,but those Amperex tubes(mine were a small fortune too,but tested better than any others we knew of....they were really special) were amazing!!...I came just short of getting myself the Pinched waist variey,only because I wanted a matched set.You know how hard "that" is -:)

You are a fortunate fellow.

Good luck

I briefly owned the Ref5 and while I thought the mids and highs were nice, I thought the bass was so soft it was almost laughable, but I do wish I could hear it with the Lamm M1.2 as it has much better bass than the amp I had back then.