New Line Magnetic 508ia Integrated Amp

Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by GoldprintAudio, May 20, 2016.

  1. Strat-Mangler

    Strat-Mangler Personal Survival Daily Record-Breaker

    Location:
    Toronto
    Looking forward to your tone report. Here's what the buyer for the one I had for sale sent me a couple of days ago.

    "Very much in love with the 508, and much more depth , beauty and love from the Mullard you provided."
     
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  2. jmpsmash

    jmpsmash Forum Resident

    Location:
    Santa Clara, CA
    I will write up a final report when I am done. Might take a few more weeks as I have a few more parts to upgrade and they also need some burning in.
     
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  3. chipcalzada

    chipcalzada Forum Resident

    Location:
    The Philippines
    Can I ask how much burn-in time did you spend with the Mundorfs? I understand that the Jupiters are better but the cost is a deterring factor for me. I have a variety of Mundorf caps both in my integrated amp and phono pre and they were worthwhile upgrades in both applications but sounded underwhelming prior to the break-in.

    They are certainly better than the stock caps and IME just needed break-in time to show its qualities.
     
  4. jmpsmash

    jmpsmash Forum Resident

    Location:
    Santa Clara, CA
    ~250 hours. I hooked them up in my tube DAC as a decoupling cap and left them powered up with music running for 11 days, 24 hours a day.

    I knew the Jupiter is better too. The cost difference is around $100 for 4 caps. I tried to save money but I ended up now spending even more.
     
    Last edited: Sep 14, 2020
  5. chipcalzada

    chipcalzada Forum Resident

    Location:
    The Philippines
    I see, 250 hours should be enough time, sorry it didn't work out. You could always try to sell the Mundorfs or keep it on the shelf for future projects. I sprung for them because the Mundorf SGO dropped in price, I remember 2 years ago they were selling for $80-90 per cap whereas now they go for $50.
     
  6. jmpsmash

    jmpsmash Forum Resident

    Location:
    Santa Clara, CA
    yeah. I am pretty sure burn in isn't the issue here. Probably just not the cap for this application or no synergy with this amp.

    I originally followed the Humble Hifi reviews and they were the best in terms of rating/price ratio. Humble reviewed them in crossover application. Only after I ordered them then I see more DIYer who find them lacking in amp applications.

    I probably sell them at a loss.
     
  7. adamaley

    adamaley Forum Resident

    Sure thing. Take your time.
     
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  8. jmpsmash

    jmpsmash Forum Resident

    Location:
    Santa Clara, CA
    How long does it take to burn in a pair of Cossor 805?
     
  9. jmpsmash

    jmpsmash Forum Resident

    Location:
    Santa Clara, CA
    Coz mine has around 50 hours right now and they still sound dreadful.
     
  10. Strat-Mangler

    Strat-Mangler Personal Survival Daily Record-Breaker

    Location:
    Toronto
    Save yourself the trouble and do what I did ; NOS RCA 805s = terrific and the end.
     
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  11. adamaley

    adamaley Forum Resident

    Wondering if anyone has heard both the RCA 805s and the Acme 805s in this amp. A comparison would be great.
     
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  12. Ontheone

    Ontheone Poorly Understood Member

    Location:
    Indianapolis
    I was thinking the same. The ACME 805's seem to be the gold standard but the RCA's should be quite a bit cheaper if you can find them.
     
  13. Strat-Mangler

    Strat-Mangler Personal Survival Daily Record-Breaker

    Location:
    Toronto
    Send 'em over and I'll do exactly that! ;)
     
  14. Ontheone

    Ontheone Poorly Understood Member

    Location:
    Indianapolis
    The Mullard just arrived today and it has about 1 hour on it so far. Already liking what I'm hearing versus the RCA 5691 red base that it replaced. Nice added overall weight, richness, and bass extension without any notable loss of air. The highs may be slightly more rounded although the tube is a bit more detailed.
     
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  15. Strat-Mangler

    Strat-Mangler Personal Survival Daily Record-Breaker

    Location:
    Toronto
    See? :D
     
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  16. Ontheone

    Ontheone Poorly Understood Member

    Location:
    Indianapolis
    Yep, your description was actually dead on target. Thanks!
     
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  17. jmpsmash

    jmpsmash Forum Resident

    Location:
    Santa Clara, CA
    And I made an offer and got the sibling from the same seller. should be here in a few days.
     
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  18. Strat-Mangler

    Strat-Mangler Personal Survival Daily Record-Breaker

    Location:
    Toronto
    Let me know how it all works out. :)
     
  19. jmpsmash

    jmpsmash Forum Resident

    Location:
    Santa Clara, CA
    hopefully better than the Cossor!
     
  20. Strat-Mangler

    Strat-Mangler Personal Survival Daily Record-Breaker

    Location:
    Toronto
    Chinese/Russian tubes are unfortunately junk, sound-wise. Get the highest reputable NOS stuff you can afford. You'll immediately be rewarded with the best sound and reliability. It is tempting to spend on something entirely new rather than used but I've always been unsuccessful to find current production tubes that'd sound as good or better than NOS. It sucks for my wallet but my ears thank me everyday. :)

    The more a circuit is dependent tone-wise on the tubes, the more of an impact the higher quality NOS stuff will make.
     
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  21. jmpsmash

    jmpsmash Forum Resident

    Location:
    Santa Clara, CA
    @Strat-Mangler : Where do you find the cable to attach to the top cap to the 805 tube?
     
  22. Strat-Mangler

    Strat-Mangler Personal Survival Daily Record-Breaker

    Location:
    Toronto
    You need to make one. You can find the parts on eBay, for instance. Since I don't solder, I had my tech do it but it'll likely be a piece of cake for someone like you. My tech was quite surprised to see the RCA measuring about 3x stronger than the Psvanes I had which weren't even a year old. I'm sure they'll last me quite a long time.
     
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  23. jmpsmash

    jmpsmash Forum Resident

    Location:
    Santa Clara, CA
    How important is it to have matching tubes? I see most of them for sale are singles. The tube was designed for radio transmission so they don't come in matched pairs... :biglaugh:
     
  24. jmpsmash

    jmpsmash Forum Resident

    Location:
    Santa Clara, CA
    for the top cap cable. on the amp side, what connector is it? just regular banana plug?
     
  25. Ontheone

    Ontheone Poorly Understood Member

    Location:
    Indianapolis
    besides @thomaskong has anyone else tried the ACME 805 tubes?
     

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