Line Magnetic LM-88IA, LM-150IA, LM-845IA, LM-805IA and LM-845 Premium – part 5
Line Magnetic LM-845 Premium and Conclusion
The LM-845 Premium is quite a special amplifier. It uses Shuguang 845 output tubes and 300B driver tubes and its 310A tubes are Line Magnetic-made replicas of the original Western Electric designs. As the only amp in the lineup that I tested, all the tubes are arranged in a perfectly symmetrical arrangement. For me that is important but then I know that I am picky about cosmetic matters. Anyway, there is no question about it: this impressive amp is the main conversation piece in any living room!
Its two enclosures suggest the use of a separate power supply but nothing could be further from the truth! The unit with the tubes holds all the amplification circuitry, tubes and power supplies, and all the operational controls. The other enclosure actually contains the oversized output transformers. As rumor has it, this two-unit reference amp is an upgrade of the LM-219IA, introduced in part following requests from dealers that were having a hard time hauling the super-heavy amps (~60kgs!) around their shops and delivering them to customers. The official take on this is that the LM-219IA is originally meant for the Chinese market while the LM-845 Premium is the intended replacement for the European market.
No matter the reasoning behind it, the fact remains that this is a beautiful beast of an amp. Compared to the LM-219IA, the build quality has made a significant leap forward. Where it could be seen that the latter was comprised of individual metal panels, the LM-845 Premium’s enclosure is made in a seamless fashion, seemingly from a continuous block of metal. Naturally, this isn’t the case, it would be immovable if so, but its edges are welded together so very nicely that it certainly seems that way. Another upgrade that I could see is the beefier, more upscale, speaker binding posts. What differences exist inside, I don’t know and I haven’t heard the LM-219IA so I can’t make any comparisons with it. What I have heard, of course, are the other 4 Line Magnetic amps that I wrote about in the earlier parts of this review. And let me state it unequivocally right now: the LM-845 Premium wears its “premium” tag very rightfully so!
LM-845 Premium with Gustavson LS-One
At this stage in the review, the Push-Pull amps have returned. Remaining are the LM-845IA and LM-805IA, for comparing to the LM-845 Premium. But I needn’t have bothered. It took me all of 10 seconds to realize that the latter sounds better than any of the amps that preceded it.
It’s evident that the Premium is in its element driving the Gustavsons, not just from the tight and articulate sound but also from looking at the watt meters which move only a little bit even when playing loudly. With the Gustavsons, the bass may not have the LM-805IA’s slam but there is also no dynamic compression. Compared to the LM-805IA the LM-845 Premium was much tighter, much more articulate and a lot more transparent. It’s more like listening to the LM-845IA in terms of purity but more even-handed and even more refined. Lest you think that the regular LM-845IA is somehow lacking, let me quickly correct that. With sensitive enough speakers such as the Gustavsons, the LM-845IA is truly brilliant. But the LM-845 Premium was simply even better. I can best describe this by saying that the latter was even more convincing, producing music with such realism that you immediately recognize that it is superior to the others.
The LM-845 Premium has the speed and communicative powers of the LM-845IA, the bass fulness of the LM-88IA, the midrange richness and texture of the LM-805IA and the neutrality of the LM-150IA. It has all this, with an even more intimate, emotional delivery, then further adds to it by being even more coherent and transparent. Then, the Premium does another quite astonishing trick: it sounds more relaxed and smoother than even the LM-805IA yet is more articulate, faster and precise than the LM-845IA!
Its bass is clean, fast and articulate, but less incisive than that of the LM-845IA and less bold and sonorous than that of the LM-805IA. I can imagine some people preferring the spicier 845 or the bolder and richer 805 but there is no doubt that the LM-845 Premium is more correct and the more audiophile amp. Its purity and transparency truly are state of the art!
Best of all worlds – when combined with sensitive speakers
The LM-845 Premium’s supremacy is so evident that I could just end the review right here. But I won’t, of course! Still remaining is a test combined with the Wilsons. But before I go there, I need to insert a little disclaimer. Any SET amp’s Achilles heel is power. Traditionally, one should not expect too much from a SET amp in terms of bass power and control. The area where these amps typically excel is in the midrange and the Line Magnetic SET amps that I reviewed certainly do. However, they also manage to sound surprisingly great in the bass. With efficient speakers, these amps come close to what a medium power Push-Pull amp such as the LM-88IA can do in the bass which is pretty good actually. But when more power-hungry speakers are used, a SET amp will let you notice in the bass and the overall dynamics.
LM-845 Premium with Wilson Watt Puppy 8
The Wilsons are relatively easy to drive but they have some impedance dips and, let’s face it, they’re not 100+ dB horn designs, which is what one will more typically use with low-power SET amps. The LM-845 Premium manages to squeeze 30 watts from its pair of 845 tubes which is quite amazing but the amp does not have the muscle of the 48-watt LM-805IA, let alone the LM-88IA or LM-150IA Push-Pull designs. But still, the Wilsons are my reference speakers and they are very revealing so I was eager to see how this reference amp from Line Magnetic would perform.
If a superlative bass impact is the only thing that matters then one need not look at tubes, SET or otherwise. But you, dear reader, would not have made it all the way to the end of this review if that was the case. There’s more to music than bass. And this is where tubes in general and SET, in particular, come in.
Sure enough, the LM-845 Premium still clearly conveyed its supremacy via the Wilsons. Its transparency, neutrality and natural purity were absolutely drool-inducing. In these fields, it performed on par with the CH Precision A1. And, of course, the amp excelled at suspending disbelief and recreating a live event right in front of my nose.
But while its Watt meters were sort of idling with the Gustavsons, now they predominantly at around 75% even when playing at moderate levels, meaning that the amp was not exactly in its happy place. Still, apart from the lack of bass pressure and overall less than dynamic delivery I couldn’t hear any artifacts or increase in compression, even when really pushing it toward all that the amp could deliver. There was simply no distortion and never ever any harshness. This goes to show how well-built this amp really is. Clearly, the power supply and output transformers are not only over-specified but also of extremely good quality. If they were only oversized, then the amp would not have sounded so utterly transparent and revealing.
On Balance
While the bass is not typically a tube forté, midrange texture, live-ness and sheer emotional involvement are not typically transistor fortés. For bass quality (not necessarily volume or body), transparency, neutrality, dynamics, and overall refinement, the CH Precision A1 is my reference. Especially given its astronomic price tag this is not likely to change any time soon. However, all of these Line Magnetic amps had individual qualities that made them stand out and approach the A1 and in parts perform even better.
Tubes and transistors, of course, are two different worlds. Drum and Bass and most other electronic music where the bass is the primary focus will probably always sound better with Push-Pull tube amps and even better with transistor amps. Still, you might be surprised how powerful and propulsive a dance track can sound even with a 22-watt SET amp when combined with more sensitive speakers such as the Gustavsons! What all the Line Magnetic amps consistently do best, though, is to convey the human element, to suspend disbelief, to bring the artist into the room as the pure, living, breathing organism that it is. And it is when playing music with real acoustic instruments and unsampled vocals that these amps truly shine.
The LM-845 Premium does this even better than the other Line Magnetic amps, and also better than any other amp that I have heard, be it transistor or tube. But the LM-845 Premium further adds to this by also sounding more articulate and faster in the bass than the other Line Magnetic amps and it tops it off by equalling the CH Precision amp on several of its fortés, such as transparency, refinement and timbre/tonality.
Comparisons in my head
Comparing the LM-845IA’s performance in my head to other SET tube amps that I have used in these quarters it is also clear that none of them were this refined and airy, or as subtly detailed. The Ayon Crossfire III and Viva Verona XL both had the edge in terms of bass solidity and drive but were not nearly as refined and fluid as any of the Line Magnetic amps. I guess that’s what you get when trying to produce transistor-like bass using a tube: surprisingly great bass at the expense of organic liquidity.
Various articles on this website contain parts where I’ve been euphoric about the Vaic Reference 520b’s. Well, the former owner of these units (meneer Buis) and I agree that the LM-845 Premium performs on a higher level than those amps on all parameters when used with the Wilsons, except for dynamics and bass power. In part thanks to their parallel dual 52b Triodes, the Vaics are quite powerful in the bass, but also considerably less pure, transparent and refined than the Line Magnetic amp.
Conclusion
All these Line Magnetic amps have their particular traits but they have some things in common: they are all refined, lively and richly textured, and all of them immediately invoke emotional involvement. Each of the amps performs superbly, especially given their price range. The bass lover in me has a mild preference for the LM-88IA and LM-150IA, the latter being particularly exquisite with the Apogee Duettas but overall, given a pair of speakers with sufficient sensitivity, I prefer the SET amps for their immensely pure and convincingly “live” character. These amps are just the best recipe to invoke goosebumps if speakers of high enough sensitivity are used.
The 845 Premium, finally, is so well-balanced, so pure, so rich in texture, so room-filling and so utterly emotionally engaging as well as superbly transparent, neutral and natural that it will spoil a person for lesser designs.
Part 1 – Introduction
Part 2 – Review using Gustavson speakers
Part 3 – Review using Wilson speakers
Part 4 – Review using Duetta Signature speakers
Part 5 – LM-845 Premium and Conclusion
Read Also
A Tube High Fidelity Company Special
Company Websites
Manufacturer: LM-audio.com
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info@atube-highfidelity.nl
phone +31 (0)36 – 3333041
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beste Christiaan,
Wederom een zeer uitgebreid en informatief verslag dat ik met belangstelling heb gelezen. Deze recensie was met name interessant omdat ik zelf ook in het bezit ben van een Line Magnetic versterker, te weten de LM501IA. Dit lijkt een exacte kopie van de LM150IA in jouw artikel alleen in een afwijkende kleurstelling (oranje/wit). Of er een technisch verschil is kan ik niet vaststellen maar uiterlijk is het een eeneiige tweeling.
Vermoedelijk is mijn versie de Aziatische uitvoering en de LM150IA de Europese variant. Wel werd mijn versterker standaard geleverd met KT120 buizen maar deze heb ik inmiddels vervangen door KT150 buizen.
Overigens heb ik mijn versterker niet aangeschaft via A Tube High Fidelity want ik weet pas sinds jouw recensie van het bestaan van deze winkel.
Mijn versterker gebruik ik in combinatie met mijn QUAD ESL 988 electrostaten plus een Innuos ZEN Mk 2 muziekserver als bron en mijn muziek heeft nog nooit zo goed geklonken als met deze set. Een buizenversterker bied m.i. een muziekweergave met een hogere emotionele lading dan de gemiddelde transistorversterker.
Nu was ik al van mening dat ik de juiste keus had gemaakt met de versterker maar jouw recensie bevestigd dit in feite nog eens dubbel en dwars.
P.s. In jouw recensies gebruik je heel vaak het begrip “refined”. Wat bedoel je daar precies mee ? Omschrijvingen als detail, timbre, dynamiek zijn mij bekend maar bij bij refined weet ik niet goed wat ik mij daarbij moet voorstellen.
Hi Ben, “Refined” in Ducth is “Geraffineerd” of “Verfijnd”. The opposite is “Rough”, or “Grof” in Dutch. Refinement is what classic Jeff Rowland gear has in abundance but classic Bryston gear not so much. An electrostatic speaker is usually highly refined, a PA speaker usually not at all.
hallo Christiaan,
De standaard betekenis van refined is mij bekend maar hoe vertaald zich dat in de geluidsweergave ? Heeft dat te maken met meer of minder detail of zit het’m in een groter frequentiebereik of misschien klankkleur ?
met vriendelijke groet
Ben
Please refer to the Audio Lingo section on this site. It’s a work in progress but offers some nice info pertaining to your “refined” question:
https://www.hifi-advice.com/blog/audiophile-insights/generic-info/audio-lingo/
Christian fantastic review(s) your thoroughness, and open-mindedness, when testing gear is second to none. And your writing is engaging and enjoyable as always. Gorgeous amps just on visuals alone I want one!
Thanks Jon!
Hi Christiaan,
Amazing review once again brother!
I have a LM508ia, highly modified with 2c22 tubes CCS loaded on the input stage etc and it sounds panty droopingly and ear meltingly superb, i have it at my girlfriends house in Zaandam, NL, i would be happy to bring it round for a musical dissection?
Have a nice day
BR
Jules
Hi Jules, I have no doubt that a careful tube swapperoo can make a world of a difference. Your description pretty much says it all: “panty droopingly and ear meltingly superb”. 🙂
There’s no need for an audition but if you could detail the changes you made I think that will be helpful for other readers.
Hello Christian
What a wonderful review !! 🙂 Please could you tell me more about speakers efficiency for SET amps ? « These amps are just the best recipe to invoke goosebumps if speakers of high enough sensitivity are used » So what is the approximative threshold to switch from push-pull to SET, at a comfortable sound level ?
Thanks a lot
Vincent
Hi Vince, I’m afraid that there are no hard rules regarding speaker efficiency and SET handling. It’s not only about the speaker’s sensitivity, a lot more factors come into play. Most combinations will play loudly but the crux is with the control that the amplifier has over the speaker and because most SET amps have little damping, a speaker should also behave linearly. Ideally, a speaker has high efficiency as well as a relatively flat impedance curve. It’s best if there are no huge dips toward 2 ohms anywhere in the frequency range but even if this is not the case then still the match need not be ideal. It’s very much a matter of just trying it out. Hope this helps!
Greetings
what the difference is between these models you reviewed and the models that appear on the Chinese websites. For example 805 vs 508. This is exactly the same amplifier with different names.
Thanks in advance
EFI
Hi EFI, I can’t be sure but as far as I know they are indeed identical or at least nearly identical. You could try asking Frank at ATube High Fidelity, who is a big dealer for Line Magnetic.
Hello Christian,
Thank you for another very good and complete review.
I have the LM-508 with some internal upgrades and considerably better tubes than the original ones and all I can say is that it’s a great amp, but it gets “incredible” with better tubes and some internal upgrades.
I’m using it as power amp driving it with an Audio-gd Master 1 preamp, that you have also reviewed.
How would you compare the LM-805 to the Audio-gd 2H mono amplifiers? I know they are different beasts, but their cost is similar and I just got curious.
By the way, I like both brands very much Indeed. I also have the Audio-gd R8 DAC wich You also reviewed and DI-20 wich I highly recomend you to try.
Hi Pedro, thanks for the suggestions. The LM-805 and the M2H’s are indeed very different beasts. If you like tubes, you likely won’t like the super-powerful M2H’s and vice versa. Also, speaker choice will play a decisive role in this. All said, I would say their resolution and transparency are comparable but the M2H’s are (naturally) considerably better in the bass. And with my speakers (Logans and Magicos) I prefer the M2H’s. They do not mimic tube sound (either positively or negatively) but for transistor designs, they sound remarkably non-transistory and they are also remarkably subtle and refined even at low volume levels.
Thank you Christiaan for the answer!
Yes, indeed I do like some things tubes do like unique 3D image and beatiful midrange.
M2H must have heavenly bass as I find the base in my moded LM-508 better than my Hypex NC 500 based class D amp, more body, more texture and yes, at least equally faster!
My speakers are the Q Acustics Concept 500 (wich I believe are not hard to drive) and I also use a pair of subwoofers that help with imaging and sub bass and I believe they are a must in every high end system.
By the way, the LM-508 is great at low volume levels. I have my best listening sessions late at night, when everyone is sleeping.
Kind regards
The M2H are miles better than any Class-D amps. They are actually approaching the overall quality of the CH A1.5.(with the Logans and the Magicos) However, if your speakers don’t need it, I would not advise using high-power amplification. It’s always best to adjust this as needed. And if you’re happy with the 805 then why change:-)
Hello Christiaan
Thank you again for your time.
Just curious, how would You compare the M2H vs the 845 premium?
The 845 Premium is more audiophile but does not change the fact that it is a SET amp. The same as said before applies for the 805, 845 and 845 Premium and basically every other low to medium-powered tube amp versus something like the M2H’s. Please extrapolate the relative differences between the LM models from the review.
Hi..Christiaan,
Would like to seek your honest advise on LM amplifiers..I’m planning to audition and most probably purchase LM 845 premium pair with Cube Audio Nenuphar.
Being made in china makes me worried to buy the amplifier plus 1 year warranty, well after all I’m using Iphone which also made in China ..lol.
The question arise regarding its reliability. This purchase is for long time use and I don’t have a much time to go back and forth to my dealers just to check any amplifiers problem. I don expect it to be free from any problem in 10 years, it just that, does LM amplifiers can live without any issues like other normal made in USA or other countries amplifiers.
From your experience reviewing and live with the amp, do you recommend buying LM amplifiers?
Hi Daniel, I only reviewed these amplifiers (I don’t own a LM amp) but from what I can tell, LM amplifiers are as robust and reliable as EU or American products. I wouldn’t worry about it. Yes, they’re designed and built in China but to a very high standard. Just as is done with many brands that are perceived as pure American or European. Quality control is important and it seems LM holds this in high esteem.
Ahoj Daniel, haw about your match premium 845 with Nenuphar? Thanks for answer
Hello
Very nice review. I’m looking for integrated amp for my Goldenear Triton 2+ speakers. I’ve tried many amps and my speakers sound dry when comes to voices with some sibilance. So far the best one was Primaluna Evo 400,especially in triode mode.
Which one is smother and more musical 845ia or 805ia ? Which one would you recommend?
With the PrimaLuna, as well as in general, Triode Mode sounds sweeter and richer, and indeed less prone to exacerbating sibilance, but less forceful and articulate at the frequency extremes. Between the 845 and the 805, the latter is the fullest and creamiest sounding. The 845 is more spritely and spicy but it is also leaner and more revealing and perhaps not the direction that you want to take.
Thank you Christiaan
I’m thinking of upgrade my LM 518 after buying new speakers, jbl 4349. Do you think that the 150 or 805 will be the best amp with these speakers?
I have not heard the 518 but I think it may be pretty much identical to the 845. That said, a move to the 805 will yield fuller bass and an overall smoother, slightly more relaxed sound. A move to the 150 will do the opposite, more in line with the 845 but more controlled and considerably more powerful. The JBLs are quite sensitive with no deep impedance dips, leading me to believe that either amp could match well technically. Whether you will prefer one or the other will be a personal matter. While the 805 will provide the purest, most organic sound, the 150 ultimately has much more power. If you like to play very loudly, that may be the deciding factor.
Made the move to tube amps years ago and I am more than satisfied with the 805 It pushes my JBL L100’s with relative ease. Punchy bass and dynamic clean highs. I think this amp would be hard to beat at it’s price point.
Hi Christian, would you please to give me suggestions for choosing between Accuphase E800 class A solid state or LM 845 Premium. My speakers are Harbeth SHL5+ XD and Graham Audio LS5/9f. Thank you in advance.
Hi Hans, I feel that, unless the aim is to achieve a stress-free, super-fluid sound, these speakers prefer high power and a firm damping factor to sound their best. For the Harbeths as well as the Grahams, I would opt for the Accuphase. Of course, the LM845 has that midrange magic that no transistor can reproduce, not even when in Class-A, but the Accuphase has the power and drive, not to mention bass power, to make the speakers not only sound seductive but also rock.
My LM 805 has been in the shop longer than in my living room. Love them when they’re working, but very disappointed in them now. I also thought the Harbeth’s would be a good match, presently have JBL 100 classics and Altec Lansing, rethinking keeping the LM 805 at this time. One of the 805 tubes melted, and I’m afraid it could have started a fire. Been through enough fires lately, thank you.
Hi Wes, Wow, did that tube actually melt? I’ve yet to see that happen with any tube amp but a melting tube sure is a horror scenario. I hope your sample is the exception to the rule… In any event, the LM’s I’ve worked with have been very reliable. Nevertheless, certainly with tube amplifiers, I would always recommend buying from a local dealer so that warranty issues are easily covered. FWIW, I think the 805 might work more synergistically with the JBLs and Altec Lansings than the Harbeths.
I’m currently auditioning an LM-845IA and am completely taken by its “in your face” nature. Would I lose that quality if I were to opt for the 845 Premium instead? Thanks for any insight you can provide.
Hi Mark, the 845 Premium has a more polished and sophisticate, more luxurious sound with a little less “bite” so to say. It’s a little fuller and arguably rounder than the quite direct-sounding 845IA.
That was quick! Thank-you Christian. Forgive my asking a follow-up entirely in the realm of subjective opinion: is there enough of the “bite” remaining in the 845-P to recognize it as a shared attribute? Hoping to keep that essential force but more relaxed and resolved … Hmmm … opposites … but is that what the 845-P does?
Hi Mark, off the top of my head, pls read my review for the details, the Premium has the most refined sound with the highest perceived resolution. However, just like the LM-805IA, the Premium has a fuller and more relaxed sound than the very pure and articulate LM-845IA. If it’s this unfiltered directness that you want and you don’t mind the relatively dry/clean sound then I think you’ve already found your ideal amplifier;-) Oh, something else to consider may be Melody. They are more refined than I recall any of the Line Magnetic amps to be. However, they do not sound quite as direct as the 845IA.
Thanks so much (again) Christiaan!
Did you ever try the SET amps with the Apogees? I’m curious if the 805 would drive the Duettas without too much stress. Thanks!
I did, even with very big Ayon, VAIC, and other SET amps, but invariably, that doesn’t work well. While it’s not an impossible pairing, the sound is slow, overly round, and undynamic as the amps have to work close to, or beyond their comfort zone. Tubes can actually work with Apogees but you’ll need a big Push-Pull amp. The LM-88IA was already much better but still low on reserve. Only with the LM-150IA did it really start working. But even then, the feeling now and then was that more power was needed. A close friend is using Zesto Eros 300’s with his Duetta Sigs and that actually works very well. With 6 KT88’s and 150 Watts of output, these monos do work within their comfort zone.