Power tubes as drivers -- Line Magnetic

I own the Line Magnetic 518IA. I have reviewed it on www.wallofsound.ca

First, the stock power tubes are great. They are the Psvane HiFi Series. Good to see that LM didn't just put cheap entry level Shuguangs in. I just bought a pair of HiFi Series from PartsConnexion. They are identical to the stock tubes.

The most important tube to roll is the 12ax7. I have some Psvane Treasure mk2's in right now. These are remarkable tubes--brilliant from top to bottom.
My favorite, though, is the TJ Full Music 12ax7. So warm! The new production Genalex Gold Lions work very well too.

Second, in order of importance, I think, is the rectifier. I would remove the stock Shuguang and replace it with NOS or with a current production Mullard, Genalex or Tung-Sol. I have the current production Mullard. This, plus the Psvane 12ax7s, has eliminated all hum. Plus consider an Emotiva CMX-2 to get rid of hum produced by your line.

Third, the driver tubes. I am a 6L6 freak. I have over a dozen pairs than I use in single ended amps. After rolling all sorts of 6L6s and EL34s, I settled on... wait for it... Shuguang Treasure black bottles. The ones sold about 2 to 3 years ago. They impart a muscular tone and rhythmic drive to the amp that I find compelling.

This amp really is incredible. It is so fast, but so smooth. It has unlimited reserves of power with most dynamic speakers. You won't use it for Maggies, but virtually everything else will work.

I've read your review Tim and have shared a lot of your observations. Kudos on a well written review that really captures the soul of this amp!

Although you and my dealer both suggested the preamp tubes would make a lot of difference, I've found them to make a more subtle difference, although I haven't done a proper shoot out with all my tubes on hand. I'm liking a pair of 1960's Mullard CV4004 best so far. Agree the rectifier is very important. I'm using a '60s Mullard there too, and it widened the soundstage considerably. I haven't experimented with many 6L6 or 5881 types, but looking for a nice pair of KT66 to try. So far, my favorite drivers have been a pair of 1950s RCA Greyglass 6V6 tubes I pulled out of a non-working RCA console radio I bought at a consignment shop, and an original pair of Genelex Gold Lion KT88 I happened upon on another tube hunting excursion. I must say I think the drivers are important too. It's probably more a case of making sure it's not a bad fit-- the good ones all work well, but a pair of EL-34s (and they we're pretty good ones) made the amp sound almost broken to my ears.

Agreed its a fantastic amp. Looking forward to adding an analog source quite soon!

I have had the amp since the spring. It amazes me day after day. Try some NOS Philips Miniwatt 12ax7s. I have those Mullards you mention; they're great. But I like the Philips better because they produce a fatter tone. That's just down to personal taste….

What is the return policy on those dealers that would not allow a home audition?
If they would allow a return if the match was not what you wanted along with a refund and not store credit I might go for the purchase and give it a try.
I can't believe dealers that would not allow a home audition of higher end gear; to me the wrong business model.
These amps look very interesting to me as well.

I have found that the 5751 (GE, JG5751 Blackplate '57) is a phenomenal input tube in this amp. Very smooth, great extension, none of the 'glassiness' that I heard with the stock tube. I also tried a JAN Sylvania 12ax7 that was better than stock but not near as good as the 5751. So far I am preferring 6L6 & 6V6 types over EL34 or 6P3P. I fing the 6L6 and 6V6 to be very similar with the 6L6 to have a little better bass presence. The stock 6P3P was a bit veiled across the entire freq. spectrum compared to these other 2 types.