Lamm CES 2017

[Guest]

I posted this elsewhere but figured this was a good spot.

As usual for their CES presentation, Lamm will have two rooms:



Last year they shot for a million dollar room but it didn't pan out. Trying again this year.


Note the M1.2 Ref hybrid amp is in both rooms. :-)

[Rob]

Do they run your FICO score and request last years tax returns before letting you in the room?

[JCOConnell]

$169K just for cables???

[Bill Hart]

I don't know about those cables, but with Lamm's SET amps, at least the older ones, once you get past the price of entry, Lamm is extremely reasonable- tubes aren't crazy, getting Vlad to check something isn't a big deal (at least if you can get the gear to him- in NY, it is easy). I bought my ML 2 amps used, so they weren't terribly expensive, and they've given me great service for 10 years. Update/repair costs have been very modest, and turnaround has been super fast.
Wonder if that's David's EMT table that will be used?

[david k]

I don't know about those cables, but with Lamm's SET amps, at least the older ones, once you get past the price of entry, Lamm is extremely reasonable- tubes aren't crazy, getting Vlad to check something isn't a big deal (at least if you can get the gear to him- in NY, it is easy). I bought my ML 2 amps used, so they weren't terribly expensive, and they've given me great service for 10 years. Update/repair costs have been very modest, and turnaround has been super fast.
Wonder if that's David's EMT table that will be used?

Yep, contributing the turntables again this year. The EMT 927 is already a known commodity what will surprise everyone is the sound quality of the Garrard 401 in a decent plinth!

Fully agree with you on the value of the Lamms Bill, still enjoying my ML2 from 1998 daily !

I must be the only dealer on earth pushing Radio Shack wires and stock cords on people ...

david

[MylesBAstor]

Yep, contributing the turntables again this year. The EMT 927 is already a known commodity what will surprise everyone is the sound quality of the Garrard 401 in a decent plinth!

Fully agree with you on the value of the Lamms Bill, still enjoying my ML2 from 1998 daily !

I must be the only dealer on earth pushing Radio Shack wires and stock cords on people ...

david

David-since it sounds like you were/are involved in the LAMM room, any reason why you chose the Ortofon line and at that, the A95 over the Anna?

[david k]

David-since it sounds like you were/are involved in the LAMM room, any reason why you chose the Ortofon line and at that, the A95 over the Anna?

Not our decision it's what Ortofon sent us, my guess is that the Anna is pretty well established the A95 is only a year old and needs more exposure.

david

[MylesBAstor]

My guess is there are more A95s floating around than Anna's. 🙂 Not that the A95 is bad.

[david k]

Could be Myles, I have no idea of actual numbers but A95 is a limited edition product and Ortofon likes to have them sell out like their previous LE designs, A100 is probably just around the corner!
david

[MylesBAstor]

Yes as I commented in my review. Want to be around for what Ortofon has up their sleeve to commemorate their 100th anniversary! Just guessing. Something to supersede the Anna.

[Guest]

$169K just for cables???

I never heard of Tchernov cables (Peter Tchernov.) The name sounds Russian and indeed they are made there. I see Focal distributes them in France.

6 different lines are offered, from Original to Ultimate. This is a part of audio I do not like: the slicing of a manufacturer's product (especially cables) into finely graded performance levels and price points. Maybe it's a marketing concept that works - I don't know - but it leaves me a 'not so in to you' reaction.

The cable market is still kinda cuckoo, at least among some. Points are so high to allow dealer's to give generous discounts and still make a tidy profit. Big dealers get exotic perks and lavish 'training' vacations. I get the business and appreciate where dealers are within it, but the cable end of things seems a bit over wrought.

[Bill Hart]

I never heard of Tchernov cables (Peter Tchernov.) The name sounds Russian and indeed they are made there. I see Focal distributes them in France.

6 different lines are offered, from Original to Ultimate. This is a part of audio I do not like: the slicing of a manufacturer's product (especially cables) into finely graded performance levels and price points. Maybe it's a marketing concept that works - I don't know - but it leaves me a 'not so in to you' reaction.

The cable market is still kinda cuckoo, at least among some. Points are so high to allow dealer's to give generous discounts and still make a tidy profit. Big dealers get exotic perks and lavish 'training' vacations. I get the business and appreciate where dealers are within it, but the cable end of things seems a bit over wrought.

But when drink vodka, distinctions not so big. and what is saying- only money? (said w/ Russian accent)

[Tunes]

No Verity in the Lamm room?
they seem to have paired for several years. Maybe Verity are bringing their Monsalvat speaks with new Verity electronics to a diff room?

[MylesBAstor]

Good question. I'll drop Julien a line.

[david k]

It's been many years that Lamm exhibited with Verity & Wilson we thought it was time for a change. Kharma's new lines are killer!

david

The Monsalvat was scheduled for the "million dollar room' (35-307) in 2015, but was switched at the last moment to the Lohengrin which also appeared in 2014. The other room had the Wilson Alexia in 2014 & 2015. After that Kharma. I think.