Lamm Industries LP2.1 Phono Preamplifier
The LP2.1 brings vinyl to life with exceptionally low noise, richly convincing tone and an unforced sense of acoustic space. Tim Aucremann of Positive Feedback found its dual-mono tube design especially compelling for tonal realism, deep articulate bass and cohesive large-scale dynamics. Separate MM and MC inputs add practical flexibility to this deeply musical, cartridge-revealing phono stage.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
93/100
Cartridge Compatibility
87/100
Build Quality
85/100
Value for Money
94/100
Pros
Exceptionally quiet tube performance preserves clarity and reveals cartridge and recording differences.
Richly realistic tonal color, dense midrange weight and full, articulate low bass support natural instrumental timbre.
Conveys convincing acoustic space and remains composed through demanding orchestral dynamic peaks.
Separate MM and MC inputs provide straightforward compatibility with both cartridge families.
Cons
Fixed 400-ohm MC loading offers less adjustment flexibility than many modern high-end phono stages.
Leading transients are slightly more relaxed, and ultimate top-octave extension is not its primary strength versus high-contrast alternatives.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 93/100
The LP2.1 is described as an unusually quiet, neutral and highly revealing tube phono stage with substantial tonal density and a convincing sense of acoustic space. Its presentation favors an integrated, natural whole over overtly etched contrast, while retaining strong scale, color and musical life.
Transparency Noise Floor
95/100
The reviewer calls it one of the quietest and lowest-noise tube phono stages he has used. Its very low noise floor reportedly left clarity consistently intact, while its neutral character made cartridge and performance differences easy to hear.
Tonal Balance Musicality
94/100
The LP2.1 is characterized as neutral, yet richly expressive in timbre, texture, density and weight. The reviewer heard exceptionally realistic tonal rightness, with clear, pure brass free of hardness and a slight low-midrange to mid-bass emphasis that may contribute to its rich shading.
Dynamics
90/100
Large-scale dynamic events were handled with assurance; the Deluxe version reportedly never flinched during demanding passages. Leading-edge transients were said to be slightly more relaxed than through high-contrast alternatives, but the presentation remained lively rather than soft or dull.
Soundstage Imaging
93/100
The reviewer found the LP2.1 especially adept at conveying sound in space. It reproduced a tam-tam with room-filling bloom and development, while the dual-mono design is noted for excellent channel separation.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Cartridge Compatibility
87/100
Separate MM and MC inputs, along with a selector/gain switch, make the LP2.1 suitable for both major cartridge types without requiring a single compromised input path. The reviewer also found it sufficiently transparent to reveal meaningful differences among cartridges, though the supplied material does not detail a broad range of loading adjustments.
Build Quality
85/100
The dual-mono tube circuitry, choke-filtered supply and resonance-control panel indicate careful attention to electrical isolation and mechanical control. The review material says little about casework, parts durability or long-term ownership, but it does describe a substantial 41.5-pound component with a purposeful circuit layout.
Value for Money
94/100
Although no current price is supplied, the reviewer directly states that its sonic performance competes with or bettered every phono stage he had heard below $20,000. That is a strong endorsement of its competitiveness in the high-end phono-stage market, even if its relatively understated feature set is noted.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
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Specifications
- Pure class A operation
- No loop feedback
- Specification
- Dual monaural pure vacuum tube phono preamplifier with 2 separate inputs for MM and MC cartridges, selector/gain switch
- Specification
- All amplification stages utilize high transconductance very low noise high-current vacuum triodes
- Specification
- Audibly neutral power supply features a full-wave vacuum rectifier with a choke-containing filter (two chokes are employed), and one solid-state analogue voltage regulator used as the heater supply
- Specification
- Two 6C3P (6C3П) tubes
- Specification
- Two 6C45P-E (6C45П-E) tubes
- Specification
- One 6X4/6202 tube
- Specially designed damping panel
- Effectively isolates all sensitive electronic components from any induced resonances
- Absolutely outstanding signal-to-noise ratio
- Makes the LP2.1 one of the quietest phono preamps available on the market
- High-current drive capability & unique single-ended class A circuitry
- Enable the preamplifier to handle any cable and any connected real world load, while maintaining its practically inaudible sonic signature
- Specification
- RIAA accuracy (from 20Hz-20kHz): better than +0 dB / -0.2 dB
- Specification
- Operates on all world AC line voltages
- Height
- 4.5" (11.43cm)
- Width
- 19" (48.26cm)
- Depth
- 13.875" (35.25cm) Add 1.375 inches for front handles
- Weight
- 41.5lbs (18.84kg)
Manufacturer's Description — Lamm Industries
A Topology Dedicated to the Essence of Natural Sound
Graceful and sophisticated design elements are immediately visible with the LP2.1—a dual-mono, vacuum tube phono preamplifier with two electrically and mechanically separated channels that brings out the most natural of sound performances in the audio pathway.
Design Elements
Model LP2.1 is the next generation of the original LP2 — the first in the line of LAMM phono preamplifiers.
The LP2.1 features the following upgrades and modifications in comparison to the LP2:
- Introduction of many technical solutions that had been implemented in the LP1 Signature (just like the ML2.2 single-ended power amplifier derived many of its technical solutions from the ML3 Signature power amplifier)
- Introduction of the new tubes: 6C3P and 6C45P-E (same tubes that used in the LP1 Signature phono preamplifier), and corresponding adjustments in the circuitry
- Significantly reduced output impedance
- New parts developed by various manufacturers since the introduction of the LP2
- New PC-board material
- Super low noise power transformer
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 reasonable real-world load, while maintaining its practically inaudible sonic signature. When connected LAMM amplifiers and preamplifiers (or equivalent models), it offers an extraordinary transparency of perceived sound and recreates a three dimensional soundstage within the home.
Components
All amplification stages utilize high transconductance very low-noise, high-current vacuum triodes. No loop feedback is employed.
The LP2.1 features a very accurate passive RIAA EQ network. The preamplifier’s audibly neutral power supply features a full-wave vacuum rectifier which, with a choke-containing filter, helps reduce the hum and buzz to almost negligible levels and ensures a variety of dynamic range without coloration. A solid-state analog voltage regulator is used as a heater supply. Other features include two sets of inputs for each channel and gain/selector switches for MM and MC cartridges.
A distinctive electronic protection circuitry mutes the outputs until the LP2.1 has stabilized once switched on; it also automatically mutes the preamplifier both in case the AC line voltage drops or is interrupted and when the unit is switched off.
Each preamplifier is carefully handcrafted with the finest materials, including military-grade low noise Dale metal film resistors; 1% tolerance RCD wire-wound resistors; Electrocube and Vishay/Roederstein film capacitors; high frequency switching grade Cornell Dubilier electrolytic capacitors; Fischer “Camac” connectors; specially selected, military-grade, low-noise, long-life vacuum tubes; and a custom-designed, super-low noise power transformer.
The LP2.1 is especially effective for large systems with speakers of reference quality, making it possible to recreate the unique qualities of LPs. The LP2.1 is designed for use with a superior audio system and is capable of reproducing sound on par with recording studio quality or a live concert hall music event. It works well in recording studios as a reference preamplifier to control the recording process itself and the quality of LPs.
The LP2.1 is available in two versions: standard and deluxe. In the deluxe version, the power supply stores more energy; all film capacitors in signal path are bypassed by polystyrene capacitors of the highest available quality; and a custom-designed massive damping panel significantly reduces all types of mechanical vibrations which leads to a slightly more extended, coherent, and natural bass reproduction.
The LP2.1 works on all world AC line voltages. Download the LP2.1 booklet here.
Features
Unique topology
Brings out the most natural sound performance in the audio path
Drives any cable and any reasonable real world load
High-current drive capability, in combination with unique single-ended class A circuitry, allow the LP 2.1 to maintain its practically inaudible sonic signature.
Audibly neutral power supply with full-wave vacuum rectifier and choke-containing filter
Practically removes hum and buzz and ensures the verity of dynamic range without coloration.
Standard and Deluxe models available
Deluxe model power supply stores more energy, all film capacitors in signal path are bypassed by polystyrene capacitors of the highest available quality, and a custom-designed massive damping panel significantly reduces all types of mechanical vibrations, leading to a slightly more extended, coherent and natural bass reproduction.
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Lamm Industries LP2.1 Phono Preamplifier
- Absolute Hi End — in-store — Ormond, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Ann Arbor Audio Design — in-store — Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States (website)
- Audioplus Hi End — in-store — San Benedetto del Tronto, Marche, Italy (website)
- gestalt FINE AUDIO — in-store — Nashville, Tennessee, United States (website)
- Innovative Audio Video — in-store — New York, New York, United States (website)
- Maestro Audio — in-store — Tel Aviv-Yafo, Tel Aviv District, Israel (website)
- Technology Factory — in-store — Antwerpen, Vlaanderen, Belgium (website)
- The Audio Beat — online (website)
- The Cable Company — online and in-store — New Hope, Pennsylvania, United States (website)
- USA Tube Audio — online and in-store — Phoenix, Arizona, United States (website)
