LM-845IA INTEGRATED TUBE AMPLIFIER - SINGLE-ENDED 845 - 2X22W
"A stone cold bargain" Stereophile Amplification component award winner
Background
Back in the 1990s, there was an explosion of interest in single-ended triode (SET) amplification. This was spearheaded by two great Japanese designers, Hiroyasu Kondo of Audio Note and Nobu Shishido of WAVAC. Both men designed and built stunning SET amplifiers that were just as much works of art as electronic components. We're talking hand-wound silver-wire transformers and custom-made coupling caps. While they were indeed quite wonderful, they were also on the pricey side. At the time, I hoped there was a less costly alternative.
The Behemoth Arrives
There's an old adage that starts "Be careful what you ask for...". The day the LM845 arrived I saw the UPS man struggle with the weight, which is close to 70lbs, and I thought uh oh. Excitedly I unpacked the LM845 and hauled it onto the Rack and switched it on. What an experience to see the glow of the tubes!
The Sound
The beauty of a SET amp is the directness of the presentation it produces. Many amps do well when dealing with a solo instrument, or paired with a voice, yet when more instruments get added into the mix things start to fall apart. Whether you are listening to a solo instrument or a whole symphony orchestra, the LM845 keeps it together. Then there is the delicacy. Violin or Piano just has to be heard to be believed - stunning. Cancel all appointments! Just listen.
Highlights
The LM-845IA delivers twenty-two watts per channel. Single-ended design, Pure Class A, Integrated Stereo Amplifier with 845 output power tubes. The rear-illuminated front panel meter is used to adjust the polarization of the tubes.
The use of high-quality components (Realcap capacitors, ALPS potentiometer) wired point-to-point, for the most part, is the guarantee of exemplary reliability. Its transformers output is of EI type, specially designed for power supply.
Its power and current capacity allow it to manage a very wide range of speakers. The use of the legendary triode 845 offers listening to an unusual musicality.
Engineering detail
Hand-made construction with the finest point-to-point wiring
Bias control is accessible on top of the amplifier panel with a true ampere meter.
Analog Inputs: 3 line inputs Load impedance: 4/8/16Ω
SoftStart and time-delay circuit. (30 seconds)
Specially designed EI transformer for power supply
Two EI output transformers with wide bandwidth are applied
ALPS volume control and Realcap capacitors are applied.
Metal and removable tube guard cage and Infrared
Remote control included
TUBES
Input stage: 2x 12AX7
Rectifier: 1x 5AR4
Drivers: 2x 6P3P
Power stage: 2x 845 single-ended design and pure class A
TUBE FLEXIBILITY
Standard Common Replacements
12AX7 12AX7EH, ECC83, E83CC, CV4004, ECC803, 5751
12AU7 ECC82, 12AU7EH, 5814, 6189, CV4003
EL34 6CA7
Reviews
"Despite the Line Magnetic's scary-high voltages and intense heat, in the months it spent in my home it performed faultlessly, without stutters, burps, or parts failures. It brought a new dimension to my musical enjoyment, revealing the physicality and force in every recording I played through it, from Monteverdi to Merle Haggard, an experience that provided addictive amounts of fun."
"Using nearly any sensible metric of value, the Line Magnetic is a stone bargain. If Rubens had lived in the hi-fi age, I imagine that he would have appreciated its way of making music pulse with vigor and vitality. Unless you listen to little except baroque trio sonatas, and maybe even then, you should find a way to hear one. It's that good."
read the review by Stereophile
"If you were waiting for the part of this review where I talk about warmth, big bloated bass, and a soft glow covering the music like fog, you’ve got the wrong tube amp. The Line Magnetic LM-845iA is a tube integrated amplifier for people who think they need massive megawatt solid-state monoblocks to get real beastly power. At less than 5 grand, the Line Magnetic LM-845iA walks the walk."
"The Line Magnetic LM-845iA doesn’t have a sound so much as it has a force. Of course, it imparts a sonic fingerprint, every amplifier has sticky fingers, but its touch in this regard is rather light. What you get out of the LM845iA feels like what you put in with every last ounce of energy intact from the refined to the ferocious. Bravo!" read the review
"The Line Magnetic 845iA is the sort of product you get out of bed for in the morning"
"The sheer force took me by surprise. The 845iA had announced itself, sounding much stronger than any 22wpc solid-state design. Want dynamic slam? The Line Magnetic gives us it in spades. At the same time, out the window went any (clichéd) notion of bass looseness"
read the review in Darko
Specifications
pdf Manual download
- Class A amplifier - 2x22W RMS
- THD: 1% (1kHz)
- Signal/Noise ratio: 87dB (Weighted A)
- Frequency response (-1.5dB): 10 - 50.000 Hz
- Sensitivity: 220 mV (Built-in Mode)
- Input Impedance: 100kΩ
- Load impedance for HP to connect: 4/8/16Ω
- 3x Line inputs RCA (pair)
- 1x Pre-in input
- Dimensions (L x H x P): 365 x 250 x 340 mm -14 1/3" x 9 4/5" x 13 1/3"
- Weight: 35 Kg
- Finish: Black
- Warranty Two years parts & labor / 90 days on tubes. The warranty covers the cost of repair and return shipping.
