AudioCircle

Industry Circles => GR Research => Topic started by: Shakeydeal on 3 Mar 2017, 12:15 pm

Title: Going to pick up a Line Magnetic Amp tomorrow......
Post by: Shakeydeal on 3 Mar 2017, 12:15 pm
.....the 518ia. It will be going up against my CJ LP66S and driving my Super Vs. Does anyone have any experience with the combo? Or any other low wattage SET driving the Super Vs? This amp is supposed to be ballsy, but has only 1/3 the power of my CJ.

Will I be happy?

Will Dr. Smith be able to cure Aunt Patty?

This and more, stay tuned...........


Shakey

Title: Re: Going to pick up a Line Magnetic Amp tomorrow......
Post by: mick wolfe on 3 Mar 2017, 04:13 pm
I currently use a Line Magnetic 218ia. ( an 845 SET with the same power rating as the 518ia)  Having owned several P-P tube amps at or near the power rating as your CJ, I don't think you'll have an issue. Example.... I've found the LM to sound bigger and more powerful than a very solid 40-45 watt P-P tube amp I currently have in house.
Title: Re: Going to pick up a Line Magnetic Amp tomorrow......
Post by: Shakeydeal on 3 Mar 2017, 04:42 pm
Hey Mick,

Tough crowd around here..... :roll:


It's me, Ozzy, from AA.......
Title: Re: Going to pick up a Line Magnetic Amp tomorrow......
Post by: mick wolfe on 3 Mar 2017, 04:55 pm
No, I recognized your "handle" right away. Actually AC is a mellower place IMHO. I enjoy the company. Hope the amp works out for you. 
Title: Re: Going to pick up a Line Magnetic Amp tomorrow......
Post by: Shakeydeal on 3 Mar 2017, 05:04 pm
Thanks. What I meant by "tough crowd" is that you get a lot of lookie loos, but not many replies. Seems to be the norm for this place.

Shakey

Title: Re: Going to pick up a Line Magnetic Amp tomorrow......
Post by: mlundy57 on 3 Mar 2017, 07:18 pm
Thanks. What I meant by "tough crowd" is that you get a lot of lookie loos, but not many replies. Seems to be the norm for this place.

Shakey

Yep but i find the discussion that does take place to be more helpful than i have seen on some other sites

Mike
Title: Re: Going to pick up a Line Magnetic Amp tomorrow......
Post by: Shakeydeal on 3 Mar 2017, 07:22 pm
Yep but i find the discussion that does take place to be more helpful than i have seen on some other sites

Mike

Agreed.
Title: Re: Going to pick up a Line Magnetic Amp tomorrow......
Post by: danvprod on 3 Mar 2017, 07:56 pm
That is a sweet looking amp! I'm going to be powering my V's with a 4 watt tube amp (Decware Mini Torii) so I'll be curious to get your impression. I've seen the 219ia as well and that is a beauty.
Title: Re: Going to pick up a Line Magnetic Amp tomorrow......
Post by: Shakeydeal on 3 Mar 2017, 08:20 pm
That is a sweet looking amp! I'm going to be powering my V's with a 4 watt tube amp (Decware Mini Torii) so I'll be curious to get your impression. I've seen the 219ia as well and that is a beauty.

4 watts huh? Well you will be pushing the envelope there.

I'll report back some time this weekend with how this works out. I have high hopes   :D

Shakey
Title: Re: Going to pick up a Line Magnetic Amp tomorrow......
Post by: arthurs on 3 Mar 2017, 08:47 pm
I have an LM 219IA and it has plenty of drive for my Tannoy's.  I was really surprised how ballsy this amp is.
Title: Re: Going to pick up a Line Magnetic Amp tomorrow......
Post by: DTB300 on 3 Mar 2017, 09:44 pm
Heard a LM 219IA driving a pair of O/96 Devore and it was outstanding.
Title: Re: Going to pick up a Line Magnetic Amp tomorrow......
Post by: mresseguie on 3 Mar 2017, 11:17 pm
I just visited LM's website, but I did not see the 518 listed as current production. Is it made for North America, but not domestic consumption?

Michael
Title: Re: Going to pick up a Line Magnetic Amp tomorrow......
Post by: opnly bafld on 3 Mar 2017, 11:51 pm
I just visited LM's website, but I did not see the 518 listed as current production. Is it made for North America, but not domestic consumption?

http://www.lm-audio.com/english/cp_l.aspx?dyiji=10   scroll down

http://www.lm-audio.com/english/xxcp.aspx?dyiji=10&id=160
Title: Re: Going to pick up a Line Magnetic Amp tomorrow......
Post by: mresseguie on 3 Mar 2017, 11:59 pm
Thanks.

Your links looked so much different from the website that I found that I went back to mine. It's a poor quality website.....I wonder if it's fake?

Here's where I went: http://admin.soowo.cn/weixin/plat/app/Html/9619/728862/index.html

Michael
Title: Re: Going to pick up a Line Magnetic Amp tomorrow......
Post by: Danny Richie on 4 Mar 2017, 12:17 am
Nice looking ride you have there Shakeydeal.

Let us know how the amps sound.
Title: Re: Going to pick up a Line Magnetic Amp tomorrow......
Post by: FullRangeMan on 4 Mar 2017, 12:38 am
Just see the 518 specs, its a nice amp:
http://www.cattylink.com/lm518ia.html
I always wonder why people prefer the 845 over the 211?
Title: Re: Going to pick up a Line Magnetic Amp tomorrow......
Post by: geowak on 5 Mar 2017, 12:14 am
I've got the 216IA, but I had to borrow the 518 from my dealer when a transformer went out on my amp. It sounded glorious during it's short stay with me. I enjoy the 216, but if I had some extra cash, I would get the 518. Let us know how much you like it or not...
BTW, LM audio replaced the transformer, therefore KUDOS for the quality customer service.

Also, CJ has been making top-notch tube amps for some time now. I would not expect the LM to sound better, just different. IMHO
Title: Re: Going to pick up a Line Magnetic Amp tomorrow......
Post by: FullRangeMan on 5 Mar 2017, 11:41 am
I've got the 216IA, but I had to borrow the 518 from my dealer when a transformer went out on my amp. It sounded glorious during it's short stay with me. I enjoy the 216, but if I had some extra cash, I would get the 518. Let us know how much you like it or not...
BTW, LM audio replaced the transformer, therefore KUDOS for the quality customer service.

Also, CJ has been making top-notch tube amps for some time now. I would not expect the LM to sound better, just different. IMHO
Whats the burn transformer full story?
Title: Re: Going to pick up a Line Magnetic Amp tomorrow......
Post by: Shakeydeal on 5 Mar 2017, 11:43 am
Well after a long night of listening, I think we have a winner. The 518ia is a great amp, by any measure. Explosive dynamics, fast, tonally rich, and plenty of power to drive the Super V.

Now the bad news, hum. For the first three hours the amp was powered up there was ZERO noise. It was so quiet, you didn't even think the thing was on. Then a steady state hum started. I don't think it's a ground loop because it would have been there from the start. It is present on all inputs and even when the amp is muted. I don't think it's a bad tube because the volume is equal in both channels and doesn't change with attenuation. You can't hear it when music is playing, but you can hear it from anywhere in the room when there is no music.

I'm usually pretty good at diagnosing these things, but this one has me stumped. It's not a deal breaker for me, the amp sounds too good. But I'd certainly like to figure it out.

Bottom line, as good as the CJ is, it will be going on the auction block.

Shakey
Title: Re: Going to pick up a Line Magnetic Amp tomorrow......
Post by: FullRangeMan on 5 Mar 2017, 12:11 pm
You run this new amp around the clock?
It may over heat transformers.
What is the recommended run time?
You live in a hot area?
Title: Re: Going to pick up a Line Magnetic Amp tomorrow......
Post by: Shakeydeal on 5 Mar 2017, 12:21 pm
I never do that with any amp. Warm up ~1 hour before listening, then off when I'm done.


Shakey
Title: Re: Going to pick up a Line Magnetic Amp tomorrow......
Post by: Shakeydeal on 6 Mar 2017, 11:15 am
Yesterday I played with the hum adjustment provided on the amp and was successful in eliminating all of the hum.

I must reitirate again what an outstanding match this amp is with the Super V. Only having to drive the coaxial speaker frees up all sorts of headroom, so dynamics are off the chart. Very happy now. :D

Shakey
Title: Re: Going to pick up a Line Magnetic Amp tomorrow......
Post by: Emil on 6 Mar 2017, 12:51 pm
Glad it all worked out for you, Shakey.

The Line Magnetic line looks the business. The 300B amp is a monster

(http://www.stevehuffphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/P1260064-680x460.jpg)