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Cayin, Line Magnetic, and Willsenton with 805 Feedback

I am considering one of the following integrated amplifiers and I'm looking for feedback from others familiar with these amplifiers or have experience with the brands. We listen to a wide variety of music but classic rock and jazz are at the top of our listening list and our speakers are vintage JBL L100s. I'm familiar with the PrimaLuna 300i so any comparisons to it will be appreciated. I am interested in how well it sounds, it's build quality, reliability, and anything else you think is noteworthy. The manufacturers are Cayin, Line Magnetic, and Willsenton so do you have feedback on them?

The amplifiers are:

  • Cayin CS-805A
  • Line Magnetic LM-805ia
  • Willsenton R800i with 805 tubes

Thanks in advance for your help.

bannon
lmnop
82 posts
 

I have an older Cayin A-50T Integrated. Never had any issues with it. Similar listening tastes and it sounds really good with a pair of vintage JBL L200’s. 

2psyop's avatar
2psyop
1,941 posts
 

My gut feeling and limited experience tells me that whatever amp brand one settles on, it’s imperative you have at best a reliable warranty or at least find a repair facility in advance of purchase who can gets parts, schematics and can fix it.

macg19
1,376 posts
 

My experience with LM was positive. But I owned the LM-88IA. Build quality is very good. When I was ready to move on, it sold quickly and made room for a Raven Osprey which was awesome but obviously more $$$

ive now moved on to SS based on speaker choice but I really enjoyed the Osprey.

helomech
2,012 posts
 

Can’t speak for LM or Willsenton, but Cayins are indeed excellent. In fact I wouldn’t hesitate to pit Cayin performance against the likes of VAC and Audio Research. 

I had an original Cayin A88T that was built in 2006. I was at least its second owner—owned it for about 6 years between 2017 and 2023. It never gave me any issues other than a failed preamp tube, and is/was built like a tank. 
 

The Rogue Cronus Dark is also around your price range and sounds excellent. 

ericsch
777 posts
 

Completely agree with @helomech. I still own a Cayin A88T Mk II that I purchased around 2007. It sounds great, built like a tank and responds well to upgrading the preamp tubes. I rotate the Cayin into my system with a Luxman integrated.     

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