Does anyone use Lamm M1.1's in their system now?

Hi Brooksl,

I have only heard the Tenor 300 hybrid, in both its prototype incarnation and it recent incarnation, and only at shows. However, based on these experiences and what I know of the design and designers of the two amplifiers, I would say that both the M1.1, 1.2, 2.1, and 2.2 and the Tenor 150 are good choices and are more or less comparable in general terms.

No, I know that doesn't help, but don't worry, I won't wimp out, lol. To contrast the two, one can think about the Tenors as being mostly tube based with a little solidstate thrown in for additional power and stabilization. One can think about the Lamm as mostly solid state with some tubes thrown in for additional musicality and naturalness. They both try to use the best of both technologies. They also both run hot. The tenor is quite a bit longer than the lamm, with a somewhat more polished look. Oops, I'm back to not helping again.

I think Lamm has a more stately, majestic, romantic, powerful kind of sound (as a friend commented to me once - think of old Russian art masterpieces or the old Russian classical masters like Rachmonanov). I think of Tenor as having a voiced their amps to have a more firey, dynamic, detailed, almost adrenaline-based sound (I often think of Flamenco music when I think of Tenor).

You may find that you really do not know which of these styles you prefer - or you may find that you prefer one style sometimes and the other style another time.

Sometimes it really does come down to 1) the nitty gritty system matching issues: how does each amp work with your speaker, with your cables and room and sources and the music you like to most often play and 2) the ergonomics issues: heat, size, maintenance, attractiveness, and pride-of-ownership, etc.

Nope, I don't think that helped at all. Well, these amps are pretty comparable and you are just gonna have to do some listening. Geez, that sounds like fun, you say?. It can be - getting blown away by new gear can be quite exhilerating... But you also might be right back where you sit now if BOTH amps happen to blow you away...

Many dealers will send out amps for audition to serious inquiries - assuming they have one available. Or you can try borrowing one from a very, very, very good friend... that works too.

Enjoy!
Mike

Mike, Thank you. Your descriptions are very helpful. You are right, however, I will need to listen. If you don't mind one last quesiton: The Joule Electra VZN-100 is the other amp that I am seriously considering. I originally was only thinking about the Joule. Then, I thought that the hybrids might run cooler, require less maitenance, and perhaps have a little better low end extention/control. Next Thursday, I will ahve the pleasure of hearing the Rights of Passage by Joule Electra. They will probably create an expection in me that I am not financially prepared to meet. What I hope is that the VZN-100s sound similar - just with less power. The next step is to hear the Tenor or the Lamm. Thanks for your input. Your posts are very helpful

I purchased a pair of M1.1's one year ago. In my country the price is very hefty (a new car comes to mind), but their performance is really first rate.
I use them with Sonus Faber Guarneri's.

I have enjoyed reading this thread. I have the Tenor 300's. They do not run hot. The OTL's run not only hot but very hot. I have had OTL's in my room. With all great equipment you can really tell the differences with cables. I won't go there but comparing the two both are wonderful but the Hybrid's win in a few areas. The main one being if you blow the output tube you have to do more than replacing the tube you have to send the amp back to Tenor. I have know people who have had the Lamms and made the switch to the Tenors but not the other way around.

as another Tenor 300 watt hybrid owner, i mostly agree with Mike regarding the contrast between the Tenor hybrid and Lamm M1.1. where i would disagree to some degree, would be that in living with them on a daily basis, they have plenty of weight and sense of control and are never lean or lightweight sounding.

the Tenors are very energetic, and to my particular tastes, are more 'alive' sounding than the Lamm. but your Audio Physic's are a fairly 'alive' sounding speaker.....so it may come down to balance and tastes. both these amps are excellent.

i haven't heard the Lamm M1.2's or the Tenor Stereo hybrid 150's.