Shindo is a wonderful product but occupies a different price point. Line Magnetic gains my appreciation for the value proposition. True high quality audio performance at reasonable (although not cheap) cost. To get similar power from Shindo is much more money. The LM 219ia or 508ia wouldn't be embarrassed by amplifiers 2-3x their cost.
Charles |
Jkull,
When will you audition the two LM amplifiers? I've read that the preamplifier section of the 219ia can be considerably improved with better quality 12ax7 tubes.
Charles |
"with me ?"
Oh yeah! Your priority of excellent sounding midrange is the same as mine. Of course many sonic parameters are important but organic character and realism of the midrange takes precedence for me otherwise it's a waste of time. Many posters on audio forums seem to obsess about bass, I'll take great midrange with "merely " good bass than the other way around. I really believe that you're going to be very happy with the LM 219ia .
Charles |
Jkull,
Obviously I’ve no objective/scientific evidence to support my opinion, just a "gut feeling " based on my listening experiences and reading your thoughts and desires. I’d definitely go for the LM 219ia as I believe that it is an exceptionally good SET amplifier that will give you what you’re looking for. Again just my gut talking 😊. No knock on the McIntosh intended, but a good SET can go straight to your musical soul.
Charles |
Hello Wig,
Congratulations! I can imagine the pairing of that amplifier with your Acoustic Zen Crescendos, beautiful.
Charles |
Hi Wig , I’ve heard the Crescendos driven by the Triode Corp of Japan TRX series 845 PSET (higher tier model line of their amplifiers) on three separate occasions and that pairing was excellent each time. Mr. Lee (Acoustic Zen) has good taste and ears (and he was gracious and friendly). I truly believe that the LM SET amplifiers offer very similar sound quality at a quite reasonable cost. You have assembled a terrific system.
The SS Vitus and VAC push pull Pentode amplifiers you had are without doubt very good, but your SET offers more purity, transparency and emotion.
Charles |
Jkull,
After reading your listening impressions of the Cornwall I realize that your sonic/musical priorities are very similar to mine. If the Cornwall is more natural sounding than the B&W it’s the superior quality speaker. Natural is what you strive for otherwise you just have canned hifi reproduction.
If the Cornwall impresses you driven by Emotiva then you’re in for a genuine treat. I’d be near astonished if the LM 219ia isn’t a significant upgrade, every aspect of your sound should improve.
I’d strongly recommend that you at some point upgrade the internal wiring and crossover. From all I’ve read the Klipsch speakers really respond to this type of modification. Your amplifier deserves a high caliber speaker to reveal all of its potential, so these upgrades to the Cornwall are justified.
You are well on your way towards serious improvement in your audio system and listening enjoyment. For what you’re seeking to accomplish, the 219ia will be a better fit than the Emotiva amplifier.
Charles
|
Jkull,
When you do decide to modify the Klipsch crossover be certain to select a very high quality capacitor at the tweeter (high-pass filter) as it is a worthwhile endeavor. You will hear the obvious improvement in sound quality. I did this with my speakers and it was money well spent. Better parts do matter.
Charles |
John wrote "All transducers have their faults"
And so do all sources, electronics and cables. Furthermore all listeners have inherent biases. I have come to certain conclusions over the years based on hearing many types of audio systems and thus my own developed bias. Higher efficiency speakers paired with lower power amplifiers more often than not sound superior to inefficient (hard to drive)-speakers paired with high power amplifiers.
So for jkull to go from B&W with 500 watt Emotiva to klipsch Cornwall with a 22 watt SET amplifier makes absolute sense to me. This is my generalizing viewpoint and I do recognize that there are exceptions as always.
Charles |
John,
The consistent finding for me in addition to the ease is a more natural sound and aura of performer presence. Particularly when a SET is used. I can’t go back in the other direction, ever.
Charles |
Hello jkull,
It’s gratifying to read how pleased you are with the sound of your system with the addition of the LM 219ia SET amplifier. I’m not at all surprised and was pretty confident that it would turn out well for you. Your listening impressions are very early and quite enthusiastic, the good news is that the sound quality will further improve noticeably as the new amplifier burns in.
What you described is what high quality SETs are capable of providing with an appropriately matched speaker. Natural and realistic music reproduction that breathes life and emotion that is in some capacity unique to SET amplification. I can appreciate the stark contrast you distinguish between the SET and the SS emotiva, very different indeed. There is a genuine purity of the sound that enables an undeniable organic flesh and blood awareness to the listening experience. It makes some other amplifiers sound flat, uninspiring and frankly lifeless by comparison. As you've noticed already, tone and harmonics are just more believable and resolved.
You’ve received much feedback and opinions on this thread leading up to your decision to purchase the 219ia. I’m glad you took the opportunity to try this type of amplifier. In my opinion your admiration and sheer listening enjoyment are only going to increase over the course of time.
Charles |
I believe that there are numerous paths towards developing a truly satisfying audio system. I don’t doubt that a well restored vintage McIntosh tube amplifier is a good example. SET amplifiers by default have really simple circuits and fewer parts. This minimalist design if implemented to a high standard is going to result in a high degree of musical purity. jkull is hearing what he does in large part for this specific reason.
In an ideal world it’d be rewarding to directly compare the LM 219ia and McIntosh MC 225.
Charles |
Here's my take jkull. The 219ia is a serious no BS amplifier that has elevated your system. From this point onward every decision concerning further system changes should be based on the aspect of quality. You've moved beyond the sound/hifi stage and are in the realm of music reproduction and engagement/communicative interaction. This is where you want to be.
Charles |
Hi jkull,
The Decware ZP3 is "very" compelling for the following reasons.
1 Decware has earned a strong reputation for high quality sound and well thought out engineering and design.
2 The circuit is very simple triode based with tube rectification.
3 No negative feedback is used ( a major plus in my opinion).
4 The power supply is stout and over specified (good engineering decision).
5 Jupiter Beeswax capacitors are an available upgrade for 150.00 USD. Jupiter makes excellent capacitors. Your system is good enough to exploit these superior capacitors. Well worth the money.
This quality Phono Stage combined with the high caliber 219ia will yield a pure upper tier signal path,this = very natural and emotionally involving sound that many systems cannot achieve.
Charles |
Jkull,
At your listening levels are you usually above or below 1 watt of power? My "guess" is that you're using fractions of a watt.
Charles |
"I'm loving this thing "
I understand 😊
The really special components pull you straight into the heart of the music and compel you to continually listen.
Charles |
