Cool tube gear from Line Magnetic ...
- Thread starter joeinid
- Start date
dlb2
New member
Thanks Jerome. I really like this amp. I can run a variety of driver tubes such as; 6L6, 6V6, KT88, EL34... I've found that the driver tubes aren't that different sounding in this amp for some reason. They just have very subtle differences. The preamp tubes make a difference and I do have a back-up set of 845's that are sweeter than the stock 845's but just can't seem to switch them out until these are done.
- Thread Author
- #23
Sounds like someone is really enjoying their amp! I really like the way your amp looks and I am looking forward to hearing one. I have a feeling I'll love it too.
dlb2
New member
I decided to replace my stock 845's with some 845B's. The stock tubes were working just fine but things just haven't seemed as engaging lately. I know this could be a number of things but what the heck. I bought a back-up set of 845B's on the advice of Jonathan Halpern of Tone Imports who is the distributor for LM in the states.
The 845B's have a much sturdier internal structure to them. They seem to exhibit a bit more richness and clarity than the stock 845's. Of course this may be because the other set may have been past their prime, I don't know. I'll have to look up the lifespan of an 845, but I find that with most power tubes a couple of years is about right. They deteriorate slowly over time so you don't really hear the changes all at once. All I know is that I really like the new 845B tubes. I only wish more companies made them so the price would go down a bit.
The 845B's have a much sturdier internal structure to them. They seem to exhibit a bit more richness and clarity than the stock 845's. Of course this may be because the other set may have been past their prime, I don't know. I'll have to look up the lifespan of an 845, but I find that with most power tubes a couple of years is about right. They deteriorate slowly over time so you don't really hear the changes all at once. All I know is that I really like the new 845B tubes. I only wish more companies made them so the price would go down a bit.
Here are some amps I would love to hear.
518 IA
- 2 x 845 / 2 x 12AX7 / 2 x 6L6
- Tube rectified with a 5AR4
- 22 wpc Single Ended
- 4 line inputs + pre amp in
- 4, 8 and 16 ohm speaker terminals
- Point to point wiring throughout
- Remote control volume with mute button
- Tube cage
219 IA
- 2 x 845 (output tubes) / 2 x 300B (driver tubes) / 2 x 310A (input tubes) / 2 x 12AX7
- 24 wpc Single Ended Class A
- Adjustable bias with built in meter
- 4,8, and 16 ohm speaker taps
- Point to point wiring throughout
- Two power transformers for a true dual mono design
- Remote control volume with mute button
- Tube cage
I just picked up the 518 that I got for an Avantgarde customer, installing it tonight! Looking forward to seeing how it sounds.
- Thread Author
- #26
I'd love your opinion Bob! The quality of the amps seems very high.
Will do. I just picked up the amp this morning, it was heavy lugging it around, I know that
I will let you know how it goes once it is installed tonight. Although it surely will have to break in for at least 100 hours before you can really tell what it sounds like.BTW, I am now a LM dealer. I will have the 518 with the Unos a block from me and then I will be getting the 501 (100Watt push pull), in the next two days, to have at the studio for a reasonably priced tube integrated to run with the Raidhos and Magicos.
MDP
Behavior Moderator (be nice police!)
Hey Bob, your Absolare gear got product of the year awards !!
Congrats !
Congrats !
dlb2
New member
Bob, I've been running my 218 for a couple of years now. I would be very interested in your thoughts on their gear as well and how they do with some of your speakers.
MDP
Behavior Moderator (be nice police!)
Yeah Bob, It was TAS, both the preamp and amp !!
Mark, thx....on the AS stuff.
Doug/Joe....... Hey Joe Ha! I just installed the 518 LM amp on new Unos. The entire experience of opening the box, admiring the packing job, trying to lift the little monster (about 70lbs) out of the box etc. Then turning the 845's for the first time and checking bias after 10 min. This thing shipped from China and the bias read perfectly as it was set with care at the factory. I have no idea what it sounds like, the Unos are brand new, cables are new. I didn't even listen to it as to not get an un-warranted less than stellar impression. I was actually so impressed with the unpacking and turning it on and having everything perfect, that was enough for the one day.
I will have the 501 hear by Wed., it will be interesting to see how it sounds with the S5's.....and the D3's:exciting:
Thx Tunes....I agree, nice stuff!
- Thread Author
- #35
dlb2
New member
cmalak
Active member
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2013
- Messages
- 2,304
Bob...are you by chance going to bring the 502CA DAC from Line Magnetic into the studio as well. If yes, would love to hear your thoughts on it. There is one review on it out there from a reviewer in New Zealand but some positive comments about it on various audio forums. It seems reasonably priced and I would be interested in hearing your impressions if you were planning on having it on demo in your studio. Thx
PS: Look forward to hearing your impressions on the 501s and 518s. The 501s seem like they can drive a good number of speakers. The 518s will have to be more carefully matched with an easy load and higher sensitivity speaker.
Here are some pics of the 502 DAC and a link to the review: http://www.witchdoctor.co.nz/index.php/2013/06/line-magnetic-lm-502ca-vacuum-tube-dac-review/
PS: Look forward to hearing your impressions on the 501s and 518s. The 501s seem like they can drive a good number of speakers. The 518s will have to be more carefully matched with an easy load and higher sensitivity speaker.
Here are some pics of the 502 DAC and a link to the review: http://www.witchdoctor.co.nz/index.php/2013/06/line-magnetic-lm-502ca-vacuum-tube-dac-review/