Manhattan SET

by dkidknow on Done For Now
From listening seat
Tubes!

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 Merlin speakers, which could 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'd used Shuguang Treasure KT-66-Z for a long time but replaced them with GE Greyglass 6V6 drivers which tamed and focused the bass a bit once I moved from Merlin TSM monitors to the larger Merlins VSMs.  I’ve also used '50s GE Greyglass, Sylvania Chrome Top and surprisingly, newly made Russian Tung Sol 6V6, 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 Telefunken Smooth Plate 12AX7, which replaced PSVANE Treasure II 12AX7-T.  5751s were not to my liking.  Rectifier is a '60s Amperex-branded Mullard 5AR4.
    • Furutech DPS 4.1 Power Cable -- FI-50(R) Connectors
    From Furutech Wall Outlet to Integrated
    • The Chord Company Epic X Speaker Cable
    7M run
    • Auditorium 23 Interconnect
    1M RCA connects the Merlin Super BAM to the Line Magnetic Integrated
    • Tellurium Q Silver Diamond
    1M RCA from Brooklyn DAC to Merlin Super BAM
    1M RCA from Stellar Phono to Merlin Super BAM
    • Merlin Music Systems VSM-MMM
    With two-input Super BAM.  Merlin is an EXCELLENT match to my Line Magnetic amp.
    • Viborg Audiophile Power Cable
    5' run to power the Merlin Super BAM
    • Virtual Dynamics Power 3
    Spare for now, but going to swap out the Viborg to see which I like better on the Merlin Super BAM
    • Rega RP-6 Turntable
    • Dynavector DV-20X2L
    Low Output MC Cartridge
    • PS Audio Stellar
    Phono Preamp
    • AudioQuest Tornado Source Power Cord
    Power cord for the PS Audio Stellar Phono
    • Bluesound Vault 2 Media Server
    • VooDoo Cable Vision Digital (C7)
    Power to the Bluesound Vault
    • Audience AU-24e Digital Interconnect
    Between the Bluesound Media Server and the Brooklyn DAC
    • AudioQuest AudioQuest 0.75 m RJ/E Cinnamon 0.75 M Cat 7 Black Network Cable
    From wall to Bluesound Vault  for streaming
    • Mytek Brooklyn DAC
    • Revelation Audio Labs Precept 2
    Power cord for the DAC
    • Furutech GTX-D(R) NCF Duplex Outlet, GTX Wall Frame, 106D NCF Outlet Cover
    4 duplex outlets, frames and outlet covers for the whole system.

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

IMO that Line Magnetic in 60’s orange rivals Shindo’s signature forest green - so aesthetically spot-on. Love the system and its name (Manhattan SET).

toro3

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

I echo the sentiments above, cogratulations, and enjoy!

Regards,
Dan

islandmandan

Great system you have there! At some point I'd like to upgrade my tsm's to vsm's. Love your built-ins. Looks like there is enough room there for a TT and some vinyl.

skateman

Dkidknow,
Congratulations on assembling your very nice system. The fact that listening to it compels you to play the piano along with it says quite a lot. Your music reproduction in that room must be devine. I wish Tboooe could have heard that Line Magnetic amplifier with his speakers (a reviewer has done this and raved about the sound ).I believe that he'd be pleasantly surprised.
Charles,

charles1dad

Dkidknow, It is great that you have a piano in your listening room. Since I was a kid there was always a piano and or a guitar close by. I remember as a kid listening to to tunes on my dad's RCA console and playing along on the piano. Nice system and Happy listening!
Jet

jetrexpro

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

That's a cool set up but I can't help but wonder if you get some sympathetic resonance with the piano strings as the stereo plays.

seikosha

I'm jealous of the Line Magnetic integrated you have. I would love to try that out but my speakers are way to inefficient. Btw, what upright is that? We are a piano family too!

tboooe

Looks beautiful ! I'm sure the sound of music is mighty fine. Congratulations on a very nice system.

adam18

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