Lamm L2 Reference tube recommendation

Old post but I have question . I am thinking of getting L2 but I am concerned of frequent tube replacement. What is your experience about this and how do you know that tubes need to be replaced - by sound ( dull, lack of high frequencies, ?) or inability to maintain 350V on test points 115 and 116?
Thanks

so what exactly are the stock tubes? I bought mine used but it was supposedly sent to Lamm for a full re-tube - I listed above what it came with. Just curious :-]

Thanks

sometimes "waxing poetic" can be confusing

Tvad

I'm not trying to be a smart guy but could you explain to me what "sound seems significantly more organic with less bite means"

Mr M- A handicapped female gorilla? LOL! They delivered a package to me once, and I wasn't home: The box was 10x10x10 and the space between my storm and front door is 7". I had to repair the storm door, because they forced it closed with the box between. Then they had the nerve to try and charge me extra for residential delivery after I paid shipping to the seller(they've tried that 4 times- never collected). I no longer deal with sellers that insist on shipping via DHL.

Rod, its funny you say that. Both days the DHL girl delivered she said she couldn't lift the package because she hurt her back. I had to unload it! Why would a company send out someone that can't even do the job? Unbelievable!

DHL strikes again!! I believe the have a hire-the-handicapped-gorilla corporate policy. Happy listening!

well, I finally got the L2 yesterday. DHL lost the PS crate but were finally able to locate it ;) The pre came with Dumont 12BE3's, a RCA 5651 and a Sylvania 12ax6wa. Once I get my Innersound xover repaired I'll be able to check it out ;)

Between the RCA and Raytheon, I prefer the Raytheon. It is just slightly more natural in its presentation. The difference is small.

I dont think you'll find much improvement tube rolling with the L2. The most important thing is to check the voltage output of the power supply as specified in the manual. Slight deviations, usually loss in power will make it sound dark and veiled. Unfortunately I found myself making this adjustment weekly and replacing the tube monthly making it too high maintenance for my taste.

The thing is there is swapping signal tubes and swapping power supply tubes. The LL2 is a tubed pre with a tubed signal path. The L1 and L2 are solid state with tubed power supplies. So in a well designed circuit, there is less of a difference with swapping tubes in the ps.
But in my case with the L1, the difference was easy to identify albeit small.

I feel guilty, I never tried that in my L2R but I am interested in your results

My mantra has always been "let our ears and wallets guide us". Having said that I just would not (even if I had that kind of coin) shell out that much money. To have heard the ML3 amps however is almost like having an out of body experience

Tvad

The man is a genius

I had opportunity to have on loan his newly released ML3 Signature amps and IMHO there isn't a better amp in the galaxy. Now if I had $140K lying around I would buy a pair in a heartbeat

I bought a pair of Mullard NOS 12AX7's for my ML 2.1 (circa 1957). The sound was good but very mellow and laid back. Cymbals sounded like cymbals when I put back the chosen tubes by Vladimir. Trust me he knows how to voice his components and IMO tube rolling will produce different sound. What the listener needs to ask of himself is "Am I hearing something different or am I hearing something better?"

Tvad said, " he might select tubes based on availability." I'd say seven out of ten times that, and price are the primary factors in a manufacturer's choice of stock tubes.

good point Oneobgyn. I was curious because I changed out the single 6922/6dj8 in the M1.2's. I used Amperex Bugle Boy's that made a nice difference - more air and detail etc.. ;-)
Thanks

Vladimir knows best how to voice his equipment and uses tubes speciific for that purpose. My advice is to go with what he uses as it works best in his gear.

thanks for the recommendations ;-) I'll give them a try.

I have the L1 and the power supply has a similar tube complement, 12AX7, 6C19, 5651, but not 12AX3.
I have found that there can be small changes with different 5651's. See what you can find and give it a try.

There is no substitute for the Russian 6C19P regulator(unfortunate, as the regulator of a tube pre-amp or power amp's power supply can yield much in the way of sonic improvement). The voltage reference tube(5651) can be found in a Raytheon, Sylvania, RCA, National, GE- but stick with the 5651 as it's voltage is 87 and the 5651A's(or WA) is 85.5. They are cheap enough($5 to $10 NOS) that you can try different ones to see if there's any difference in sound for fun. You might try a Mullard CV2573, and see if that lends a different flavor to the sound.

I'm not the only one that has one of these am I? ;-)