I don't know what tubes are in there as stock. If you have a camera post pictures of the tube on audio asylum (tube asylum). Also Tubemonger has a large library of tube photos to help you identify yours.
re-tubing Lamm ML 2
For now, I am still using the ML 2 with my Avantgarde Duos, because they make music visceral and are exceptionally lively with few annoying artifacts. (See my separate thread about the possible need to downsize the system when we move to Austin).
I recently decided to retube everything- i leave the Lamm Reference line stage on all the time, so i am pretty good about replacing the tubes in the power supply. I haven't been as diligent in refreshing the amp tubes simply because I haven't put that many hours on them since they visited Vlad for a fix and overhaul a few years ago. (He replaced the on/off switches, a couple sockets, and tubes).
Needless to say, retubing everything was a revelation (I also refreshed the tubes in the Steelhead with NOS stuff) and added a ribbed 1959 tele to the ML2s. Here's the question, though. I had a few frustrations in getting the tube order placed with Lamm (they are very nice people, but it isn't really a big operation). In digging about on the subject, I discovered that Vlad, and only Vlad, knows what tubes work in the V1 and V2 slots on the amps. That effectively means that I can't retube these things from any source but Lamm.
Which may be fine (although it can be a little frustrating) while Vlad is still on this mortal coil. But what happens in the future? Is there a way to get the tubes tested to match the requirements of v1 and v2 slots?
I have used tube amps since the late 60's ( I even have some of those old pieces, from Quad and ARC and they still run fine, with the occasional refresh, re-cap, retube, etc.)
I am not dumping on Lamm here- the amplifiers are fabulous- nor am I looking to save a few bucks (whatever mark-up Vlad may make on these tubes is in my estimation modest, given the cost of sourcing NOS tubes, like those in the Steelhead, on the open market). The question is, am I captive to the manufacturer for these tubes, and what happens if Vlad is no longer around?
I recently decided to retube everything- i leave the Lamm Reference line stage on all the time, so i am pretty good about replacing the tubes in the power supply. I haven't been as diligent in refreshing the amp tubes simply because I haven't put that many hours on them since they visited Vlad for a fix and overhaul a few years ago. (He replaced the on/off switches, a couple sockets, and tubes).
Needless to say, retubing everything was a revelation (I also refreshed the tubes in the Steelhead with NOS stuff) and added a ribbed 1959 tele to the ML2s. Here's the question, though. I had a few frustrations in getting the tube order placed with Lamm (they are very nice people, but it isn't really a big operation). In digging about on the subject, I discovered that Vlad, and only Vlad, knows what tubes work in the V1 and V2 slots on the amps. That effectively means that I can't retube these things from any source but Lamm.
Which may be fine (although it can be a little frustrating) while Vlad is still on this mortal coil. But what happens in the future? Is there a way to get the tubes tested to match the requirements of v1 and v2 slots?
I have used tube amps since the late 60's ( I even have some of those old pieces, from Quad and ARC and they still run fine, with the occasional refresh, re-cap, retube, etc.)
I am not dumping on Lamm here- the amplifiers are fabulous- nor am I looking to save a few bucks (whatever mark-up Vlad may make on these tubes is in my estimation modest, given the cost of sourcing NOS tubes, like those in the Steelhead, on the open market). The question is, am I captive to the manufacturer for these tubes, and what happens if Vlad is no longer around?
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- 5 posts total
- 5 posts total