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In the Forum: Audio Discussions
In the Thread: Initial thoughts about new/old Lamm ML2s

Post Subject: Low powered amps and low sensitive speakers ...Posted by Stitch on: 2/21/2013

When I read raves from low powered amps with such speaker designs I ask myself, is it product placement or is there a different kind of listening among Americans, Japanese, Europeans...?

I made a visit to an audiophile with Lamm LL1, ML3 and Wilson Alexandria (such a System was demoed at CES and got enthusiastic comments - whatever that is worth -...), to be fair, for ME it was 'ok'*, but not better. A desaster with classical ballet music...I mean, there was $400.000,-- in front of me and I asked myself "Is that all what is possible from sonics"?

[*ok means for me, I don't have to cry after 1 minute, after all those years I am very thankful when I listen to a System which does not produce ear cancer after short time...or when I met a System owner who is not a full time idiot]
Later we replaced the ML3 with Lamm 1.2R and it was definetly better, not because the ML3 were bad, but for the Wilsons the M1.2R was simply a much better match.

Back to Magico, some time ago I got an invitation to an owner who showed me his Q5 (at that time the most expensive Magico I think) with the most expensive Spectral gear and 360W monos. They were not able to bring the Magicos to some life. It was thin, analytical and FAR away from the reproduction of the real thing. It had nothing in common with High End. Like a cheap Kenwood System, but louder and more Hype.

Now I read that super review from an 18W amp with such a speaker and we all know what high efficiency speakers with a simple X-over can do with such low powered amps. It can be simply a total different word sonically. Full of life, not a static and dead. Of course you can hear something with Lamm and Magico, but quick dynamic changes can't be possible. Each his own but I wonder why these review people are not able to do a match.The Altar of price tags works very well I think.

The owner of Lamm LL1, ML3, Wilson Alexandria made also a visit to listen to my System, at that time LL2.1, modified ML2.1 but connected to a 99full range speaker System with a X-over which is not a black hole for the connected amps. He was totally amazed, he heard details, body, Soundstage, tonal differences, he never heard before and at the end it was frustrating for him. He spent so much money in the hope to get the best musical reproduction and then he realized he was far away from that. Simply based on hyped mismatches from the press ...

I also have some 94dB dynamic speakers from a Designer who made them for tube amps, they work with low powered amps like ML2.1 but from my kind of Standard - because I know what they can do -, even here I say: Forget it. You have to pay me to listen to such a combo.

Are the readers who can afford these expensive items so ignorant that they have absolutely no idea from matching amps and speakers?

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