Considering switching from Audio Research to PrimaLuna, troube with VS115 amp
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.
fsonicsmith said... "PL puts out entertaining-even refreshing-ads touting that no piece of audio kit is as overpriced as the pre-amp and fails to back up the talk with a top-drawer pre-amp. They evidently need to hire a better engineering team and implement better parts, which means raising the price." fsonicsmith ...Have you ever even listened to a Primaluna Dialogue Premium preamp with NOS tubes installed? My guess would be... you have not... 8( I believe you are missing the point here. I am sure if PL wanted to make a $15,000 preamp... they very well could. I think what they offer for ones hard earned money is "outstanding sonic’s & quality of build" at a price point that is far more musically conducive than some other more highly touted brands. If you want to hear what the PL line can do,give a good hard listen to their products...then decide if spending more of your money is what you really need or want to do. steakster...I did not compose the post. It was written by one Rob Roy. |
Johnny I have enjoyed this hobby for several years now and never paid over $3000 for an amp, preamp or integrated amp. ARC these days have forgot about affordability and shot straight for the stratosphere so the majority of audiophiles can't afford their products. If you can then good for you however, there are many products that equal or perform better than ARC for much cheaper prices. OH and build quality is better also. Kevin brings out a great point. ARC uses circuit boards mainly whereas PL uses point to point wiring. Hmmmm why is this? |
I confess to not having heard the Dialogue Premium. Watch Fremer's videos of the ARC factory tour on youtube. It takes a week to hand-build a Ref 6 at AR's Minnesota factory. Every transistor is stuffed and soldered by hand, all assembly in every other aspect is by hand, parts are not only proprietary but are not shared from one model to the next, and after each piece gets measured, it does not leave the factory until Warren Gehl listens to it. Do you think that's the way of things with PL? Cheap labor saves a lot of money but there are far larger differences that account for the price differential. Point to point is very nice, It does not make one piece of gear better than another. |
