Going up will reap some benefits, but not as large as going up in amps.This is the fun debate. Kevin is not the only one with tons of experience/knowledge who believes this and just as many with equal experience and knowledge say the opposite. I don't like repeating myself. There are many more superlative amps than preamps in this world. That about sums it up. Let me ask this; if Kevin's claims about the PL preamp were true, why does the listening comparison set for this Saturday have nothing to do with his preamp vs. an Ayre, C-J, Coincident, VTL, or ARC benchmark level preamp? Why is it an integrated vs. an integrated? Taking a different approach, my AMR DP777 has many fans who believe it to be one of the best available DAC's and AMR's very talented chief designer/engineer claims it offers a top level built-in preamp. It's fine, but boring. My Manley Steelhead again features claims that it can be used as a top level preamp. It's fine but not great. 99.8% of dedicated preamps/linestages are competent but damn the rest of the system down-chain to being merely competent. Kevin is just plain wrong-amps are at their heart the simplest of electronics- not preamps. Amps do nothing more than regulate the energy coming out of your wall.
Considering switching from Audio Research to PrimaLuna, troube with VS115 amp
Hello everyone, I have question that I hope some of you either can answer or have an opinion on. Ever since I was 17, I have always wanted to own Audio Research equipment. I’m 56 now, and finally was able to fulfill my life long dream. My first acquisition was an ARC LS15 pre-amp bought here used in mint condition. I paired it with a Vincent 331MK hybrid amp also bought here used in mint condition. The resulting sound was impressive. After that, I started looking for an ARC amp I could afford. The resulting search found me an ARC VS115 amp also here in used, awesome condition. This is where my problems and my doubts started. Upon hooking up the amp to my system, a tube in the left channel arced and blew a resistor. I had to take the amp to an ARC dealer and he installed a new resistor and suggested I buy all new tubes from ARC for the amp. I did and when I got back home, I again hooked up the amp and immediately upon turning the amp on, I started to hear thumping sounds coming from my left speaker, then, two left channel output tubes started to glow a very bright orange, and then white smoke started to rise from one of the tube sockets. I immediately turned the amp off. I called the dealer and he suggested I mail the unit back to ARC. I did and I am now waiting to see what they say.
During this time, I started to search out other brands and came across one called PrimaLuna. I have watched their videos and seen them compared to ARC equipment. Their build quality seems to be superior to ARC and the reviews are over the top. I am looking at their Dialogue Premium HP amp and their Dialogue Premium pre-amp. For what they cost, considering how they are built and supposedly sound compared to units costing 3 to 4 times their price, they almost seem too good to be true. Anyway, my bubble has been burst, and in simple terms, I am considering jumping ship and going with another company instead of ARC, despite all those years of drooling and waiting.
My main question is this, is there anyone out there that either owns PrimaLuna or has had experience with the equipment and can give me their opinion on owning and using it. Then, my second question is how does PrimaLuna really compare to other high end equipment such as ARC. Kevin Deal in his videos on PrimaLuna makes a very compelling case for the equipment. In one video, he compares an ARC LS17SE to the PrimaLuna pre-amp.
My last question is in regards to my ARC VS115 amp problems. Anyone have an opinion on what is going on with my amp or a VS115 in general. For those of you who want to know what else is in my system, I am using KEF 104ab speakers, a Cambridge Azur 752BD Blu-ray player as my CD player, Morrow Audio Cables and I am considering getting the Sony HAP-Z1ES music player for my digital files.
I greatly appreciate all who take the time to comment and give their opinions. I will be glad to answer any questions you may ask or provide additional. Thanks for your help. Steve.
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With due respect, feels like you're going to all this trouble to invite people in to double blind, then kind of invalidating a major part by not using KT-150s or EL34s in both (or better, do two tests...one with each). Wouldn't you agree that alone those tube sets sound a fair bit different in the exact same amp? I can at least speak from experience in the PL lines... |
parsons With due respect, feels like you're going to all this trouble to invite people in to double blind, then kind of invalidating a major part ...Actually he's made it clear that the event won't be double-blind. He wrote: ... play a track on amp A, move the source and speaker to amp B, and listen. Simple. Same cut. Same volume. Don't even turn off the amps. Instant. |
"Level matched. Double blind too if you can figure a way to do that. I want the change from amp to amp to be instantaneous as the mind is not as sharp as people think." I agree, our minds aren't so sharp when it comes to sonic memory. If you or someone else figures a way to incorporate the double blind-double thanks! Any chance that amazing Avenger setup making an appearance? Hearing the PL with A1 gear/cables is always a treat. |
OK, double blind aside. Those tube sets sound a ton different on their own, wouldn't most (all?) agree who have heard the difference? I realize this is for fun, and I both respect that and am excited to see (read, I suppose) the results. However, I simply suggest it's an even more interesting exercise to see how two manufacturers execute against the same output tube. ARC made the decision to ship with KT150s for a reason, I presume, and I can attest that the PL didn't get worse with KT150s in the two I own (to my ears). I suspect that there is a "it's not going to matter" in here somewhere, but I still think that assumption is unfortunate. My uneducated self predicts one pre-listen stat alone...36.4 lbs. vs. 63.8 lbs...will predict the "winner" between these two specific units regardless, all other parts comparisons aside. |
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