MWalt
Super Member
I made an appointment at Don Better Audio in East Cleveland today. Don Better has a boutique audio store located in a bazillion dollar century home that has a bunch of real cool rooms of very high end equipment. I was there for two reasons; I wanted to demo the Line Magnetic amps and the Well Tempered Amadeus Turntable. I learned a lot by this experience. I can assure you that Mr. Better is a very nice guy and extremely helpful in regards to assisting his customers in the audio hobby as well as being a gracious host. After walking around in a daze looking at Shindo, Tannoy, DeVore and other equipment that I will never have, we got down to demo the LM amps. I was most interested in the LM 216IA and the 211IA. The first thing I noticed is that the Line Magnetic amp is built like a brick shithouse. I love the easy bias adjustment and the plain industrial rugged appearance. Don had the amp (211IA) set up with a Musical Fidelity CDP and a pair of DeVore Gibbon standmounts. He played a couple cuts and my first impression was that the sound was VERY clean, tight and articulate. Sweet highs. It just sounded great! I did miss the lowest register of bass and I asked Don if the amp had a preout for a subwoofer and he gave me this look of complete amazement that I would even consider a sub with a high end system. It struck me as hilarious and made me think of Art Kyle and his stance on integrated subs, and in that moment I completely "got" ArtK. I just laughed and told Don to cut me some slack because, "hell it hasn't even been that long since I graduated to no tone controls". As we listened to both the 216IA and the 211IA, I came to the conclusion that I loved both of these amps. Don seemed to be partial to the EL34 tubes, but after listening to both, I ended up preferring the KT88 amp. Does it sound better than my Plinius amp? No, but it sounded as good in a different way. I have to have one! I found it interesting that the DeVore Gibbons are rated at the same sensitivity level as my Nola's so this amp will work. I don't want to bore you with flowery metaphors and Joe reviewer analogies, so you will just have to take my word on it. I just know "good" when I hear it and so will you.
It was now time to demo the turntable. The Well Tempered Amadeus is well built and...different. It was kind of hard to wrap myself around a golfball and some fishing line for a tone arm, but after I listened to it I was sold. I know my Basis Audio 1400 beats up on Rega RP3's, lower end VPI's, and modded SL-1200's but the Amadeus just wipes the floor with my Basis. This is the TT that anyone should want. Don has had customers trade in their 10k decks for this one. At $2800 it is a steal. I will buy this one at my earliest oppportunity. The good news here is that this amp and turntable are affordable for average middle class folks like myself. Don Better audio will get my business very soon!
It was now time to demo the turntable. The Well Tempered Amadeus is well built and...different. It was kind of hard to wrap myself around a golfball and some fishing line for a tone arm, but after I listened to it I was sold. I know my Basis Audio 1400 beats up on Rega RP3's, lower end VPI's, and modded SL-1200's but the Amadeus just wipes the floor with my Basis. This is the TT that anyone should want. Don has had customers trade in their 10k decks for this one. At $2800 it is a steal. I will buy this one at my earliest oppportunity. The good news here is that this amp and turntable are affordable for average middle class folks like myself. Don Better audio will get my business very soon!
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