VAC 30/70...pick your pre?

Wig, nice to hear as the 160 was on the list. Helping solidify the decision and now Im torn between the 508 and 219 at this point.  

Phaun16,
Is there a reasonable way for you to find a Line Magnetic dealer who has both amplifiers and plan a trip specifically to hear them? I feel it'd be well worth the effort.  I believe that you'll be very happy with with either amplifier. 
Charles 

Charles, 

I think I am going to try NYC as it's only a couple hours from Philly; I don't know if they currently carry either of them though.  Texas is a bit far, although I do have plenty of airline miles, but they currently only have the 508, as the guy that originally bought the 508 traded it out for the 219.  
I will only have about 5 inches of breathing room up with the 219. 

I will only have about 5 inches of breathing room up with the 219.

Hmm. Both amps are specified as consuming 400 watts of power. (Although I’m a bit surprised that the 219ia isn’t closer to something like 300 watts, or even a bit less). Nearly all of that power will be converted into heat, and radiated directly upward. Hopefully that space is open at both the rear and the front, and hopefully the material that is above the amps is heat resistant (and won’t conduct the heat into a component that may be above that surface). Otherwise, and possibly even given those conditions, I would have significant concern even with the 10 inches of clearance you would have with the 508ia.

Best regards,
-- Al

Al, 

The space is open to the front, back, and sides (I use a Salamander triple 20); and although my current amp (though only 6L6 and not 845s) has 10 inches of clearance with about 350W consumption, I have added a small sheet of thermal radiant barrier with good results of keep heat down.