LAMM M1.2 - Feedback - Advice - Please - anyone heard these?


Folks - anyone that can share anything about LAMM or specifically the M1.2 would be greatly appreciated. 
Looking for thoughts on these or LAMM in general. I have never owner this brand and want some advise / feedback and to learn more from actual people / other members.
To provide this you

DON’T NEED TO READ ANY FUTHER.

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If you want to know why and what my thinking then please read on.

Thanks so much for anything you can share. 
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So here’s what I am up against. 
I want / need that tube goodness in my sound but must also have that SS grip, bass control, transparency and image precision.


Have been looking and trying for the right amp and/or Pre combo mix.
SS alone doesn’t get me there - need that tubeness that only tubes can offer but I only want a little or just enough of that tube goodness.

What I also need just as much or even more is that SS transparency and their hold and tightness and precision. My speakers are not hard to drive but still tube amps are too loose - too wide and soft. Not enough specificity and SS is missing something as well. That natural, real closeness only tubes offer. I need the right blend. 
If I was to guess the sound would be say 83% SS and 17% tubes. Transparency, grip, precision and control is so important to me but then bathed in just the right amount of enough tubeness to just hit the nail right on the head. Yes it’s a tough and picky ask. 

The tube sounding SS gear Pass and Soulution doesn’t get me there. 
SS amps and Tube preamp have not got me there. Each time I tried a different combo I ended up liking my DAC direct over the tube preamp and that of course was not getting me. 
My speakers are pretty easy to drive Focal Sopra 2. I love these. They are bright, tight and raw. Their brightness needs to be tamed with a musical and warmish sounding source and warmish sounding sounding amp/Pre combo. 
My source is a Bricasti M1SE DAC / built in Roon End Point Ethernet Streamer and Preamp all in one. I love the Sopra 2 because they act like monitors with bass. They have the transparency and precision like a monitor. I liked better then Sopra 3 that is more like an excellent floorstander then imitating a monitor with bass. I like Sopra 2 better then my former Magico S5 MKII I had before also. I’ve learned over time what I like and what is most important to me. Extension, speed, transparency, image and sound precision and I don’t need all world bass slam but enough decent bass to do the music justice. Monitor can’t do this without subs but I also need coherence which is so important to the precision and transparency. That is why subs don’t work for me and Sopra 3 or S5 MKII didn’t work also. The Sopra 2 is a monitor lovers dream with monitor like everything but better dynamics and bass but I regress.  With all of this said I’m thinking maybe this LAMM M1.2 can pull off what I’m hoping for and if anyone has any info or similar situation would love some advise, feedback or comments. 
Thanks for the time and help !!!!! 
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Showing 5 responses by karmapolice

The used lamm must be much cheaper than importing Ypsilon so try the lamm first imho and enjoy it and wait till ypsilon available in US if you not happy enuf with lamm.....dart is better imho but lamm lovely too why pay for new among these  choices
Hmm well better deal if used from Europe but sells here usa used recently  for $9500 and $12,000 if buy abroad and voltage issue and shipping cost more too....

Comparing lamm monoblocks to an integrated gotta think lamm will make you smile at least as much
lamm makes great amps.....quality control not great though had a problem with my 2.2 that had to go back twice because of failing part albeit customer service excellent.....

I would say the 2.2 is better for rock music and 1.2 is better for singer songwriter classical and small group jazz......I ultimately sold it and moved on to dartzeel amp and pass lab monoblocks for my 2 systems.....the pass lab monoblocks are more power than you need but the dartzeel amp is often available used and if around 11K would be cheaper than the lamm monoblocks (so one less pricey power cord).....the dart amp works for any music and almost any speaker except for something that is very inefficient.
The dart is more neutral than the lamm but in no way bright. It’s transparent soulful right for all kinds of music.

I would only hesitate on a used dartzeel if you have a large room and listen real loud level or crave subterranean bass wherein the dart 100 watts would not be enuf....

If lamm same price as dart and definitely keeping current speakers I would grab the lamm if still under warranty especially if you find your speakers a bit forward......

If you change speakers dart will pair better with broader range of speakers...

I really like lamm but in my second system with harbeth 40.2 it would be iffy combo as lamm too warm sounding to pair with warm harbeth.

The other thing is lamm msrp has gotten far more expensive and used market rises with it....my lamm 2.2 15 years ago bought used for 8k now they run used 13K same amp .....so not sure that is good deal to buy when much pricier now not sure will go up much more but then again who knows....dart used market roughly 13K has remained steady for original model ...there is a dart dealer selling a used dart now at usaudiomart.com so you get dealer support too...kinda nice buy from dealer who sells the used product new too.

Luckily either lamm or dart likely to make you happy so dont sweat it too much but imho if never heard either would buy the better bargain of the two since then you can flip it easier yourself if push comes to shove.





I lack any expertise but to my ears the lamm does not sound bright or harsh and their sin is a bit of darkness.....if you like ypsilon you will like dart (fremer likes both btw)......there is a dart integrated also avail which if you use phono has a nice phono section......the dart integrated or amp is very versatile and transparent and yet just sounds soulful too...the lamm is less versatile but is wonderful in the right room with the right associated equipment and with the right types of music.......

if you cannot find the ypsilon used I would in the meantime get the dart if you can negotiate down the price a bit especially and then if the ypsilon comes available again you can decide then how happy you are with the dart....the lamm could be bought now too but will take more effort to dial in...