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Primaluna or not Primaluna

Hej

I have been hesitated some time now between buying new speakers or a new amplifier and have decided I will buy a new amplifier.

My list of demands:
It will take EL34, KT77, KT88 and 6550. Bonus if it takes KT120.
It will give at least 35 w with EL34 and 45 w with KT88.
It will have easy biasing using a screwdriver and with somekind of build in meter. In worst case autobiase will do.
It will use tube rectification and not solid state rectification (because I have heard solid state rectification takes away the tube sound).
It will not cost more than aprox $4000.

I have had a Line Magnetic LM-34IA once but had to much problems with the quality (bad solderings and bad balance between left and right).
First I thought it sounded quite good, but after have heard a Audion Audio Stirling EL34 SET amplifier I changed my mind. Now the LM-34AI sounded just OK.
I was told that Stirling EL34, with 12 w should be enough for listening at normal volumes with my 89dB speakers. But it was not. So here I am…
(And yes I know; a push-pull amp will never sound as a SET amp).

I have read about several amplifiers but none of them seems to fit my demands.

Here are my notes:
Line Magnetic LM-88IA   -   Just KT88. Bad experience with LM, both quality and sound.
Audio Research I/50   -   Just 6550 tubes. Too much hassle when adjusting bias.
Rogue Cronus Magnum III   -   Very mixed opinions. Solid state rectification.
Raven Blackhawk Mk 3.1   -   Just 6L6 tubes. Have to be imported from the US.
Tsakiridis Aelos Plus   -  Just KT88 tubes.
Fezz Silver Luna Prestige   -   Just EL34 tubes.
Fezz Titania   -   Just KT120 tubes (and maybe KT150 and KT170 too).
Cary SLI-80HS   -   Many bad opinions. Solid state rectification.
Jadis   -   Either too weak or too expencive.
Primaluna   -   ???

What makes me a little ”worried” is that Primaluna has so many build in features which are supposed to make my life as a tube amplifier owner easier.
I mean, doesn’t these fetures affect the sound? ”Less is more”?

 

If you have any thoughts or experience about this, please let me know.

simna
tablejockey
3,926 posts
 

"But will it really be enough for my 89dB speakers? At least they claims that."

87-89dB is an average rating for a good chunk of the market. The PL will drive most of them.

Other than rock concert levels from the 70's, it should cover "normal" listening levels.

Long time PL user here.

jeffseight's avatar
jeffseight
578 posts
 

Expand your notes and study.

You are missing the names that come to my mind.

 

 

dayglow
1,940 posts
 

No! On Prima Luna! Yes the Audio media does push them for other reasons not related to sound/build quality. Consider looking into Mastersound, Unison Research or Pathos Italian made integrated amps.

alucard19
363 posts
 

I have a Primaluna dialogue premium hp integrated amplifier for 3 years and it sounds good with the 8 KT120 tubes, I also have the Decware Zen TORII Mk 5 for a year now and the Decware though it has less power sounds so much better and more detailed. I also have a Black Ice Fusion F35 Integrated with the 6550 tubes that I use as a headphone amp that sounds great for headphones but just OK through my speakers. The Primaluna and the Decware are playing through a pair of Acoustic Research AR308 HO speakers with a 93dB rating, and they also play through my Omega speaker systems Super Alnico High Output XRS speakers, with a 97dB rating (more like only 95dB) which sounds just fantastic, no crossovers and single point drivers. which fills my room about 14' X 18' with plenty of sound at only 15 to 25 watts of power. The Primaluna plays directly to the speakers while the Decware plays through my Denafrips Hades Unity Gain, 0dB preamp, I use this so I can have remote control for volume.

johnread57's avatar
johnread57
237 posts
 

I owned the PrimaLuna integrated using 6550 tubes and it was reliable and sounded good with my Elac 247.2 speakers. When I retrieved my Audio Research solid state D240 MKII I sold the PL. I found the PL a fuss free amp that is auto biased and whilst it allows power and output tube rolling I never bothered. These amps keep their value. Earlier I owned a new LM 518ia 845 amp that didn’t really give me the 845 experience I was looking for, I had no operational problems with it though. I currently use a fully tube CD player that provides the tube transparency and holographic sound feeding my ARC pre pro system. Great combo… The PL is a very commercial amp, well enough made, reliable and easy to operate which does what it says on the package. Good but not fabulous.

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