Once Upon A Time…..
As readers of Substack post numero uno will already know, it all started here. In Spring 2020, I began importing Line Magnetic into the UK as their first retailer. It had started like most relationships - lusting from afar, slowly descending into passionate obsession (I like to think this was mutual and reciprocated). The beguilling looks - part industrial, part luxury, glowing valves reflecting off their high gloss black exteriors, contrasting chrome controls, dancing VU meters….they had everything a design loving audiophile could ask for.
Then you hear one.
“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways”…..
Every month the VAL HiFi website has around 25,000 visitors, something I’m immensely proud of. But top of the clicks is always Line Magnetic. Clearly it’s not just me whose besotted.
Line Magnetic Audio was established in Zhuhai, China in 2005 by brothers Zheng Cai and Zheng Xi. In 1995 Mr. Zheng Cai, once the General Manager and Chief Engineer at Cayin and later one of it’s shareholders, was in disagreement with the board when he suggested developing truly high-end amplifiers. After he left Cayin he worked for various other companies in the roles of engineer, researcher, developer, and co-founder, while gaining more and more understanding of Western high-end audio. His passion for Western Electric, Altec and Jensen components led him to building replicas of their classic designs and when Line Magnetic was officially born, the intimate knowledge of those brands and the magic that they created was transplanted into new, modern products - and not just amplifiers. Sources, phonostages, horn speakers and drivers, including two very sought after Field-Coil drivers that are revered by loudspeakers manufacters and DIY enthusiasts, also were also developed.
Not everything in their range is available in the UK though unfortunately - an EU/UK range was created with upgraded components, redesigned output transformers and most importantly for a retailer like us, CE certification. True, post Brexit, CE is now a grey area for the UK but until we get our own certification process in place (sometime in 2040 no doubt), that standard remains in place.
As of today the range includes these outstanding products:
Overview
The LM-mini84ia is a compact integrated amplifier specifically built to match with headphones. EL84 tubes are used in a single-ended design to deliver 3 watts per channel.
The LM-mini84iA can be inserted into any existing system between a source and amplifier to provide a fantastic sounding headphone signal. For example, it could be used between a DAC and integrated amplifier, passing the signal through to the main amplifier and speakers when not in use.
This amplifier can also be used to directly power high-efficiency speakers, with a selector located on the front panel to choose between a speaker or headphone output. It is suprisingly good when used in this way!
The LM-34ia is generally considered the entry level amp for most speaker set ups and offers staggering sound for the money. It’s a tube rollers dream and with 40wpc in push-pull, can drive most regular speakers without issue. It has a lush and bold sound and it’s size and weight means it can be moved and accomodated by most racks with relative ease.
The LM-88ia is a push-pull design, providing 45wpc and is like the dependable sibling in the family - not too dominant in any trait and easy to get along with, a beautifully balanced and rich sounding valve amp. It is less frequently available than the rest of the range as it is produced in smaller batches.
The LM-150ia offers staggering valve power at 100wpc and operates in push-pull. The KT-150 valves are known for their neutrality and sure footedness - a mature and even handed sound. They’re closer to transister prsentation but with an added warmth and romace. If you are a lover of solid state amplifiers but perhaps there is a leaness to your current setup, this could be the answer. The best of both worlds.
The LM-845ia is the amp that put the brand on the map. A SET amplifier of exquisite clarity, with a richly textured and an airy, almost spooky, holographic nature. Don’t let its 22wpc fool you - this amp with grab your speakers with authority and grip but still offer delicacy and nuance when needed. A masterpiece.
The LM-805ia offers much of what the 845ia does but more than doubles the output and therefore the headroom for your system to play in. Extra dynamics and drive is what the extra £1000 buys you and if you were partnering with particularly power hungry loudspeakers, and you want SET magic, this is amp to go for.
The LM-845ia Premium. The name says it all. Everything the 845ia is but MORE of it. Just spectacular in every way both aurally and aesthetically. Midrange to make you weep. It even has the extra headroom and authority of the 805ia despite only having 30wpc but sounds more relaxed and at ease. It really is effortless power, unlimited finese. The second unit, connected by a supplied umbilical cord houses the output transformers and when combined with the main unit, there are very few amplifiers today that have as much presence and impact. If the 845ia Premium was made by Audio Research or McIntosh you’d be doubling the RRP price which makes the £9999 asking price of the Premium a stone cold bargain.
The LM-512ca is one of the finest preamplifiers money can buy and when combined with any of the Line Magnetic integrated amp’s ‘Pre In’, effectively transforming them into power amplifiers, the LM-512ca elevates them to another level again - yes, even the Premium. The build and feel is just out of this world.
The LM-32DAC is a digital to analogue converter that offers a choice of either valve buffered (via two 12AU7) or solid-state analogue output with a presentation just a little on the warm side of neutral (and warmer of course with the valve buffered option) – this is particularly useful for slightly forward sounding systems or for those who can find digital music lacking a little soul. A superb dac with lots of flexibilty that implements the popular ESS 9028Pro SABRE DAC chip with skill.
The LP-33 is my reference Phonostage. The amplification stage uses 3 x ECC803S tubes and a single 6Z4 tube. For coupling the circuit to the outputs, German Mcap coupling capacitors are used and for the filtering, Japanese Nichicon & Rubycon. Further, high permeability EL-19 nickel and permalloy shells are used to comprise multi-layer shielding. The LP-33 amplifier features separate inputs for MC and MM cartridges, offering the flexibility to choose between the two options using a toggle switch. A big, beautiful sounding presentation with detail, timbres and tone all perfectly balanced. It’s one of the most attractive and robust pieces of equipment on the rack and it feels like it will last forever. A gem of a product.
Push-what? SET who?
Push-Pull
Push-Pull amplification employs two or more output devices, such as transistors or tubes, working in tandem to amplify a sine wave signal. This can be implemented in both Class AB and Class A configurations. In Class AB, one output device handles the positive half of the sine wave while the other manages the negative half, resulting in increased power output compared to a single tube in Class A. However, this approach introduces crossover distortion when one device transitions to the other. Additionally, many people find that multiple output devices, while typically more linear and capable of providing a better grip on the speaker, may sound less sonically pure.
In Class A Push-Pull, each output device amplifies the entire sine wave, but one of them does so in reverse phase. For example, Accuphase Class A transistor amplifiers utilise this configuration. On the other hand, Line Magnetic amps employ Push-Pull in Class AB mode
Single Ended (SET - Single Ended Triode)
Single-Ended amplification signifies the utilisation of just one power output device per channel, in contrast to the two or more devices employed in Push-Pull setups. In a Single-Ended Triode amplifier, a lone Triode power tube operates in each channel. It's important to note that Single-Ended amplification inherently falls into the Class A category by definition.
Triode
A Triode is not only a type of valve or vacuum tube but also a specific connection method. Even a Pentode valve, for instance, can be configured to operate in Triode mode. Triode mode represents just one among several available schemes for connecting and utilising valves. Another option is Pentode mode, which tends to offer greater efficiency. However, many enthusiasts hold the view that Triode mode embodies the purest essence of valve amplification.
REVIEWS
LINE MAGNETIC LM-845ia DARKO REVIEW
Line Magnetic has a large catalogue of other products that are available as special order items including incredible loudspeakers (with incredible price tags).
Despite the lack of UK availability, the beautiful craftsmanship of the rest of the Line Magnetic range is still worth admiring. The incredible LM-513PA and 512CA won the Red Dot award in 2017/18, and represents a no expense spared approach to valve amplification.
So there we have it - a run through of the brand that started it all, a HiFi manufacturer like no other and one that wows and satisfies VAL HiFi customers without exception. There is a magic to these designs and you’ll only discover just how special they are once you add one to your system. Trust me - you’ll fall in love.
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