Hello Bill,
I don’t believe that I’m missing any particular point of yours. You are excited about what is new,different and innovative and you reference the Lyngdorf as an example. This makes perfect sense to me as you have actual experience with it (ownership) and most importantly you’re very happy with it. I thought I was pretty clear in that acknowledgement.
I mentioned the Deviaolet as an example of listening disappointment after all the praise it received for innovation and performance. As I wrote above, the Lyngdorf may/could be a better (perhaps much better) audio product than the Deviaolet. Frankly I believe that both of us have been clear and straightforward in our postings on this thread. We both have recognized and have written that wlutke has excellent options from which to choose.
I would say that any number of the amplifiers mentioned thus far would mate well with his Crescendos and this certainly includes the Lyngdorf and its one box solution . Wlutke expressed an interest in the Line Magnetic and I can understand why. You, I and others are just offering what we feel are worthy suggestions to a fellow audiogon member. As both of us often recommend, listen/audition when ever the oppression presents itself.
Charles |
Hi wlutke,
You definitely have numerous good options available to you. Very knowledgeable and experienced people have posted on your thread and I respect all of them. My gut feeling is that the LM 508ia will make you as genuinely happy as it has for wig. As much as you love your bottlehead system this would be a step forward and upward in that same direction in my humble opinion.
Best wishes with whatever option/path you finally choose.
Charles |
Hi Wig,
Yes, Balanced AC power for an audio system is an excellent decision. I have used the BPT 3.5 Signature plus in my system for over 8 years. All components (including SET mono blocks) are plugged into it. The improvement it provides is substantial compared with plugged directly into wall (dedicated circuit 20 amps). Wig, your system must just flat out sing! You've made some wise choices concerning your system.
Charles |
Wig,
The 805 tube has a reputation for high quality sound but for whatever reason isn't used nearly as often as the 845 or the 211 for that matter.
Charles |
Bill,
I recall the same type of enthusiastic "the future is here now " talk with Devialet one box solutions that would render all else inferior. Sorry, when I heard this brand/products I was underwhelmed to be polite. Lyngdorf may be a better sounding product, similar type of hype and predictions. I just listen.
Charles |
Not sad IMO if the modern all in digital one box solution actually sounds better, that’s the question.I will buy a one box component if it has superior sound quality compared to what I currently have. Best sound wins.
Charles |
I'd love to hear a direct comparison of the Lyngdorf and the LM 508ia. This is the epitome of old school versus New school 😊😊
Charles |
Wig,
It's very interesting to me how tubes are often chastised as yesterday's technology and their "noise" issues yet they continue to survive (and sound superb when done properly). Surely on technical grounds the Vitus trounces the 1930s technology of the Line Magnetic's SET topology. You owned both and let the ears decide. I'll concede the Vitus may just mate better with a different speaker. I've no doubt that your LM 508ia is fabulous with the Crescendos.
Charles |
Bill,
That’s quite a soapbox you’re perched upon 😊
Seriously I know we’re both after the best sound quality and music reproduction we can realistically obtain in our respective homes. I am not sure of you references to an "open mind " . Are you perhaps suggesting that your decision to purchase an all in one digital component equates to this status?
I’m open minded in the true sense of the term and this is why I would never question your audio system decisions, Absolutely not. To each their own. We all determine through trial and error what works out best for us sonically. The Lyngdorf could be all that you claim. If an opportunity arose for me to hear one I’d happily try it.
I’ve heard the lower noise arguement in reference to tubes ad nauseum. All audio devices have some forms of coloration and character, no exceptions. I’ve listen to many audio components over many years (as you have as well) I judge simply on what I hear.
New and innovative is inevitable but doesn’t imply better, there are always hits and also misses, success and failure. I sincerely appreciate your energetic enthusiasm for the Lyngdorf. I may share your enthusiasm if I ever hear one, who knows?
Admittedly I harbor some level of skepticism when something is touted as the latest and greatest and will make all that came before it obsolete. Time and exposure will tell. Bill I enjoy the discussion and I hope the Lyngdorf brings you many years of sonic joy.
Charles
|
I agree that as an audio system mproves resolution, purity and transparency, performance does increase in both lower and higher listening level scenarios. I find that excelling at the lower volume levels is a greater challenge for most systems as many can sound flat or lifeless at subdued levels. This is more elusive in my opinion. I suspect that Wig obtains satisfaction in either direction of the volume control as desired.
Charles |
If you have reasonably normal hearing acuity and listen in a relatively quiet room, wig’s listening levels seem quite typical in my opinion. I’m assuming that this is C-weighted (as opposed to A-weighted) scale. Bill, are your listening levels typically in the 90 db and higher range?
Certainly we’re all different in regard to our comfortable and satisfying volume levels. Mine are in the same range of wig’s the majority of the time. Occasionally I’ll listen at higher levels but not for long periods of time. If someone has some degree of hearing deficiency I could understand the need to crank up the volume level to compensate.
Wig probably has such a high degree of resolution and transparency in his system that it provides much involvement without having to turn it up louder.
This has been my experience as my system has improved over the years. Nuances, inner detail and dynamic ebb and flow are apparent at lower listening volumes compared to prior systems I’ve owned.
Charles |
Wig,
Yes I assumed you’re using the EML standard 300b. This is a premium brand and all of their various tubes are held in high regard. Another asset is their reputation for reliability and longevity. Wig I find it interesting that the powerful Vitus amplifier seem to lack dynamic impact with your Crescendos. . As I’ve often written, there’s no substitute for actually listening to an audio product.
Charles |
Wig,
You’ve had the EML 300b tubes for 4 days, let me know how they perform as driver stage tubes. I’ve used the EML XLS for over 3 years in my amplifier as output tubes and they are stellar! Wig, you're as impressed with the 508ia as waltersalas. I completely trust both of you, no doubt that this is a superb sounding amplifier.
Charles |
Wig,
I’m glad you responded to thread as you’ve used multiple amplifiers with your Crescendos and in truth you have much valued experience in general. To the best of my knowledge the 508ia is hard wired and can used as strictly a power amplifier via bypassing the preamplifier section.From what I’ve read by numerous Line Magnetic owners the amplifiers are "very" quiet. I’m sure wig can address all of Grannyring’s inquiries.
Charles |
Hi Kenny,
Have you heard the LM 508ia specifically? Both Wig and Waltersalas described it as a sublime performer. I could see this and the Linear Tube Audio ZOTL 40 as both being terrific yet distinctly different in their sonic presentation.
Charles |
Wlutke,
The LM 508ia uses the 300b as the driver tube and 805 as the power output tube, 48 watts pure class A with SET topology. I hope you are able to contact Wig as he can share "actual " owner’s impressions of this amplifier with your Crescendos. He's ecstatic with the sound quality.
Charles |
Wlutke,
Audiogon member named "Wig" has these speakers and has driven them with Vac mono blocks and then the solid state Vitus amplifier. He currently uses the Line Magnetic 508ia and finds them the most satisfying thus far. I’d get in touch with him via audiogon email. He’s quite experienced and knowledgeable. As Grannyring astutely wrote musical genre, room size and listening volume all are factors to consider in amplifier selection. I’ve heard these speakers at shows on 4 separate occasions driven by the Triode Corp TRX 845 PSET mono blocks in spacious rooms and they were glorious! Builder Robert Lee has used them for obvious reasons, primarily because they mate brilliantly together.
Best of luck,
Charles |
