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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
fsonicsmith's avatar
fsonicsmith
964 posts
 
Kevin you keep bringing up the Cary AE-3DJH. Since when was it ever a standard-bearer? Never. It was never more than a very nice preamp FOR THE PRICE. http://www.stereomojo.com/AES%20Super%20Amp%20and%20AE-3%20preamplifier%20review/AESSuperAmpMk2andAE...

Amplifiers are falsely believed to be capable of storing and unleashing massive amounts of power if built like tanks when in fact they can only control (regulate) the power available from the wall. Amplifiers should be thought of as faucets and not as water towers.

Preamps have the task of handling low level signal without degrading it. This is much more difficult to implement at a superb level than the task at hand for an amp-regulating AC to DC. As someone else has pointed out, PL has taken traditional but dated basic circuit designs, added some user-friendly features, built them to tank-like standards, and at great prices. All fantastic stuff, but please don't tell me or anyone that any single PL pieces bests any $25,000 piece. Maybe they are better than a very few ridiculously overpriced mediocre pieces of gear but those pieces are doomed to fail in the marketplace. 

Why take a good thing and depart from the real to the absurd? 
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,803 posts
 
So you're saying those gy-normous amplifier capacitors don't store any power (like a water tower stores water)? Why are they there?  
andysf's avatar
andysf
269 posts
 
"Oh, and the build quality of these amps is exceptional - I believe the factory in China used to produce military products."

Raindance:

As I pointed out in an earlier post, that "factory" is owned by the Chinese government, who is, indeed, very active in producing "milatary products".  Cayin is a company owned by the Chinese government.  When you buy a Cayin, you are paying the Chinese government for the product.  It would be nice to imagine that they are made by young Chinese audiophiles who are into tubes but this is not the case.
Primaluna is made in factories owned by the Chinese government so the PRC is more of a partner in the enterprise but not the owner.
For many, the issue is entirely price, sound quality and reliability so the "how" is more important than the "who".  For me, there is a certain "ick" factor that is hard to ignore, especially in the last week.

aolmrd1241
1,042 posts
 
So..The democratic governments of the world are not as corrupt as the Chinese government ?  Who do you think is the worlds largest arms dealer? Its not China.
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