CES 2014

The complete Lamm system on the 35th floor, whose total retail cost, including $216,070 for the Lamm components, $120,000 for the Verity Audio Lohengrin II S speakers, and $100,000 for the Tech DAS Airforce 1 turntable, along with Kubala-Sosna cabling, was a mere $670,071. But my brief was to cover amplification and shown only in passive display was Lamm Industries' new LP2.1 class-A, dual-monophonic tube phono preamp ($8590 regular, $8890 deluxe.)

The LP2.1 (above) offers two separate units for MM and MC cartridges. No loop feedback is employed. The regular version weighs 22 lbs; the deluxe, whose power supply stores more energy, whose film capacitors in the signal path are bypassed by "highest quality" polystyrene caps, and whose "massive" custom damping panel reduces mechanical vibrations, weighs 41.5 lbs.