BMWCab-Yes, there is a slight buzz to the sub transformers if you get close to the speaker but it is a mechanical buzz, it doesn't convey to the signal delivered by the woofers. I've thought over the years about all kinds of ways to 'fix' the woofer issue with the Duo, including mounting the horns on a more rigid stand (as someone else did~ in fact i thought i saw that pair, or one like it for sale here recently) and positioning the woofers to improve their coupling in the room; trying a horn type woofer, or ultimately (and though more expensive, maybe cheaper in the long run), trying a different speaker. I've really come to appreciate what horns are about, but I haven't really explored a lot of the current systems that are available. I'm also not necessarily interested in throwing 100k into a speaker system at this point in my life. I've become fascinated with the whole DIY thing, I don't know if you have looked at what some of those guys are doing, conical horns, old RCA and JBL, Western Electric (the latter two ain't cheap either, given the demand for vintage horns in the East), but it keeps me occupied. I recently retired from the full-time practice of law and plan to relocate to Austin in the near future (as soon as we sell our house in NY), so I'm probably not going to make a dramatic change right now. I'd love to have a separate building for the hi-fi, and do a room, including a work area, from the ground up- AC power, acoustic design, and space for a wall of all the vinyl. What's your take on the woofs- reversing phase and subtle adjustments to the Xover do make a big difference once the speakers are correctly positioned, but I've never been 100% in love with the integration. (Jim Smith, please don't yell at me!).
Regards,
Bill Hart

whart May 17, 2012 16:14

Hello Whart,

Are you using the 225 subs? If you are, does yours make a humming noise?

bmwmcab May 16, 2012 19:22

Thanks, Greg. I am burning it in as we speak, my regular line stage is down and i am using a temporary substitute which is a little too lush for my taste, so i will not get the full measure of the Allnic until the Lamm line stage is repaired and back in the system. I did manage to get a nice selection of rectifier tubes for the Allnic, and once i am back up and running full force, plan to do some tube rolling of rectifiers. First on my list is a 'fat base' mullard gz 34 first series, but i have a nice selection of others as well.
I also wouldn't mind trying Allnic's DHT line stage at some point, but....

whart May 16, 2012 16:47

You'll enjoy the Allnic

gregadd May 15, 2012 23:19

System edited: photos updated, system in flux while Lamm Line Stage awaits repair.

whart May 15, 2012 15:44

I also need to update the pictures which are somewhat dated.

whart May 15, 2012 02:05

System edited: System updated Allnic H 3000 replacing Manley Steelhead.

whart May 15, 2012 02:02

Mapman - thank you both for your input and good humor. More later.

whart March 02, 2012 19:09

Good luck.

That's a system I'd hate to part with, but the good news is downsizing does not necessarily mean compomising the sound. In fact, its easier (and cheaper) to get really good sound on a smaller scale.

Regarding speakers/monitors, there are some very nice fast and dynamic ones out there at attractive price points worth considering.

One line I would consider coming from horns would be Triangle, either small floorstanders or stand mount monitors like the Cometes. Fantastic bang for the buck and as fast and clean a speaker as I have heard.

Another would be OHM Micro Walsh, 1000s, or 2000s. These are omni floorstanders that are also surprisingly fast and just plain solid all around.

Any of these would be inexpensive to try out prior to going to something way more expensive (and heavy) like Magico.

Many also rave about MErlin speakers as a viable alternative for this kind of application. I have no thard these but would think they might be an option worth considering.

mapman March 02, 2012 18:09

Fantastic rig. I know well the ML2/Duo Omega synergy!

triode November 04, 2011 06:37

Hey, Fernando.
Make sure you have fresh tubes in those Lamms. I had Vladamir 'freshen' my amps after I bought them. He went over them thoroughly, replaced a few odds and ends, retubed them, and turned them around in 2 days for less than the cost of transporting them to his door. I don't know the 1.1. After living with the Lamm amps in my system, I still marvel at their 'completeness.'
Best,

whart November 27, 2009 23:53

Hi Whart!

Thanks for the reply. On the Kuzma Air Line link, it says, "It sucks". Evidently, I have misapprehended this clever prose as a disparaging remark (I thought it might blow rather than suck, if you know what I mean!) :-)

I, too, have been enamored with the Ferrari marque...The Targa Florio - How Cool Is That!! My first sports car was an MG BGT.

Sorry I can't offer recommendations on the A/C stuff. :-(

c1ferrari November 27, 2009 23:53

Whart - I just bought a Lamm LL2 preamp and heading for a good opportunity in the used market for a pair of Lamm 1.1 monos now.... Interestingly enough to drive the SF Guarneri's.

flg2001 November 27, 2009 17:15

Been a while since I've visited. Hey, Sam. Nothing wrong with the Airline. Why do you ask?
I have had a love affair with Ferraris since I was a kid. I have owned a number of them, but none of the early ones, which are now-despite the economy- priced in the stratosphere.
I sort of lost interest in modern production cars altogether. Currently pulling together an obscure pre-war British car (yeah, I know) for use in vintage events. (I like easy rallies, rather than hanging at a concours, or driving the track). My wife and I did the Targa Florio in Sicily a few years ago and had a ball.
Systemwise, I could not be happier. I don't get as much time to listen as I'd like (afraid that's true for alot of us), but when I do, I revel in it. Biggest looming upgrade- I need to install an independent A/C system for the music room that I can operate during the winter. The heat of the amplifiers and associated equipment drives me to distraction even when the central heat in the room is shut off. Anybody do such a system? I was thinking of one of those small "splits" and having the HVAC guy install the main unit in the basement, but I have to do some research. Here in NY, we can get some cold moments in the winter, precluding my use of conventional air conditioning systems when the outside temp is too low, but that doesn't help me cool off the room. (I suppose the simple answer is to open a window, but I don't like playing music the neighbors could hear, and an open window is likely to admit much dust, etc. from the outside). Thoughts and experiences, anybody?
Best, to all....

whart November 27, 2009 13:31

Hi,

What's wrong with the Kuzma Airline?

Best,
Sam
p.s. Ferrari's rule! Hehe, just thought I'd mess with you a little bit :-) Lambos do have a sweet exhaust note.

c1ferrari November 26, 2009 21:58

Whart - I sold my UNOs, back to dynamic speakers (again) Sonus Faber this time - not bad.

flg2001 March 18, 2009 18:29

This was an interesting thread.

What Power Cable worked best with the Quad when you had them?

By the way, I used to own a 930. Drove max speed down california highway once. Good ole days...

stik March 13, 2009 01:56

Mucho Gracias, Triode. I continue to marvel at the overall transparency of the Duo when combined with the lifelike naturalness of the Lamm amps. I also like Porsche- had a 996 GT2 for a while and currently have a 993 hibernating in the garage. Best to you, and thanks for the comments.

whart January 25, 2009 15:44

Kudos on the rig, Whart, I am a big believer in the ML2/Duo Omega synergy...though a Porsche man when it comes to sports cars!

triode January 05, 2009 03:29

Whart - I experimented the same situation having a preamp in and out of the system - I even went to the etreme of trying and owning at least five passive linestages to see what was happening. At the end I had a more cogerent and dynamic presentation WITH an active preamp in the system - a little less transparency but music made ore sense.

Now I am back to integrateds (Meishu 300B currently) - the never ening story!

Take csre

Fernando

flg2001 August 12, 2008 13:36

BGordon- i first ran the system without a separate linestage, and fed the phono signal into the Steelhead, using its variable outputs directly into the amp. It had great impact, and the bass was phenomenal (at least using the Lyra cartridge), but the overall sound lacked body and heft (again, at least with the Lyra). The Lamm line stage gave the system what it was missing- strange that adding an extra stage seemed to improve things. When I asked Ms. Manley about the concept, she voted for 'less is more,' and frankly, I haven't experimented since changing the cartridge to the Airtight, which is far less 'magnificent' in the frequency extremes than the Lyra, but more honest sounding.
I don't know if I could go to no front end whatsoever, since I eschew CDs (or, put more positively, favor vinyl only).
But, experimentation is part of the hobby and when winter comes, I'm sure I'll be at it again. I did dump my power conditioners, though, and have had great results straight into the wall, using the Kubala Sonsa power cables.

whart August 05, 2008 00:33

I duplicate your fundamental setup: AV Duos, Lamm ML2.1's,
DL11 Deluxe Pre. Front end: Raysonic CD 128. No vinyl.
Have bass to love. Have you ever tried NO PREAMP? I now
use a passive Placette remote vol. control. Lamm active
pre is stand-by. Transparent interconnects and power
cords. Power conditioner by PSAudio. Music to love.

bgordon829 August 04, 2008 00:03

Nope, Flg2001: I haven't heard a Koetsu since the early, lush romantic days. I gather their cartridges have only betten better; have no idea how it would sound in the Airline arm. Be well...

whart August 03, 2008 18:58

Whart - have your heard/tried any Koetsu cartridge - I am almost ready on my decision to go for the Airtight as a replacement of my Dybavector XX2 - but always curious about Koetsu line.

Regards

flg2001 July 26, 2008 12:09

Sorry, been absent from the board for a while. AS70- I have a Lyra Titan i but think that the Airtight sounds more of a piece; the Lyra is spotlit in places, the bass is amazing, and the highs are dazzling, but i'm not sure that it creates as lifelike a presentation as the Airtight. Perhaps it is a synergy (or lack thereof) with the arm, because the Lyra was absolutely extraordinary in the more conventional Triplanar VII.
Jason, thanks for the kudos. I have honestly never been happier with a system, and I have been mucking around in this hobby since the late 60's-very early 70's. (I have owned some of the equipment I still have and use that long too, eg. old Quads, old ARC tube amplification, etc.). Best,

whart July 17, 2008 02:07