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

You should check out the Quicksilver V4, you can use KT88’s with those amps!
http://quicksilveraudio.com/products/v4/
If you don’t need that much power the mid mono’s are another option!
http://quicksilveraudio.com/products/midi-mono/

@facten 

I auditioned the LM216. It is a really good looking machine, but the sound quality was disappointing. There was even mains hum?! Also, I heard ringing. 

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. 

@soundwatts 

yes, that is a good looking machine. Can you run it on KT88s? Or do you have to use KT120s?

I don’t like KT120 as much, because they lack the historical pedigree of KT88s. 

@lalitk 

Good points. I prefer vintage gear. I think manufacturers were more honest about their goals in the past. 

My budget is $10,000 at most, for something really spectacular. But realistically, more in the 6k ballpark. 

Not sure what Line Magnetic amps you've listened to but I fully expeecty it wasn't a 518IA, a 219IA or a 508IA. If it was you have totally different listening experiences than me and a number of others

Hmmm!!! First time poster bashing a product. Credence??? I don’t think so.

I think my rogue audio cronus magnum 2 is a very good looking as well as a great sounding piece. The latter being most important. Just leave the cage off of the PL

Defiant,

It would be helpful to indicate your price range, new or used amp. 

Check out Audio Research VT-80. 

Check out the new Western Electric!
http://www.westernelectric.com/products/97a.html

The PL tube cages turned me off for years until I saw one real . I bought a demo Prologue Premium integrated then upgraded to Prologue Premium pre-amp and Prologue Premium mono-amps. Very happy 

Best tube amp aesthetics: SHINDO!!! Love that cool green finish! And impeccable internal build!

Check out the tasteful and understated looks (like a Scandinavian home!) of the Music Reference RM-200 amplifier. It also sounds real good, Michael Fremer putting it in Class A in Stereophile’s Recommended Components list.

One persons esthetic issues should be deemed irrelevant. And so I deem!

Stereophile says their preamp is one of the best buys for the money and kills other preAmps costing 5 times their price, I know for a fact that one of the writers has some of their equipment in his home reference system. 
www.AudioValve.info    

I love all of the equipment that a German company makes called AudioValve.
Amazing sound, tight bass and auto bias system and I have four different models. There's a new USA distributer and he advertises them on Audiogon.
I don't know what their audition policy is but I would strongly recommend them! 
If you like them I know the owner of the Company very well and I could probably get them for you 

Defiant,

I'm not going to go there with you. Good luck finding something you like.

Best,

E

@erik_squires 

Erik, thank you for your response. Does subtlety befit tube amplifiers? The best ones (Western Electric) were unabashedly industrial.

I think this is really a pretty unfair assessment. PL equipment is subtle at worst.

Maybe instead of making this thread about something you hate, you could try focusing on something you like. What is it about tube amps you like, what speakers are you going to drive, and what is your price range.

It is still easier on Audiogon to attract participation with passion rather than fury.

Best,

E