I Find Primalunas Ugly. How about You? Is there an alternative?

Op...Check out Raven Audio website.  I have the Raven Reflection Integrated MK2 tube amp.  Great look and super power and sound.  Dave Thomson is the owner and is more than happy to spend a lot if time describing what you can get in all price ranges.

No, I don't find them ugly.  The curved grill cage gives them a bit of character, in my opinion.  Resemblance to a breadbox adds to the charm.  

https://www.audioadvice.com/content/2017/09/25/primaluna-prologue-premium-review/

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.

@facten

Thank you for the reviews. The hum issue, that the reviewer discovered, really bothers me. I also heard hum in a LM-216; JA found LM-518 to be noisy in his review in the Stereophile. Could these be the fruits of low quality manufacturing? What is the quality level of LM transformers? For example, the ultrasonic resonance that the JA discovered in his review of LM-518 was in my view unacceptable for an amplifier in a price class this high.

As others have said, take the cage off and the PL looks like any other tube amp. Put the cage back on when you have little kids with sticky hands over that don’t listen.

@lancelock wow I will have to check out the ZOTL

I have a PL Dialogue Premium pre but almost didn't buy it due to not being a fan of the breadbox look (curved tube cage). Glad I got over it as I've been very happy with the sound. I usually have the cage off as most of my listening is done at night with the room darkened and I love to see the tubes glow. When I have the cage in place I think nothing of it - guess it bothered me when I was looking to buy but no issues now. Lots of choices out there so take your time and do plenty of research. Good luck!

@mulveling ....totally agree.  PL is not my cup of tea either, but I’m much more concerned with sound than looks.  Give me substance.  Perhaps that’s why we’re Tannoy aficionados.  Best.....

@mulveling 

Thanks, man. You raise some excellent points. 

I don’t get all the op bashing; our hobby would be better off if more of us (and especially reviewers) were willing to be brutally frank about what we DIDN’T like -- but oh, that might offend somebody! And presto, we have a 2nd hand FS market glutted with models that nobody ever wrote a bad word about (and hence the eternally stupid buyer question "why are you selling?").

I don’t love the Prima Luna look either, op, but I don’t think it’s bad. They did a pretty good job suppressing and smoothing out most of the gaudy bits of the typical Chinese tube amp. There was clearly some good attention to detail here. Tube cage is ugly, though.

This is a hobby about the love of music.  What the H does it matter?  I owned a pair of VTL Deluxe 300 for 15 years... now those things look like something resurrected in a Mad Max movie.  "Industrial"-looking is a compliment.  I had to close one eye to look at them.

I own a PrimaLuna HP integrated... I think it is nice looking.  But hey... I care about the music.

Peace
Bruce in Philly

@mdeblanc , I once owned the Decware ZMA and I do consider it a work of art and sounded pretty darn good too. I sold it for the ugly duckling LTA ZOTL 40 and the sound has me hooked for life.

@defiantboomerang,

If you decide to go with decware, let me know your thoughts.

One of the parties involved in the manufacture of Prima Luna amps has a sideline in imprisoning winners of the Nobel Peace prize among other nasty things. Beauty is only skin deep but ugly is to the bone!
http://https//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China_National_Aero-Technology_Import_%26_Export_Corporation

Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. I am less interested in Audio art work than in I am in beautiful sound. I think the PR’s look fine but there are many better sounding amps to be had regardless of what Stereophile says. Their reviews are meaningless, bought and paid for. Just my opinion of course.

@aolmrd1241 

Sorry bro, didn’t want to weird you out. I just love old school industrial design. There is some undeniable honesty that emanates from such devices. 

@lalitk 

Thank you, they do look very refined. Do they make any models with E-I transformers? I am not big on the toroidal ones. 

@defiantboomerang,
I strongly recommend you to go audition the Line Magnetic 219ia. Other models are also very good, but this one is the flagship and it produces a fabulous sound without a hint of noise. 
If you like it I can sell you one for far less than the regular price. Just send me a message and I'll give you all the details (photos, videos, information, etc). 

The Primalunas just need to lose the cages.

defiantboomerang .."To see where I’m coming from let me give you an example of an amplifier that I find beautiful: Audio Research Dual 50."

Really? Here are comparison photos... I guess beauty really is in... ’the eye of the beholder.’

https://dagogo.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/PrimaLuna-Dialogue-HP-2.jpg

SnS2RMHPeeE/T3WuToR8zzI/AAAAAAAADXs/tVTU3Im_eTM/s1600/ARC_DUAL50B_top.jpg

I would check out the Rogue Cronus Magnum 2 or the Leben CS600, both in my view look great and sound great.

The Primalunas, without cages, are great looking. I wsh quicksilver’s preamps looked as good as their power amps

Defiant, 

check out Mastersound, fabulous sounding amp. I sat in the demo for about an hour and didn’t wanna leave the room (RMAF 2017).

http://www.mastersoundsas.it/1/power_amplifiers_4432639.html

If interested, speak with Skip at Audiothesis (very nice guy) and he will hook you up. 

@bpoletti

Not cool, bro. I am grateful to those colleagues who posted useful advice. You could have done the same. I'm sure you know a lot about audio.

Take the tube cage off.

To me, it seems like you're just NOT interested in the music. 

@maplegrovemusic

It looks much better without the cage, that is true. But the fact that it is so shiny/smooth and that all transformers are in the same housing puts me off.

To see where I'm coming from let me give you an example of an amplifier that I find beautiful: Audio Research Dual 50. Now that is a beauty! Form follows function to the max. Or a Marantz 8b. Just gorgeous!

@falconquest

Agree to disagree. I saw it too and my reaction was different.

@bpoletti

I am a very visual type. If I think that my equipment is an eyesore, it spoils the music. I guess you are lucky not to have this issue.

@mdeblanc

Now, these are some good looking amplifiers. Much more revealing of their functions. Thank you.

I highly recommend that you visit Dave @ Audio Doctor in Jersey City, NJ (even if you have to hire private jet to get there).

Can’t imagine the two of you not hitting it off.

DeKay

The cage is not affixed or welded . Simply take it off and put back in the shipping box if you do not like it's looks !

I saw the PrimaLuna amp in person about a month ago. Quite frankly I thought they were very classy looking. To each his own I guess.

It's a good performer.  If you don't like the way it looks, listen with the lights out.  What is the point of investing in great-performing equipment, anyway?  Is it for you to stare at or are you actually going to listen to music?

something you hate is a fine topic - to fix this, either put them in a custom made box that looks like the LM's you like the looks of or repl. with something you like better in looks and still like the osund of

I think there are many tube amps out there. It really depends on your budget. Also I respect your opinion on LM Audio but you are the first person I have heard who has stated they sound terrible. I have the 216ia and it sounds better than Rogue or Primaluna to my ears and fits my budget. If you have easy-to-drive speakers, take a look at Border Patrol amps.

To the OP, I remember that look but it appears they have reverted to a more traditional design. Anyway, to each his own. Have you checked out decware.com? Look there and see if they have something more to your liking. And 'no', I am not compensated by, or affiliated with, decware...just in case anyone reading this thinks otherwise.

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

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

Well, you could look at Rogers or Jadis.  But I recommend just sticking to Rogue.

@facten

Many thanks. Just two follow up questions.

* Which amp is better in your view, LM518 or LM219?
* Are LM amplifiers quality products? I am troubled by the fact that  JA discovered so much noise in his review.

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

@tablejockey 

No hard feelings, bro. 

Defiant-Your response indicates  you "don't get it"

"troll" is not meant as a desparaging remark.Wait, Im explaining myself...

If you can't understand what I meant by "this troll"....apolgies. We just have your words to go by, so I take it at face value. You're reading these responses, others here are essentially interpreting your opening remarks as I have.

Just listen to a PL system WITHOUT the cage, it will look pretty much the same as a LM piece, then report back to give a thumbs up or down.

Sound quality and aesthetics, ultimately are subjective.
No one here, has your ears and perception

Otherwise,research and listen to as much as possible. Consider used, and ignore listing prices, while RESPECTFULLY submitting your offer. Everything is negotiable.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_troll

Check out www.zestoaudio.com. I've had the opportunity to listen to their system several times. I have the Andros PS1 Phonostage in my system since 2012. I would definitely transition to their pre-amp and monoblocks if I had the money. I'm considering upgrading the Andros to the Tessera because I have two tonearms, both with MC cartridges. I'm kind of tired swapping the cables. The Tessera supports four connected tonearms and you can simply flick a switch.

And I love the way that they look. But then again, I'd be happy with the Primaluna as well

@yogiboy 

Thank you. Very nice amplifiers. 

@tketcham 

You are right. I am relatively new. But I have to start learning somehow. 

@tablejockey 

We can have polite disagreements. No need to call me names. I have asked for advice. Many have given valuable advice. You have chosen to insult me. No need for that, bro. 

Okay, I will take a bite of this troll...

The OP has phrased his request poorly. He bashes a line without mentioning if he even heard a system with said brand. 

He expects everyone else to have HIS ears and perception as to what's a "decent" alternative?   

Lame. A very weak first post