Lamm LL2.1 Deluxe "DC Offset"?

That's crazy. Anything purchased new from a dealer should be delivered in perfect working condition. If they can't resolve the problem, get something else. Jesus, why would you bother buying new from a dealer except for the support? Otherwise, you may as well buy used and pay half the price.

Hi Chayro,

Many thanks for your empathy.

It's a hard long story. Iam on the way back to my home-country and curious to check the dealer, again, what is the story, they have been silent since I drop the unit for the second time. Learning from the 2 months strugle of getting their admittance that there is a real serious problem, I have to manage myself to get ready of being disappointed.

Contacting the manufacturer did not give any help, they shift it to the dealer. Seem they rely to the dealer's technician which I doubtly can realy manage in finding the real problem on it.

I agree with Syntax, it is something not common. The issue and challange then is how to find the root of the problem, and this should be managed by the manufacturer who realy know the design and topology of the unit, not leave it to the free-lancer technician.

Vladimir himself should take this unit back!One of the following should be done.
Repair it properly.
Replace it with a new unit
Refund your money in full.
This is a high cost component purchased new with a warranty. Something isn`t right with the Manfactuer`s response.

"Contacting the manufacturer did not give any help, they shift it to the dealer."

Whenever Lamm tries to say that you need to resolve the problem with "your dealer," remind them that THEY chose the dealer to sell their product, which makes it THEIR dealer you are having the problem with.

At this point I would demand that Lamm take back the unit and either replace it or give you your money back. And if you don't get satisfaction, then join every audio forum you can find and tell your story. Eventually the negative publicity will get so bad that they will be forced to take care of you.

Charles1dad and P59teitel,

Thanks for your support.

An interesting comment and I wish I could have that luxury of choosing among 1) getting a proper repair, 2) a replacement with new unit, or 3) a full refund. I share same understanding with you on how this mechanism supposed to be well implemented in that manner.

The problem is, the manufacturer will not even respond to my email, you may see it in their email dated 14 June when they finally shift the issue to the dealer and that’s it (I will share it afterward). You also may learn that they don’t even have sincerity in trying to find the real problem, they rather playing the game when the manufacturer shifting the problem to dealer and then the dealer ridiculously asked me to talk directly to their technician, funny.

I can envisage that finally they will leave me alone in the jungle. When I talked to their technician, the result is absurdly unbelievable and you will be amazed when compare it to the explanation made by the manufacturer, it’s totally contradictive statement and conclusion.

Below are my communications/correspondences with the technician and Lamm:

1) Dealer’s Technician Explanation (by phone call on Monday, 8 July 2013):

The Lamm’s, particularly in the power supply system topology, is designed to be simple without (AC) regulator inside, therefore it is sort of common that the fluctuation of AC voltage will “directly and totally” reflected to the DC (offset) in the preamp output, as it is. In other words, to my understanding, a fluctuation of +-200 milliVolt DC offset is the consequence of such typical Lamm design, (so it is common to Lamm?). If I may interpret further, it is typical Lamm design to be a very sensitive unit, even to the AC swing/fluctuation as little as 0.3-0.5V, it will directly generating high DC offset fluctuation to the preamp output. Therefore, the technician stated, the unit no need any repair.

The challenge is then, to find a matching power amplifier for Lamm which can manage high fluctuated DC Offset which generated by Lamm Preamp as affected by even low AC swing. (This actually funny and doesn’t make any sense to my humble logic thinking. How long that so called “matching” amplifier can handle such continuous high fluctuated DC Offset assault that generated by the preamp before it finally get broken or blew up?).

2) The Lamm e-mail (dated 14 June 2013, no further reply to my email afterward):

"Your measurements of voltage fluctuations at the LL2.1’s output are puzzling to us because we’ve been producing this model since 2001 and have not come across the effect you describe. It’s hard to explain.

On extremely rare occasions it may happen that the output capacitor C111 and/or C112 exhibit slight leakage which does not manifest itself at the time when we are burning-in the assembled units at our factory. But even in cases like this the voltage at the preamp’s output never exceeds 50-100 mV. Therefore, we view your measured result of about 1V as not quite reflective of the objective reality (this may have to do with possible low quality of measurement device, method of measurement, etc.)

Since the beginning of production of this preamp, we’ve had three cases that were somewhat similar to yours. In two cases it turned that the owners used relatively inexpensive but quite powerful solid-state amps with DC input and output; these amps were incompatible with LL2/LL2.1. When these people were able to replace their amps with different ones, all problems went away, indicating that the preamp was not at fault.

In one case the problem had to do with leaking capacitors, and the issue was easily solved once the replacement capacitors were installed.

In your case it is difficult to judge what’s going on in reality. If you wish, we can send the replacement capacitors to your dealer. Let us know if you decide to do that. Perhaps, you will have an opportunity to try different amps in your system.

We would like to ask you to abstain from making irresponsible statements about quality control at our facility. Lamm Industries is known for excellent service and unsurpassed quality control. The page with measurements that was sent to you is part of a comprehensive “production report” where we record every step in rigorous testing and assembly processes. This is a confirmation of our statement because each single product that we produce is accompanied by its own production report, which is not the case with many manufacturers.

For your information, we do not usually deal directly with customer – this is the job of our dealers/distributors. Our main function is manufacturing. Therefore, it would be healthier if all questions came to us through your dealer….”

So, that was the strange of comments made by manufacturer and dealer technician.

I agree with P59teitel that I finally have to share this case with any audio forums I can find to wake the manufacturer and dealer ignorance. It may also worth to share it with some High End audio magazine, particularly to those that put Lamm Industries products in their recommended component list. But still, I hope I can manage my frustration and get their sincere attention before I finally come to that ultimate position.

I think I also need Syntax help and confirmation, since is very difficult to get from either manufacturer or dealer about what is really the design of the Lamm LL2.1, whether this true that the Lamm is designed that way.

Any other thought from folks of this forum would be highly appreciated.