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In the Forum: Audio Discussions
In the Thread: Initial thoughts about new/old Lamm ML2s
Post Subject: Back on axis with sweet 16Posted by Paul S on: 12/7/2006
I tried the ML2s via their 16 Ohm taps, even though my speakers drop to 4R at about 80 Hz before going back up their average 8 Ohms at 30 Hz. The overall sound off the 16 Ohm taps was more balanced and integrated top top bottom, even in the bass, and I went back to listening on axis, like I used to with my little 2A3s, sitting pretty close to my large speakers. Although I still have issues with bass, it is obviously not a problem with the amp itself, and it is still much better than the 2A3 "bass", of course. Unlike the small SETs, sound remains clean no matter how complicated or dynamic it gets. There is no "cringe factor" as the music cranks up, if you know what I mean. The amp has some almost SS-like control over sound, but it somehow always manages to get out of the way in plenty of time as it puts each note in just the right place at just the right volume. Basically, it seems to have about ideal feedback, where the results are just "correct", not slapped around, held fast, shadowed or muffled. With my speakers 16 Ohm sound is more "open" and yet it is also "richer" (which sounds weird, I know), not that it was "closed" using 8 Ohm taps.
I can imagine that some who read this might get the idea from my descriptions that the ML2 is "obvious" in and of itself, and/or it "intrudes" on the music; but, oddly enough, I have not found this to be the case. And although the ML2 does not "let go" like a small, classic DH SET, the ML2 still somehow puts out music that is simply more believably lifelike music than any other SET (or any other amp, for that matter) that I have ever heard.
Pitch wise, I am closer than ever and I am sure I can get exactly what I want from this amp by experimenting with speaker placement and some minor futzing with my pre-amp, cables, power cords, etc., ad nauseum. I have a piano in the house, and this puppy with my speakers just nails piano sound and loads the room in the same way, too.
I promise to get better words to describe what I am hearing as I get more familiar with the new sound qualities this amp either creates or allows. I am well familiar with the part that is so like live music but I am having a hard time describing the amps' part in it. I wish there were more communicative people using these amps to talk with about them. It's like learning a foreign language without actual dialog.
Best regards,
Paul SRerurn to Romy the Cat's Site