Topic: Cayin vs. Line Magnetic integrated tube amplifiers-impressions?

[Icu Doc]

Hi! I am planning to purchase an all tube integrated amplifier and have personally auditioned the Cayin A-55TP and the Line Magnetic 216A but have not seen any store that sells them both. It is hard to decide based on the sound alone as both were setup with different speakers and in different environments using different sources and types of music. Any thoughts on your impressions on these two good integrated tube amplifiers? Cayin seems to be ahead as far as integrating more extras for there upcoming models such as the CS55A which has a built in USB dac, phono stage and a headphone output. My confusion lies with deciding on which brand to get and whether to wait for the upcoming Cayin models which are about to be launched in our country. Thanks for your input.

[Superman]

Audio Amplified in QC carries both.

[dench]

Aside from sound and build quality, you might want to consider the type of after-sales service and resale value that you could get from the two brands you mentioned.

[qguy]

Even if you find a store that has both and determine that amp A sounds better than amp B, amp A will sound different once you bring it to your room with your speakers and other equipment.

Hi! I am planning to purchase an all tube integrated amplifier and have personally auditioned the Cayin A-55TP and the Line Magnetic 216A but have not seen any store that sells them both. It is hard to decide based on the sound alone as both were setup with different speakers and in different environments using different sources and types of music. Any thoughts on your impressions on these two good integrated tube amplifiers? Cayin seems to be ahead as far as integrating more extras for there upcoming models such as the CS55A which has a built in USB dac, phono stage and a headphone output. My confusion lies with deciding on which brand to get and whether to wait for the upcoming Cayin models which are about to be launched in our country. Thanks for your input.

[sientobente]

Audio Amplified is the distributor for both. One of their dealers, What Hifi in Makati Cinema Square carries both brands.

[RXV]

Best if you bring your gears to the store.
A bit of a hassle, but better than getting disappointed that the amp didn't match with your system.

[CoolTOYZPH]

In tube gears it is really not the make but the tubes installed.
For both brands most likely the tubes installed are Chinese tubes.
I would inspect the tubes sold with the unit and purchase the unit with a tube upgrade the seller is willing to give. HTH.

[jjohnc]

Sa market place may ad ako under Listening in Style dealer po kami....

[Skidmarks]

Its the tubes that make the tones

[qguy]

The tubes plays a significant factor, but Its not only the tubes, but the design and all the parts in the tube amplifier makes its own contribution to the sound of the amplifier, otherwise all the amplifiers would all be the same and the tubes brand and model would be the deciding factor.

If i were to go back to tubes, I would go with Cayin, I had the Class A version of the  A-70T before, the design is solid and the craftmanship is outstanding. The only thing i dont like about the Cayin and the other tube brands is  the tubes installed. If you can buy the amp without the tubes, go for it and get better tubes, its night and day difference.

[Icu Doc]

Thanks for all your input. I guess the next step is to audition them side by side. And let my ears decide.

[RXV]

The tubes plays a significant factor, but Its not only the tubes, but the design and all the parts in the tube amplifier makes its own contribution to the sound of the amplifier, otherwise all the amplifiers would all be the same and the tubes brand and model would be the deciding factor.

+1

[tony]

+1

+100000

[geevee]

The tubes plays a significant factor, but Its not only the tubes, but the design and all the parts in the tube amplifier makes its own contribution to the sound of the amplifier, otherwise all the amplifiers would all be the same and the tubes brand and model would be the deciding factor.

Amen to this... I have bought a number of tube amps the past two years... From Yaqin, to Cayin, to CJ to Cary etc.... I have gone from using a Chinese amplifier using NOS preamp and power tubes to branded American Amplifiers using just new production tubes... Amplifier A will never sound like a Amplifier B irregardless of the tube installed. I dunno but probably its a combination of the tubes, the circuit, and the transformers.... Maybe some gurus can enlighten us??

[tony]

don't forget the speaker you connected to your amps... that played a very major role.....
i do not listen to the sound of tubes, i listen to music instead....YMMV......

i also listen to the sound of amplifier topologies, so far so good....

[AudioAmplified]

Many factors affect the performance on an amplifier. 

1)  Matching - with speakers, IC, source. 
2)  Type of music being played. 
3)  Modifications made (i.e. tubes, capacitors). 
4)  Listening room - sometimes the room can be "bright" or "dark".
5)  MOST importantly personal preference.

The advantage of tube amplifiers is that they allow the owner a bit more flexibility in "tailor fitting" the amplifier to their personal taste by tube rolling and modifying the capacitors and such. 

Best thing to do is to listen to your "target" amp with your speakers and then let your ears decide which one sounds the best for you.   

[mgl]

how much retail brand new for line magnetic lm2161a?

[tony]

ask about the after sales service, what are the terms and conditions and then compare, which ever gives the most benefit is it...