Lamm L2 Reference Preamplifier - Hybrid Tube and Solid State - Lightly Serviced

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General:
The Lamm L2 is a beautiful two-piece preamplifier design that keeps the noisy power supply out of the chassis managing the audio. MSRP on this incredible piece was a massive $13,690 when new in 2001 which equals $25.000 today when adjusted for inflation. 

This preamp is a full dual-mono design all the way to the power supply. It also utilizes a hybrid setup with a tube rectified and regulated power supply, plus a solid state output stage. The power supply has the following tubes installed: 2AX7, 6C19P, 5651A, and a pair of 12AX3s.

The inside of this preamp is loaded with tons of top quality components such as Dale metal-film resistors, Electrocube and Roederstein film caps, and Cornell Dubilier electrolytic caps.

In testing we loved the super solid build quality and its non-fatiguing yet detailed sound.

This particular example will come with its original manual and power link cable. It was also lightly serviced in house for future reliability. 

SkyFi Cosmetic Notes:
Both units comprising this preamplifier  are in excellent condition with only a few very small scratches on the tops of the units. Along with a small mark on one of the handles. Overall very good.

SkyFi Technical Notes:
This set received a light service in house. We replaced a damaged resistor in the power supply, replaced one weak tube, and exercised the volume attenuators until noise-free operation was achieved throughout their entire rotation. Then it spent several days on our test and listening rig where we put this through the paces on every input and output.

Ownership:
Single Owner

Connections:
RCA, XLR, IEC Power

General Sound:
Big beautiful musical sound with little fatigue.

Cosmetic Condition:
8/10 = Very Good. Excellent front faceplate, one minor flaw on chassis side or top. See our detailed rating description here.

Working Condition:
Working perfectly and tested in our lab and listening room.

Included:
Unit, manual, and power cord.

Packing:
Will be packed using our highly developed in-house process and custom packing materials.Reviews:
Click Here

Original MSRP:
$13,690.00

Specs:
- Pure Class A operation
- MOS-FET, zero-feedback design
- Dual monaural line-level hybrid preamplifier with a separate power supply

Inputs & Outputs:
- 3 inputs
- 1 tape loop
- Balanced and single-ended outputs

Power Supply & Regulation:
- 1 choke-contained filter
- 1 solid-state low-voltage analog non-switching regulator
- Two 12AX3 / 12BE3 tube rectifiers
- One 6C19P (6C19П) tube – part of high voltage regulator
- One 12AX7 tube – part of high voltage regulator
- One 5651A tube – part of high voltage regulator
- Output muting circuitry
- Absolute phase switch
- AC voltage intensively filtered by special RFI power line filter
- High-current drive capability
- Unique single-ended Class A circuitry
- Enables the preamplifier to handle any cable and real-world load
- Maintains a practically inaudible sonic signature
- Frequency Response: 3 Hz – 100,000 Hz
- Remote on/off switch
- Compatible with Lamm M1.2 Reference, M2.2, ML2.2, and ML3 Signature amplifiers
- Operates on all world AC line voltages

Dimensions:
14.5" x 19" x 13.8"

Weight:
35 lbs.

Approximate Age:
2001

Recommended Cables:
Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Better

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Best

Kimber Kable - Phono Interconnects

Kimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors - Better

Kimber Kable - BALANCED XLR Connectors - Best

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Better

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Best

Testing Process:
We start with a visual inspection of all internal components to make sure that there are no signs of heat stress or damage. Capacitors are checked for telltale signs of predictive failure including bulging, shrunken wrappers, or physical leakage. We also inspect the PCBs for discoloration from resistors or transistors that may have been running hot. On vintage units we often spot check select capacitors for value and ESR.

When we first power on a preamplifier we connect its RCA output to a Sencore PA81 Power Analyzer which simulates real world loading conditions and gives us an oscilloscope interface.

The first order of business is checking that the volume control works smoothly throughout its entire range with acceptable channel balance. This is accomplished by feeding a 1 KHz sine wave into one of the preamp’s line level inputs while monitoring the preamp’s output on an oscilloscope.

We then switch to a 1 KHz square wave to test the tone controls, loudness function, and filters where applicable. During this step we are watching for equal alteration of the test signal by both channels. This also helps us identify dirty controls that will need treatment.

Once the basic line stage functions are verified, we test each input individually. This is especially important for devices that use relays to select their sources. If the preamp is equipped with a phono stage we test that as well. We use an inverse RIAA filter which allows us to feed a reference test signal into the phono input with the proper RIAA equalization and level. A square wave or sine sweep is used to verify that the device’s phono stage is faithfully reproducing the RIAA curve. If the preamp under test has balanced inputs and/or outputs these are tested as well.

We finish up our bench testing with a listening test with our bench amplifier and reference speakers. During this test we check for hum or hiss that may not have shown up in earlier testing. We also check that all of the tone controls and filters perform as expected.

If the preamplifier has remote control functions these are also tested. Preamps with tube circuits or complicated power supply topologies are connected at our long term test rig for extended stress testing under real world conditions.