Line magnetic 508 with Tekton Double Impacts. Match Up
Greetings, all. I have indeed had some nice preamps in the past, several of which I would dearly love to have now to try with my LM 508. Alas, they are long gone. I have been running my 508 strictly as an integrated since I bought it and have been so pleased with the results (after tube rolling), that my incentive to shell out another $3-5K for a preamp has been fairly low. Then again, I am a big believer that a high quality preamp can and would add another dimension to the sound. I do not doubt at all that radiohead99's observations are spot on. One of these days, I'll find a good deal on a preamp and try it out. In your price range, you might find a Don Sachs Model 2 come up at some point, or one of the cheaper Backerts. Those are two I'd like to hear with the 508. I have an Allnic phono stage that I like a lot, so I bet radiohead99 is getting great results with the L300o Mk2. |
Thank you radiohead99!! Right now Im thinking more about getting a nice tube preamp under the 2K budget. What would say that a nice valve preamp could add to the LM508? I mean in terms of dinamics, sounstage, bass, fullness, etc. Any other opinions? I think I read Walter Salas has some nice valve preamps. I hope he can add something to the thread. |
@plga I use Allnic L3000 Mk2 with my LM 508. I know that doesn't answer your question as it's an all tube pre. However, Allnic is very neutral and balanced. It takes the LM to a new height (albeit transparency is reduced) allowing all the SET magic to shine and adds weights/authority/fullness to the bass. I think if you are looking for a SS pre, make sure it's utterly transparent and neutral such that it doesn't mask the SET beauty of LM 508. |
wig - I'm glad you're enjoying that combo. I have the Crescendo MKII and the Line Magnetic is on my radar. https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/amp-for-acoustic-zen-crescendo-2 |
Yep, I'm your man, bobster50. And thanks for the nice words, Charles. I don't know if I have "golden ears," but I have had a lot of equipment in and out over the years and tried lots of different speakers, amps, sources, and cables in my room, and I can tell you that the Line Magnetic 508 driving the Tekton Double Impact speakers is a truly impressive combination. Yes, I do think it is superb, as Charles stated above. I have not heard the Devore speakers, though I think Goldpoint Audio (my dealer for the LM 508) also sells Devore speakers and could most likely give you some useful insights into that particular combination. My reference speakers for several years have been the Daedalus Ulysses--and they are every bit as good as their reputation suggests. You can read my comments on the comparison with the Double Impacts in that very long and informative thread, for whatever that is worth. In short, the DI speakers hold their own and then some. A couple of points to consider. First, the LM 508 is very good with the stock tubes, but is going to be significantly better and, in my opinion, enter the rarefied air of the best amps I have ever heard, if you replace the stock tubes, especially the 6SN7 and 300B tubes. I am using some vintage Sylvania 6SN7s and EML XLS 300B, and this combination took the 508 to a completely different level. I would say that it went from great to sublime. :) Second, the Double Impacts will also sound good right out of the box, but may sound a little loose in the bass and perhaps not completely coherent, though I think you will find them to be incredibly impressive in some areas right away. However, after 50-200 hours of break-in, they are going to get better. A lot better. The bass has tightened up and gained focus, and the soundstage is holographic, with excellent imaging. You also get excellent tone, texture, and decay, especially if you have those NOS tubes in your 508 and an excellent source. Of course, that's a big 'if,' since I consider the source just as important as the amp and speakers. Garbage in, garbage out, as they say. But if you have a good source, I can't imagine you wouldn't really enjoy this combination of amp and speakers. I am more and more impressed every day. I hope that is helpful. |
