Manhattan SET

by dkidknow on Done For Now

Description

I've lucked into a real synergy between the Line Magnetic amplifier and the Merlin speakers-- I'm getting the timbral colors, spatial magic and organic flow of SET with all the PRAT I crave.

I posted in "Done for now," because I am not interested in replacing any of the components I have in place, but our attention does wander.
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Room Details

Dimensions: 28’ × 20’  X large
Ceiling: 9’

Components Toggle details

    • Line Magnetic 518-IA
    This integrated produces 22 watts from a pair of 845 tubes. Lots of low-end oomph, perhaps a little more than is actually there, but very tuneful and a great match for my speakers, which can be a little lean with the wrong electronics.  I replaced the pretty darn good PSVANE 845's that came with the amp for Shuguang 845-Bs and prefer the sound for sure.

    The LM can use a wide variety of power tetrodes and pentodes as drivers, so after a good deal of experimentation, I've been using Shuguang Treasure KT-66-Z for a while.  Prior to that, I've enjoyed a variety of 6V6 drivers ('50s GE Greyglass, Sylvania Chrome Top and surprisingly, newly made Russian Tung Sols, which are really really good and quite reasonably priced!). I sub in KT88s as drivers also, both original and Russian reissue Gold Lions. NOS WInged C EL34s were not my cup of tea at all.

    Current input tubes are PSVANE Treasure II 12AX7-T, which replaced both '60s Mullard CV4004s and Telefunken Smooth Plate 12AX7.  5751s were not to my liking.  Rectifier is a '60s Amperex-branded Mullard 5AR4.
    • Virtual Dynamics Power 3
    Power cord for integrated amp
    • Rega RP-6 Turntable
    • Dynavector DV-20X2L
    Low Output MC Cartridge
    • PS Audio Stellar
    Phono Preamp
    • Audience AU24-SE
    1M RCA connects Phono Pre to integrated amp.
    • Bluesound Vault 2 Media Server
    • Audience AU-24e Digital Interconnect
    Between the Bluesound Media Server and the Brooklyn DAC
    • Mytek Brooklyn DAC
    • Revelation Audio Labs Precept 2
    Power cord for the DAC
    • Auditorium 23 Interconnect
    1M RCA connects the DAC to the Integrated
    • Merlin Music Systems VSM-MMM
    With two-input Super BAM.  Merlin is an EXCELLENT match to my Line Magnetic amp.
    • Auditorium 23 Speaker Cable
    The 4.5M run was pricey but very much worth it. A great match for the Line Magnetic Gear.

Comments 12

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Owner
Thanks very much toro.  I had originally walked into the store intending to purchase the Leben CS300, but they suggested I try the Line Magnetic and it was a much better fit with my Merlins.  Credit to my wife who opined "Get the orange one-- it looks more serious I like the tubes in the open."  I'm a lucky guy!

Also should mention that I finally upgraded to VSMs and it's still a great match.  I was determined to buy some much pricier speakers, but then my eight year old had a recent playdate and his friend kicked over a TSM on a stand.  Complete face-plant.  The speaker was fine, but I realized I can't be spending five figures on speakers with little kids running around.  The VSMs sound so good, I'm not sure I'll be needing an upgrage even when the kids are out of the house!

dkidknow

Owner
My Cary 306/200 stopped working when we moved back in 2014, so I started using a $200 Oppo DVD player to play digital.  Between adding the analog rig and the Oppo dying as well, I have basically only listened to vinyl for the last 2 years.  I'm really happy with the sound, but still had many more CDs than records and my space for more records was limited.  

I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what solution to digital made the most sense to me in 2017 and settled on the Bluesound Vault 2 to store and stream digital, a Mytek Brooklyn DAC to handle the processing and a subscription to Tidal Hi-Fi to avoid having to buy new physical music and see what all the fuss is about.  I'm really enjoying having my music collection up to full strength and hearing music I love again.  I really love my analog rig and prefer listening to it but a lot of my favorites just aren't available on vinyl.  The Bluesound/Mytek combination is making me pretty happy.

dkidknow

Owner
System edited: Just added the Rega turntable with Dynavector cartridge and Heed preamp. My other choice was the Dynavector P75 MKiii, but I really preferred the Heed in my system. For about $300 more, it was no contest. The Heed's low output does mean I have to goose the amplifier volume a bit, but there's no noise when I do, and I'm getting satisfying levels. Very happy to be back spinning vinyl after many years!

dkidknow

Owner
Tboooe: it's a rebuilt Yamaha U3 from 1973. I am really enjoying it. This is our living room, and there's no TV, so I find I'm watching a bit less b/c I come home, listen to music, then when I hear something I really get into, I sit down and figure out how to play it.

Seikosha: haven't heard anything yet, but maybe I should weight the sustain pedal to lift the dampers and put weights on all the notes of the Scriabin Mystic Chord and see how it impacts my listening :P

I actually love having acoustic instruments in the listening room. Enjoy the thought that I have surfaces receptive to music surrounding me.

dkidknow

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