Lamm L2 Reference tube recommendation

07-02-08: Oneobgyn
Vladimir knows best how to voice his equipment and uses tubes speciific for that purpose.

I'm not sure about that. Vladimir may select his tubes based on how he likes the component to sound, or he might select tubes based on availability. When I asked Lamm about retubing a L2 Reference, I was told most of the tube types were sourced from several different manufacturers (Sylvania, GE, RCA). Only the 6C19 Russian tube was limited to one manufacturer.

When I changed the stock tubes to Mullard Blackburns in my Lamm LL2 Deluxe, the sound and performance of the preamp improved substantially.

BTW, tubes for the L2 are incredibly inexpensive. I recently retubed a L2 Reference for less than $50 with brand new tubes purchased from E-Bay sellers. Lamm wanted about five times more for tubes purchased through them.

Tvad said, " he might select tubes based on availability." I'd say seven out of ten times that, and price are the primary factors in a manufacturer's choice of stock tubes.

I bought a pair of Mullard NOS 12AX7's for my ML 2.1 (circa 1957). The sound was good but very mellow and laid back. Cymbals sounded like cymbals when I put back the chosen tubes by Vladimir. Trust me he knows how to voice his components and IMO tube rolling will produce different sound. What the listener needs to ask of himself is "Am I hearing something different or am I hearing something better?"

What the listener needs to ask of himself is "Am I hearing something different or am I hearing something better?"
Oneobgyn (System | Reviews | Answers)

Excellent point.

In my case, I heard something preferable.

I have read on several occasions that Vladimir does not voice his components by listening, but that he designs by testing and measuring. This comment has been repeated in several reviews.

Tvad

The man is a genius

I had opportunity to have on loan his newly released ML3 Signature amps and IMHO there isn't a better amp in the galaxy. Now if I had $140K lying around I would buy a pair in a heartbeat