Author Topic: The Line Magnetic LM-502CA Dac  (Read 136233 times)

Offline ozmillsy

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Re: The Line Magnetic LM-502CA Dac
« Reply #120 on: October 07, 2014, 08:02:57 PM »
Terry has been prompting me to have a play with this one for awhile, but I havent had a chance,,,,,,,

http://www.signalyst.com/consumer.html
It's all about the music,, not the equipment.

Offline zenelectro

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Re: The Line Magnetic LM-502CA Dac
« Reply #121 on: October 08, 2014, 05:26:32 PM »
Cool thanks again for the info.  The WaveIO (http://luckit.biz/) I use is galvanically isolated, but I'm not sure if it is reclocks afterwards.




By the look of it that is not the case. The isolated OP is coming straight from isolators sans reclocking - as far as I can see.

T

Offline Tuyen

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Re: The Line Magnetic LM-502CA Dac
« Reply #122 on: October 08, 2014, 11:12:59 PM »
Got a reply from James from Line Magnetic about my query regarding if I could replace the xmos based usb interface in the LM502CA with another unit like the JLSound I2SoverUSB.

His reply follows:

Hello Tuyen,

Thanks very much for your inquiry. However sorry to inform you that the USB module cannot be replaced by your JLSound module.

Please check.

Thanks and with best regards,

James


His reply was sort of what I was expecting coming from the manufacturer.  Was just wishful thinking...     

Reality is, I'm quite confident it wouldn't be that difficult to replace the stock usb module with another one like the WaveIO or the JLSound I2SoverUSB. From the close up photos, I can only just see the 4 I2S wires coming out from the stock module going into the DAC mainboard.  Assuming it is USB powered as I don't see a dedicated 5v line coming from the power supply section going into to the module..         therefore even if the dac does not support higher sampling rate than 192khz or direct DSD, even replacing the stock USB module with a different one that allows for dedicated external 5V input instead of using USB power, would bring noticeable improvement in sonics.     Just my personal tip for current/future owners of one of these LM LM-502CA DACs and plan on using it's USB input!   :-*

PS. I could be wrong too. I hold no responsibility if you attempt the following and cause damage to your DACs!  :P
« Last Edit: October 08, 2014, 11:25:21 PM by Tuyen »

Offline Mark OTL

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Re: The Line Magnetic LM-502CA Dac
« Reply #123 on: October 10, 2014, 02:28:43 PM »
Mark, where did you buy your new DAC and how much.
Hi Steve, Graham bought both of ours via AliExpress for just under $1k each. Bargain! I believe these will be 240V versions.

Cheers, Mark.
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Offline omodo

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Offline Mark OTL

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Re: The Line Magnetic LM-502CA Dac
« Reply #125 on: October 11, 2014, 08:55:33 PM »
Is this the one you guys bought?

http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Line-Magnetic-Li-magnetic-LM-502CA-digital-audio-decoder/1026221_1639921542.html

I see the same seller has another one listed for nearly $200 less delivered, did you ask what the difference is?

http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/Five-Diamond-entity-Korea-magnetic-tube-hi-LM-502CA-digital-audio-decoder-Gold-Silver/1026221_1639867990.html

Hi Omodo, Not sure why there would be a pricing difference. I simply asked Graham to tack my order onto his existing order,...he's usually a pretty "savvy" buyer. I only stipulated that it should be the 240V/50Hz version.
Best learn from other peoples mistakes, you'll never have time to make them all yourself!

Offline kajak12

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Offline kajak12

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Re: The Line Magnetic LM-502CA Dac
« Reply #127 on: October 28, 2014, 09:44:19 PM »
Hi Steve, Graham bought both of ours via AliExpress for just under $1k each. Bargain! I believe these will be 240V versions.

Cheers, Mark.
I hope this makes the kdac resale low i will buy one again :-*
still discovering the link between electronics and audio reproduction.so much to learn and so little time

Offline Rob181

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Re: The Line Magnetic LM-502CA Dac
« Reply #128 on: October 29, 2014, 07:48:43 AM »
I hope this makes the kdac resale low i will buy one again :-*
And when is that likely to be...

Offline kajak12

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Re: The Line Magnetic LM-502CA Dac
« Reply #129 on: October 29, 2014, 05:12:05 PM »
when line magnetic over takes the top spot
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Offline kajak12

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Offline ozmillsy

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Re: The Line Magnetic LM-502CA Dac
« Reply #131 on: October 29, 2014, 09:28:43 PM »
Rationalising?  ???

It's all about the music,, not the equipment.

Offline kajak12

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Re: The Line Magnetic LM-502CA Dac
« Reply #132 on: October 30, 2014, 04:42:30 PM »
Rationalising?  ???
More holidays early retirement
still discovering the link between electronics and audio reproduction.so much to learn and so little time

Offline stevenvalve

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Re: The Line Magnetic LM-502CA Dac
« Reply #133 on: November 01, 2014, 07:45:46 PM »
Well,  The word is in on the The Line Magnetic LM-502CA Dac.  Is the fully modified Line Magnetic version the holly grail. More to come.

Offline ozmillsy

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Re: The Line Magnetic LM-502CA Dac
« Reply #134 on: November 01, 2014, 07:49:48 PM »
Tease !   :P
It's all about the music,, not the equipment.

Offline kajak12

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Re: The Line Magnetic LM-502CA Dac
« Reply #135 on: November 02, 2014, 11:22:37 AM »
Well,  The word is in on the The Line Magnetic LM-502CA Dac.  Is the fully modified Line Magnetic version the holly grail. More to come.
The word is on the street that stevenvalve has ordered one and bryan is going to modd it for him....................
still discovering the link between electronics and audio reproduction.so much to learn and so little time

Offline hedalfa

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Re: The Line Magnetic LM-502CA Dac
« Reply #136 on: November 02, 2014, 11:27:32 AM »
The word is on the street that stevenvalve has ordered one and bryan is going to modd it for him....................

Kayak
Is that the street that's is a hot as hell  ??? ??? ??? ??? and the guy with a pitch fork keeps having a go at you

Offline ozmillsy

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Re: The Line Magnetic LM-502CA Dac
« Reply #137 on: November 02, 2014, 09:06:31 PM »
The word is on the street that stevenvalve has ordered one and bryan is going to modd it for him....................
Excellent, I'll get to hear it.   :D

Steven will change it further to dial it in for his system.

The reports I have read thus far have been using cd transports.    Whose using a computer source,,, anyone?
It's all about the music,, not the equipment.

Offline stevenvalve

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Re: The Line Magnetic LM-502CA Dac
« Reply #138 on: November 03, 2014, 03:36:18 PM »
Well the verdict is in on Bryans much modified Line Magnetic LM-502CA Dac. All had a similar tale to tell, First the standard Line Magnetic LM-502CA Dac. On sound quality is the standard Line Magnetic dac worth buying,  universally the verdict is the standard machines are only good to OK sounding, some hardheads thought they just aren't good enough, but considering the $1000 price tag they are very tempting, As to the question, on a well tuned wonderful sounding system is Bryans much modified Line Magnetic LM-502CA Dac a killerdac killer, They clearly say NO. I think on any given system in various states of tune any DAC can appear to be the best, but eventually over time the answer is there. 
« Last Edit: November 03, 2014, 04:04:04 PM by stevenvalve »

Offline ozmillsy

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Re: The Line Magnetic LM-502CA Dac
« Reply #139 on: November 03, 2014, 06:27:19 PM »
Interesting.    I'm assuming these comparisons are using 16bit sources?   (CD transport)
It's all about the music,, not the equipment.