Model L2 Reference represents top of the line in LAMM hybrid and solid-state audio equipment. It is one of the best creations of its designer's professional career--a result of years of intensive research directed at attaining the most accurate reproduction of recorded music. Unique topology and application of the most advanced technological resources and processes bring the L2 near the threshold of excellence in sound reproduction. A main distinction of the L2 from any other comparable type of preamplifiers is its almost inaudible sonic signature. When connected to an appropriate type of power amplifiers, and especially LAMM amplifiers, it assures the extraordinary transparency of perceived sound and recreation of a three-dimensional soundstage in the home, recording studio, etc., without boundaries and limitations.
Meitner MA-1 DAC
Meitner MA-1 DAC
Meridian Sooloos Ensemble
Music Server
Lamm M1.2 Reference Mono Amps
Hybrid (solid state/tube) Amps
Wilson Audio Sasha W/P
Sasha W?P
Silent Running Audio Scuttle 3
Isolation rack.
Silent Running Audio VR Series IsoBases
Vibration & Resonance Control Amp Stands.
Transparent Audio PowerIsolator MM
Power Conditioner. I have one per mono amp
Transparent Audio PowerIsolator 8
Power Conditioner
Transparent Audio Reference XLMM2 RCA IC
This IC connects the Meitner MA-1 to the Lamm L2.
Transparent Audio Reference Balanced ICs
Interconnects - 25' run. This IC connects the Lamm L2 to the Lamm M1.2 Ref Monos.
Transparent Audio Reference XLMM2 Spkr Cable
Spkr cable - 8 foot run.
Transparent Audio PowerLink Premium Power Cords
Power Cord. I have a full suite of them, one for each component.
SOLD! - one Grand Prix Audio Rack SOLD! - dCS Purcell SOLD! - dCS Delius SOLD! - ReQuest Media Server
Replacing: Grand Prix Audio with SRA Scuttle 3 with VR IsoBases beneath components dCS stack with a Meitner MA-1 ReQuest Media Server with a Meridian Sooloos & Kaleidescape Cinema One
Jfrech, was running dCS direct. Boy, what a difference. The weight and size of each variable in the the soundstage grew substantially. Realism personified.
System edited: The level of realism took a GIANT leap forward with the addition of the Lamm L2. I absolutely love it. Now to have the Transparent Reference XLs tuned for the L2.
Oh man congrats ! I've heard a Lamm pre before. They are VERY good...do you have to get your cables retuned? If so, I'd highly suggest it (just don't know what pre you have now...)
Ordered a Lamm L2 today! Can't wait to pair it with my Lamm M1.2 monos. The system is near completion. I'll be connecting the L2 via Transparent Audio Reference XL MM2 interconnects. It doesn't get much better than this. Stay tuned.
Good decision. The Lamm L2R is true in tone and unique in the reproduction of the human voice. Your System is done right with M1.2R in combination with Wilson speakers. I think you used the dCS as a Preamp, I am confident, when you use their fixed output via L2R the gain in articulation, brilliance, presence and "thereness" factor will be stunning. Happy Listening.
Lloydelee21, ur input is invaluable. I'm currently running the TA Ref MM iterations. Updating to MM2 is the first step I wanna take before going to XLMM2s. I do own one 1M pair of TA Ref MM2 RCAs, which have to be calibrated for my system in time, in preparation for the Lamm L2 in my future, but is not being used for obvious reasons. So I'm a step beyond the XL technology, and a step before MM2.
Thesaint519 - are you at TA Ref MM2 right now? Just curious as to what generation cable you are using at the moment. My upgrade comments are based on moving from 13 year old TA Ref (the XL generation from 2000). That's a big step up for me relative to where you are.
I stand by my comments about RefMM (MM2) being phenomenal...but just want to make sure i am helping you 'calibrate' the uplift between your current cables and XLMM2 since the cost is significant.
Good luck with both. Have you spoken with Steve Williams (Oneobgyn) who is here and also founder of Whatsbestforum.com? He is both a serious audiophile and has a dealer's license with Lamm.
As for HRS...I like them. Period. From nimbus couplers to dampers...the extra thick ones are truly better...and now the M3 isolation shelf. I am told their racks are the ones to beat. I have no doubt Finite Elemente and Stillpoints racks are also great. That said, for me, if i owned any one of them...i am confident i would stop looking for anything else.
If you get the rack...you might still find direct isolation on each item could provide further improvements. Are stillpoints ultras better per price than their HRS nimbus/couplers? maybe...have not done the math. both are excellent. but give it a careful listen and look at the math...just a thought.
Lloydelee21, I love TA. I hope to upgrade all to XLMM2 some time late this year. I also wanna add a Lamm L2 Ref Preamp. We'll see. What has your experience been with HRS? I'm most attracted to their SXR rack. Thoughts?
Jfrech, I'm in NY. Yeah, I've never replaced them. But I also have sold the top two shelves in prep for a new rack. Silverstone, 4 point rack? Let me check the site. I hadn't seen it there.
GrandPrix has a new 4 point stance silverstone stand.
If you've never replaced the pads under your grandprix shelves assume they are worn out. For a few bucks (not sure how many shelves you have)...be prepared for a big bang for the buck improvement. I replace my pads about 9-12 months...GrandPrix says after about 18 months...it's clearly audible...you also may have the wrong weights on the pads you have...this also effects performance on the grand prix stands...
What city are you in?
Yes the 3 point stand can be a pain..with certain cables...but the performance...so goes a audiophiles challenges ;-)
Actually, quite a bit fortuantely...all second hand or just about. Finally, after 5 years of using a $60 DVD player or an Oppo (after the dvd player broke) as my transport to my Zanden DAC...i finally got a 2nd hand Zanden Transport...and also the latest version of the Zanden Sig DAC as well (also 2nd hand).
I then put it on top of an HRS M3 platform, and added a whole bunch of Stillpoints Ultra 5s under my Wilson X1s and on top of my Velodyne DD18.
My 'list' of over 8 years is now fulfilled other than 1 cable upgrade between pre and amp (supposedly the least important IC).
I went to TA Ref XL MM2 on speaker cables...but i also found 2nd hand TA RefMM (MM2) (just below Opus MM2) IC for Zanden to CJ GAT...smokes!
Those 2 cable upgrades were transformational. I could go on and on...but in a few words: the treble is where most of the improvement lay. Far more detail, power and full treble notes without any stridency or veiling. The TAMM2 IC made a bigger difference than the TA Ref XLMM2 SCs...that was a real shock to me. I thought the SC was the most important...perhaps going up yet another level above XL on the IC made a bigger difference?
Goot news for you on DCS...just heard DCS with Kondo this past weekend...sublime. Absolutely sublime. And this owner also has Zanden 4box as well in another system...and he felt that both were equally great digital systems...as long as the system matching was right.
Enjoy yours!!! And let us know if you end up getting either Lamm Ref preamp or HRS racks...;)
No digital updates yet. I've been happily living with the DCS stack. If my recreational funds free up, I'd probably get a Lamm L2 Reference Preamp and/or an HRS/SXR rack before I'd move on another digital front end. Anything new with you?
I've never swapped out the sorbothane pads - ever. I never knew that they would degrade over time. That was a brand new discovery. Secondly, I'm partial to the HRS SXR because it can grow or diminish with my system. The law of diminishing returns is ever present these days, but I want what I want. I know you know what I mean. Although I've investigated the Silverstone and think it is absolutely beautiful, I'd like to try a rack with a four point stance - instead of a three point stance. That back leg would sometimes impede the routing of thick cabling.
Thanks for keeping this thread alive. I so love my system these days. It is really giving me what I want. You GOTTA tell me about those TA XLMM2s. I wanna be like you when I grow up. One day within the year I'll upgrade all my reference cabling to XLMM2s. How much of a difference did the upgrade make?
