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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.


128x128skyhawk51
kot
133 posts
 
Rogue Audio M 180 monos are really good! Made in USA too! Just ask them if they will modify them to use the EL 34 & KT 77 tubes that sound so much sweater and refined ... Even the Stereo 100 is a great amp, but once again insist on EL 34 version if you decide to give it a shot .The Rogue Audio in general is a great brand in my experience.... Both of those have sounded better than Prima Luna in my short demo few years back in that particular set up with Bowers Wilkins 803s ....
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samzx12
1,220 posts
 
Kot which PL did you compare the Rogue to? The Dialogue Premium is a different animal than the earlier PL models. 

Not sure if this is a fair comparison but I had a Rogue Tempest II which is a nice integrated amp. I tube rolled quite a bit. Talked to Mark at Rogue who suggested a quad of EH KT90.  I thought they sounded nice and then the tube rolling adventure began. The 6SN7 had the most effect so I rolled  in numerous pairs before finally settling on some Hytron 5817 I think they were?  Speaking from the cuff so probably wrong haha however, I was ready for a change. This is when I splurged for the PL Dialogue Premium and there was no comparison. The Rogue is nice but its not in the same league. I am not bashing Rogue at all trust me but the PL is a much better integrated and also even best some pretty good separates I have owned over the years. I will agree the EL 34 and KT77 are awesome tubes. 
pops
2,275 posts
 
Interesting thread, I will only add that when you retire you get a different perspective on pricing.  Fortunately I did well to get my system where it is while I worked. 

I cannot see myself shelling out big money like before.   But I've only been retired 15 months so the possibility of relapsing is still very real.  YIKES!



nkonor
635 posts
 
pops,

I agree on all this pricing stuff. This back surgery may force me into retirement even though I do not want to. Like my job, coworkers and the company. Maybe just seasonal; which would be OK.

 I did finally get to sit in the sweet spot this weekend; after (7-8) months of not being able to.

Yes, you missed that Forte' 50w CL A. Still love my 75w CL A monos. Rarely see them; the preamps are worth grabbing too. They were a ridiculous bargain.

Sounds like "prof" is having a good time with his Thiel 2.7s..

I would like one (1) more Great TT and maybe a pair of Rockports.

"It's not over, till the Fat Lady sings"

Best Wishes 
Norb
ljs_fin
14 posts
 

While I would never claim that line stage preamps are interchangeable, I agree with Kevin Deal where he indicates that most of the top preamps sound pretty good. Roger Modjeski, when addressing my audiophile society, noted that high quality line stage preamps are something that manufacturers should have under control, the principles being well understood.

One of the posters above asserted repeatedly that the top of the line PrimaLuna preamp generates considerable second harmonic distortion. I have not seen any measurements to back this up. If anyone has a reference, please post it. Stereophile very recently reviewed the ProLogue Premium preamp, measuring primarily second harmonic distortion ranging from 0.1% to 0.31% depending on output level. This preamp has a list price of $2,199 and is not the top of the line model.

I own the Dialog Premium Preamp, the current top of the line, which I bought used from a private party. I use it single-ended into a Pass Labs XA30.8 power amp. This combination works great and sounds fantastic. The preamp is dead quiet, with no hum or noise, and the stock tubes are very neutral. Is the DPP state of the art? I’m honestly not sure if that is my objective. But from my perspective this preamp is flawless and I do not plan to replace it for a long time. 

I did try vintage Philips rectifier tubes, but didn't continue with them because in my system the resulting sound has a bit too much of the warmth traditionally associated with tubes. Some people love this type of sound but it ultimately comes down to preference.


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