2. amps-preamps
  3. 1302898536

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

I am in the process of building a system around Wilson Sasha's and have narrowed my electronics down to either Lamm (1.2 Reference monoblocks/L2Reference pre) or Audio Research (REF 210/REF5).

Both sound great to me, but i have a couple of issues with going all Lamm (lack of remote) or all AR (tube hassle/cost with REF 210).

Thus, I am wondering how the synergy is between the combination of the Lamm 1.2R with the AR REF5?

Is anybody running this combo?

Thanks

Rich
darkstar01
suteetat
435 posts
 
I wish I have a chance to try pinched waist Amperex 6922 tubes but I never even seen one myself. I did tried Blackburn Mullard NOS and Holland Philip/Amperex NOS tubes in my LAMM M2.2.
Basically what I would really like is a tube with Mullard midrange warmth and extension at both end of Amperex. It was suggested to me that I should try French Mazda 6922. I find it to be a good compromise of both tubes. Pretty much identical extension of Amperex with very nice warmth in the midrange but not so thick like Mullard. I am still looking around for more 6922 to try, if I ever find 2 pinched waist amperex, I certainly would like to try them and also Siemann CCA. Thanks god I only need 2 tubes :)
jtimothya
612 posts
 
Suteetat, Try Telefunken 6922/E88CC or 60's Siemen's 7308. The former offers excellent balance of extension, articulation and natural harmonics; the latter has very nice extension (hi & lo) with a hint of warmth, more neutral than cool.
suteetat
435 posts
 
Thanks, I will be looking for those. A friend has a stash of Siemen CCA that I have been begging to try!
darkstar01 OP
15 posts
 
Thanks all for the responses.
suteetat
435 posts
 
Quick question, does anyone know how long the 6922 supposed to last in Lamm monoblock?
After Mazda, I got a hold of a pair of Gold Aero (I believe they are Mullard 7308) which also have very nice midrange and open top but the bass is a touch soft. Now I have Amperex pinched waist but the US version and not Holland (from around the same period, I believe) from a friend which are fantastic. Much better bass than Mazda/Gold Aero, the mid is not quite as rich but better focus and made Gold Aero/Mazda sounds soft in comparison. So far I am very happy but now am afraid what I would do if the tubes go bad eventually :( My friend has another pair of Holland Pinched waist 6922 but am not able to talk him into parting from him yet :)
Sorry for getting off the topic regarding ARC 5 a bit. Personally I went with Lamm L2 Reference when I bought M2.2 . I used ARC Ref3 in the past and was not all that impressed. I felt Ref5 was just a slight improvement so I decided to go all Lamm electronics including phono and found that I actually did not miss the remote all that much!
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