ranjeetrain
New Member
Long day, too tired to write a detailed report. But want to jot down my thoughts rather than putting it on my ever increasing wish-i-could-do-that list.
Today, I made a trip to the town, hunted down the addresses and managed to do some serious auditions. First audition was at a dealer who perhaps started out as a Jamo dealer. What a day, long but fun. When I contrast my day today with my day last weekend I just get shocked by the contrast.
Last weekend I visited a dealer who wouldn't want to let me audition anything. Was reluctant to connect things that were not connected but would like to know everything about me and my wallet. Wished I would give him a blank cheque and he would send me some stuff from his holy den which will make my living room a hifi heaven.
This time I met a dealer, who made seat for me, taking stuff off the sofa. Asked me politely what would I like to hear, ask me if I have my own CDs, put my CD in the transport and let me get lost in music at my pace.
[IMG2]http://www.eugenehifi.com/Line_Magnetic/218ia-600x400.jpg[/IMG2]Cutting to the chase: I had spoken to the dealer over phone so background was already there. Audition started within 10 minutes. I had planned to hear the Line Magnetic amps (LM 218IA and LM-211IA amps). However, as it turned out, time just flew by and I couldn't get to the LM-211IA.
Line Magnetic LM-218IA: the look and feel - I usually equip myself with the knowledge of the gear I am going to audition. I did the same with Line Magnetic LM-218IA, but failed to notice it's weight. I thought the guy was kidding when he said he needs help to lift it and place it on the rack. He was not joking. The amp is a 35 Kg beast. Don't know where the weight is. The amp looks unassuming, not at least so intimidating as to weigh 35 kg. I am used to lifting heavy amps and putting them in the rack/cabinet but I couldn't lift it easily. Looks like mass loaded. Or is it the extra heavy duty transformer cores?
Fit and finish of the amp was top rate. Didn't look like usual made in China stuff. Specially the cast-aluminum remote control. That was a beauty, to look, to hold. Just three button on; Mute, Vol+, Vol-. But enough for any 2-channel junkie. The remote was meant to operate the motorized analogue volume control, which, by itself, was no less of a pleasure to operate.
Powder coated industrial look, neat shut lines, overall a great looking no-nonsense amp.
Line Magnetic LM-218IA: the inside - The amp uses the ubiquitous 12AX7 in the pre stage and the glorious Line Magnetic branded 845 tubes in power stage. It is capable of producing 22 wpc in SET mode. The best part is the this amp is a tube-rollers' dream machine as it accepts tons of variations in the pre as well as power stages.
[IMG2]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8336/8353444771_dc973e536f_b.jpg[/IMG2]Line Magnetic LM-218IA: the sound - So, after all is said and done, how does it really sound like? Not like a $3500 amp, but very good, specially with right speakers. I had the opportunity to audition it with three very different speakers, with different luck. The first speaker was Chario Lynx. Now, this speaker wasn't totally new to me. I had heard it briefly earlier, but dismissed it very easily. Perhaps the reason was poor electronics it was matched with and poor acoustics of the place. Here in this room, they pair was making sweet music together. A sound nearly free of coloration (except a very sight coloration in the mid-bass region, which I attribute to the cabinet design of the Chario). The sound was fairly detailed, good sound-stage, great tonal-balance, could play decently loud without stress in medium sized rooms. Driving the Chario, the Line Magnetic seemed to be having no power concerns. Like I said, together they made sweet music. And that pretty much is the crux of this audition. If someone is looking to build a better than entry level system without breaking the bank, Line Magnetic + Chario Lynx might just be what the doc ordered.
Coming up:
Today, I made a trip to the town, hunted down the addresses and managed to do some serious auditions. First audition was at a dealer who perhaps started out as a Jamo dealer. What a day, long but fun. When I contrast my day today with my day last weekend I just get shocked by the contrast.
Last weekend I visited a dealer who wouldn't want to let me audition anything. Was reluctant to connect things that were not connected but would like to know everything about me and my wallet. Wished I would give him a blank cheque and he would send me some stuff from his holy den which will make my living room a hifi heaven.
This time I met a dealer, who made seat for me, taking stuff off the sofa. Asked me politely what would I like to hear, ask me if I have my own CDs, put my CD in the transport and let me get lost in music at my pace.
[IMG2]http://www.eugenehifi.com/Line_Magnetic/218ia-600x400.jpg[/IMG2]Cutting to the chase: I had spoken to the dealer over phone so background was already there. Audition started within 10 minutes. I had planned to hear the Line Magnetic amps (LM 218IA and LM-211IA amps). However, as it turned out, time just flew by and I couldn't get to the LM-211IA.
Line Magnetic LM-218IA: the look and feel - I usually equip myself with the knowledge of the gear I am going to audition. I did the same with Line Magnetic LM-218IA, but failed to notice it's weight. I thought the guy was kidding when he said he needs help to lift it and place it on the rack. He was not joking. The amp is a 35 Kg beast. Don't know where the weight is. The amp looks unassuming, not at least so intimidating as to weigh 35 kg. I am used to lifting heavy amps and putting them in the rack/cabinet but I couldn't lift it easily. Looks like mass loaded. Or is it the extra heavy duty transformer cores?
Fit and finish of the amp was top rate. Didn't look like usual made in China stuff. Specially the cast-aluminum remote control. That was a beauty, to look, to hold. Just three button on; Mute, Vol+, Vol-. But enough for any 2-channel junkie. The remote was meant to operate the motorized analogue volume control, which, by itself, was no less of a pleasure to operate.
Powder coated industrial look, neat shut lines, overall a great looking no-nonsense amp.
Line Magnetic LM-218IA: the inside - The amp uses the ubiquitous 12AX7 in the pre stage and the glorious Line Magnetic branded 845 tubes in power stage. It is capable of producing 22 wpc in SET mode. The best part is the this amp is a tube-rollers' dream machine as it accepts tons of variations in the pre as well as power stages.
[IMG2]http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8336/8353444771_dc973e536f_b.jpg[/IMG2]Line Magnetic LM-218IA: the sound - So, after all is said and done, how does it really sound like? Not like a $3500 amp, but very good, specially with right speakers. I had the opportunity to audition it with three very different speakers, with different luck. The first speaker was Chario Lynx. Now, this speaker wasn't totally new to me. I had heard it briefly earlier, but dismissed it very easily. Perhaps the reason was poor electronics it was matched with and poor acoustics of the place. Here in this room, they pair was making sweet music together. A sound nearly free of coloration (except a very sight coloration in the mid-bass region, which I attribute to the cabinet design of the Chario). The sound was fairly detailed, good sound-stage, great tonal-balance, could play decently loud without stress in medium sized rooms. Driving the Chario, the Line Magnetic seemed to be having no power concerns. Like I said, together they made sweet music. And that pretty much is the crux of this audition. If someone is looking to build a better than entry level system without breaking the bank, Line Magnetic + Chario Lynx might just be what the doc ordered.
Coming up:
- 1. Listening impressions with KEF XQ-10
- 2. Listening impressions with DynAudio C1
- 3. Thoughts on room acoustics and treatment
- 4. Thoughts on cables