Not sure what Line Magnetic amps you've listened to but I fully expeecty it wasn't a 518IA, a 219IA or a 508IA. If it was you have totally different listening experiences than me and a number of others
Showing 6 responses by facten
Defiant "
As as regards the LM518, I remember reading a less than stellar review in the Stereophile magazine. JA found the amplifier to be noisy. While the rest of the review was passable, I have a strong preference for very quiet amplifiers." My 518IA is dead quiet; and if you had any tube hum, which I haven't had, there's a hum adjustment on the top of the amp. There's other reviews on the 518 , 219 that you might want to check out, along with Agon member commentary in the FORUMs |
Defiant I haven't heard the 219ia so I can't offer a personal opinion between the 2 but from reading it would seem that the 219ia has a little more refinement. From my vantage point the 518ia is a quality made product, I have had zero issues with it. Specific to the 518ia - here's the link to Herb Reichert's Stereophile Review of the 518IA - you may want to read it in its entirety - https://www.stereophile.com/content/line-magnetic-audio-lm-518ia-integrated-amplifier - but here's an excerpt from his conclusion " But now, under full review-level scrutiny, I at last recognized the LM-518IA's complete array of virtues. It is musically alive and vigorous. It moves forward like a caffeinated child chasing a scared cat. It is strong. It has easily driven every speaker I have tried with it. It plays music with rare charm and sensitivity. Its beguiling light illuminates one of the most detailed soundstages I have ever heard as a reviewer. It is reliable: I have used and abused this 77-lb machine for more than a year and, more than any other amp I have reviewed, it seems indestructible. Here are links to 2 other reviews http://wallofsound.ca/audioreviews/line-magnetic-518ia-integrated-amplifier/ https://witchdoctor.co.nz/index.php/2014/06/line-magnetic-lm-518ia-integrated-set-amplifier-review/ In the witchdoctor review he claims that he had some transformer hum; I can honestly state that I have not heard any in the almost 2 years that I have had the amp |
Defiant Here's an Audiogon Forum comparing the 518 and 219 https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/line-magnetic-219ia-vs-518ia?highlight=line%2Bmagnetic%2B219i... you can find other Line Magnetic commentary on this site as well |
What more answers do you want on the LM that are going to really change your mind? A couple of us that actually own them have given you personal feedback,, and I also gave you links to other reviews that didn't indicate any issue with hum. If you don't think these are quality amps suggest you just move on from them. |