PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium

The PrimaLuna / XA 30.8 combo would sound significantly different compared to the INT 150. IMHO, the PrimaLuna / XA30.8 would be the way to go, but it would help if you would tell us what speakers you are using, how your system sounds to you and what kind of improvement you would like to hear.

The PrimaLuna is an excellent preamp. I know of no other preamp/amp/integrated components at this price level that have gotten the number of awards and rave reviews that the PrimaLuna products have. The raves come from owners as well as reviewers.

Many times when we try to upgrade our systems we get a sideways move instead of an upgrade. It sounds different but not necessarily better. So for now I'd hang on to the PrimaLuna and see if you can listen to the Pass amps to determine if one or the other is what you want.

Reno HiFi will let you buy Pass amps (including used amps) with an option to return, but it does cost money to return an amp (shipping and restocking fees). It is one way to hear the amps in your own system, though.

Tomcy6, thank you. I deal exclusively with Reno HiFi for my amplifier. Mark is the best in the business! I am using Super HL5 Plus speakers. My system sounds really great, but I am always looking to improve. Well, I want to really take it easy for a while and want to settle in with something great. That is why I am asking for some advice. I have read such rave reviews about the Dialogue, it is almost too good to be true, which is why I am asking others who have heard/compared it. I really want to slow down and just listen to music like I used to rather than changing/upgrading all of the time. It is wearing on me. Thank you for the input, it helps tremendously.

Tswisla, You're welcome. I think you have a really nice system and I would just enjoy it.

If you still get the urge to tweak it now and then, you could try a little tube rolling. You probably know that Kevin Deal at Upscale Audio is the distributor for PrimaLuna and also has a great stock of NOS tubes. You could check with him and see what tubes he might recommend as an upgrade to the stock tubes.

Thank you again. I decided to pull the trigger on the xa-30.8. I hope that I made the right decision!

I think you'll like the 30.8! Let us know what you think after you've had some time to listen.

When you get around to it, try some NOS tubes as well. They can help dial your system in to right where you want it. Kevin Deal is who I would talk to about it based on his familiarity with the PrimaLuna.