This is our 2nd listening/demo room. We selected this small, difficult room with poor acoustics on purpose to prove that when properly setup large speakers can perform at a high level in a compromised space. This is an extreme near field experience (6ft from speakers) with horn and dynamic speakers without the large headphone effect.
Depending on inventory and demo requirements the equipment are in constant rotation in this room.
**Click the System link and checkout my other systems.
SZ-1 T Ultimate with MS 282 arm and vintage Decca cartridge
Microseiki SX-8000
A classic!
Levinson No 31.5 Reference
Built like a tank and still one of the best sounding transports ever made.
Weiss Medea Plus
Medea is a stereo 24 Bit/192 kHz Digital to Analog Converter designed with the aim of keeping an absolutely uncompromising audio signal path. Much detail and thought was spent on the digital input as well as the analog output stage. Both have in common the purest possible approach in audio design, aspiring for nothing less than excellence. This is coupled with an ergonomic design that gives the user immediate access to all necessary functions, while keeping an uncluttered and thus easy-to-use front panel. This combination makes a truly professional D/A converter catering for the highest expectations.
Lamm Industries LP-2
Superseded by the new LP2.1! The LP2 is a dual-mono vacuum tube phono preamplifier with two electrically and mechanically separated channels. It features a topology that brings out the most natural sound performance in the audio path, as well as graceful and sophisticated design. The preamplifier operates in a pure class A mode from input to output. High-current drive capability, in combination with unique single-ended class A circuitry, enable the preamplifier to drive any cable and any reasonable real world load, while maintaining its practically inaudible sonic signature.
Lamm Industries L-2 Reference
Model L2 Reference represents top of the line in LAMM hybrid and solid-state audio equipment. The L2 features a topology that brings out the most natural sound performance in the audio path, as well as graceful and sophisticated design.
Lamm Industries ML-2
2 pairs for bi-amping and/or bi-wiring. Single-ended tube amplifier producing 18 Watts continuous into 16/8/4 Ohms. Pure class A operation. Regulated power supply. High current low impedance output triodes (6C33C) in the output stage and in voltage regulator. XLR and RCA input connectors. Multi-turn trimming potentiometers for setting the nominal value of plate voltage and plate current of the output tube. New Model is ML2.2
Lamm Industries M-1.2 Reference
Pure Class A Design. .The M1.2 Reference is conservatively rated to deliver 110 Watts into 8 and 4 Ohms in pure class A operation (high and low impedance settings, respectively); 220 Watts into 2 Ohms, and 400 Watts into 1 Ohm (low impedance setting), continuous.
Lamm Industries M-2.2 Reference
Model M2.2 is the most powerful amplifier in the line of LAMM hybrid and solid-state audio equipment. It is a pure class A amplifier, with the exception of the output stage which operates in a highly biased A/AB mode. The M2.2 is conservatively rated to deliver 220 Watts into 8 and 4 Ohms in a highly biased A/AB mode (high and low impedance settings, respectively); 440 Watts into 2 Ohms, and 600 Watts into 1 Ohm (low impedance setting), continuous. The M1.2 can drive any known speaker.
JBL K2 M9500
K2 is the name of the second highest mountain in the world after Everest. It is also the name chosen for JBL's fourth Project speaker. M9500 was a follow up to the original S9500. The M9500 used the same components in a larger, industrial enclosure. The IET tuning allows deeper and more linear bass output than the K2-S9500, with room response flat to 25hz.
Mapman, these have nothing in common with the K2s or vintage JBLs. They're made by a separate division with its own design priorities. Having said that they're probably pretty good for what they cost. My recommendation is to look for a L200 or equivalent 4300 series studio version as an entry point for the real JBL magic. There are other fine JBL studio speakers from the 70's.
David- i tried to message you through the A-gon system, but it might not work (this was the case with another user as well). You can look me up under my name- william m. hart- nyc lawyer and pop me a message through the contact channel there. Wouldn't mind chatting, best, bill hart
You need to be more specific about the model, they have quite a few product lines with little in common among them. I've heard the DD66000 around but never in my system so I can't give you direct comparisons just that its also a wonderful speaker. My only reservation there is the bass, I think that M9500 is superior. I loved and owned the original Everest along with the K2 S9500, not a fan of the S9800, something went wrong there.
Acresverde, you're entitled to your opinion but you can't judge the M9500 according to your L200, they have nothing in common besides the brand. I go by my own observation having had all of them here using the same electronics. I know exactly what each speaker can or can't do.
I owned JBL L200s for 25 years and I have had my Duos for 14 years. L200s are not in the same league as the 9500s and the Duos are certainly eclipsed by the Trios but to say the 9500s are a "...big step up..." from the Trios is, I think, a major stretch
Thanks Jeff! Vintage horns and Single Ended amplifiers are a natural match and by all accounts the best Single Ended amplifiers made today are the Lamms. I see that you're also a vynil/horn fan, doors always open if you're in the neighborhood.
The M9500 is big step up even from the Trios. The low frequency on this speaker is just incredible. I'm not sure how the Viva integrated was driving the M9500, efficient as they are the woofers still need some juice to come to life. A single pair of ML2s can drive them but they're a little borderline but will sing in an average room, two pairs and you can fill up any size room.
This particular pair is a little special, it belonged to the production manager who was in charge of making the M9500s in the Harman factory. I only bought them 4 years ago and had Greg Timbers, the designer to check them out and upgrade a couple of parts.
You're not that far from us, please feel free to drop in.
Another beautiful system. I find it interesting how often we see Lamm equipment paired with vintage horns (or Tannoy's) and vintage turntables. There is something obviously magical about the combination.
I heard the K2 years ago with a small ViVa integrated and a vinyl source- it was, at least on the source material used, absolutely entrancing. I would seriously consider the Everest as a step up from my Avantgarde Duo once I get a larger space; I'm just afraid that they are not efficient enough for my beloved ML2 amps. Would love to visit at some point- I'm down in Austin during the winter/spring. Best, bill hart
Thanks Dev! The room has horrible dimension and matching acoustics, no point measuring it, specially since I wasn't going to fix the acoustics. This is an extreme example of the kind of space one has to deal with in big cities and a reality for many audiophiles. The purpose here is to show what can be done in a bad space if you know what you're doing. 6' and the speakers disappear completely from the soundstage!
