i have not heard the Lamm L1 or LL2 but i have had the Lamm L2 and the BAT VK-50SE in my system for about a week each. also, i own the Lamm LP2 phono stage and have had the BAT VK75SE amp in my system so i have some familiarity with the design direction of each manufacturer.
the Lamm is quite a bit more refined and transparent than the BAT, i prefer the Lamm's more neutral presentation. both the Lamm and the BAT image well and present and wide and deep soundstage when the recording provides it.....the BAT may be slightly bloomier at the expense of detail and transparency. the Lamm will tend to have a wonderful ease and textural richness that it's neutrality allows. i would guess that the less expensive Lamm preamps are similar to the L2, just not quite as transparent. the noisefloor of the Lamm is lower than the BAT which will give you blacker blacks......but the less expensive Lamm preamps will probably not be quite as quiet as the L2.
both the Lamm and BAT have excellent bass performance and 'jump factor'. they are both quite musical and natural. i prefer the better articulation from the Lamm but the BAT is plenty satisfying as far as pace and flow of the music.
the BAT is a full-feature preamp with a wonderful remote and interface......in contrast the Lamm is basic and minimalist.
i think both of these excellent products would be good choices.
btw, my passive Placette easily bettered the Lamm and every other active preamp i have had in my particular system. of course, YMMV.
the Lamm is quite a bit more refined and transparent than the BAT, i prefer the Lamm's more neutral presentation. both the Lamm and the BAT image well and present and wide and deep soundstage when the recording provides it.....the BAT may be slightly bloomier at the expense of detail and transparency. the Lamm will tend to have a wonderful ease and textural richness that it's neutrality allows. i would guess that the less expensive Lamm preamps are similar to the L2, just not quite as transparent. the noisefloor of the Lamm is lower than the BAT which will give you blacker blacks......but the less expensive Lamm preamps will probably not be quite as quiet as the L2.
both the Lamm and BAT have excellent bass performance and 'jump factor'. they are both quite musical and natural. i prefer the better articulation from the Lamm but the BAT is plenty satisfying as far as pace and flow of the music.
the BAT is a full-feature preamp with a wonderful remote and interface......in contrast the Lamm is basic and minimalist.
i think both of these excellent products would be good choices.
btw, my passive Placette easily bettered the Lamm and every other active preamp i have had in my particular system. of course, YMMV.