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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
aolmrd1241
1,039 posts
 
facten...interesting read about PL start-up...

http://www.primaluna-usa.com/about/

skyhawk51's avatar
skyhawk51 OP
14 posts
 
Hey everyone, its me again, Steve who started this thread. Wow! Never thought I would start such a long and spirited dialogue. Wanted to say thanks to everyone who has responded and given their two cents worth. It has been a real joy to read all your comments and feedback. I thought I would give you guys an update. I received my amp back from ARC yesterday, July 6th. I will be unboxing the thing and hooking it up and testing it over the weekend. Really looking forward to hearing how it all sounds. This will be the first time listening of an ARC system in my home. I will let you guys know what I think of it next week. As to the repairs, they replaced the V5 and V7 tubes with new ones, covered under their warranty, replaced the 4 tube, had a broken key, installed new resistors, and replaced the power switch. They charged me for a new outer shipping box, plus labor and parts. The price was  $481 plus shipping charges to send back to me. I hope it stays fixed and is reliable from this point forward. If it breaks again soon, I am bailing on it and probably buy PrimaLuna. I am really hoping that the sound challenge posted earlier in this thread comes to pass. I would love to know how PL stood up to ARC in a controlled listening test, especially against ARC reference equipment. Based on everything I have now read and considered, I do believe PL would give ARC a run for their money. It makes perfect sense. Because PL can save so much money on labor costs and other overhead that they can build superior sounding equipment at a fraction of what an USA based company can. 
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,468 posts
 
I don't know why you would go from ARC to PL
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,450 posts
 
As a ARC owner, I can say unequivocally that their new 'Foundation' series offers great performance and are quite affordable in direct comparison with their Reference line up. If you like the house sound of ARC, you won't be disappointed with any components in Foundation series. I end up getting the LS28/VT-80/DAC9 for my rig and couldn't be any happier. 

I have been in this hobby for 20 plus years and I agree with most of you that the cost of high end gear is gone way up.  

Enjoy! 
skyhawk51's avatar
skyhawk51 OP
14 posts
 
In response to lalitk, I was also considering the VT-80 amp. I have the LS15 pre-amp. Was wondering about that amp. Only one review about it on the internet that I know of right now. Figured it sounded good but was wondering how it compared to older ARC equipment that was built before the company was bought and restructured. And was wondering how it is built at its' price point compared to PL amps.
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