What phono preamp are you going to use?
Primaluna separates or Integrated?
Im planning to upgrade my system around a recently purchased gorgeous sounding Primaluna CD player and my trusty 25+ year old Linn Sondek LP12 turntable. I am very interested in experiencing Primaluna amplification and am interested in advice of which route to take of either the Dialogue Premium Integrated or the Prologue Premium separates. I admit that I have not had the opportunity to listen to triode vs. ultralinear which seems to be the most significant difference between the two options. Thoughts and opinions?
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You will find the following thread to be of interest: https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/primaluna-prologue-integrated-help-needed As you’ll see, the OP in that thread had a problem using the PrimaLuna ProLogue integrated amp with his GoldenEar Triton Two speakers, in the form of a "throb" at about two beats per second that occurred when the volume was raised beyond a certain point. Like your Triton Three his Twos have internal amplification for the deep bass, resulting in an impedance that rises to very high levels at deep bass frequencies. And it turned out that the amp wasn’t happy working into a load that was essentially absent at low frequencies. The result being what is referred to in electronics as "motorboating." I suggested that he try putting suitably chosen load resistors on the output terminals of the amp, and that resolved the problem. Good luck. Regards, -- Al |
I have the Prima Luna Dialogue premium HP integrated amp. When I ran it into a pair of Dali Helicon 400 floorstanding speakers with ribbon tweeters, the mid range in the top end were the best I have ever heard on those speakers. but the base was too soft. But since you have Active subwoofers and you don’t need to amplify them, I would concentrate on an integrated amplifier that just provides the juice for the mid frequencies and high frequencies. Meaning that the nonHP Integrated primaluna would likely provide enough power for the mid/highs on you 90dB/8ohm Tritons. And provide beautiful depth, resolution, and timbre. To be honest I think the pre-Maluma prima Luna amplifiers are a step above the Tritons, even though the Tritons are very good. Consequently, I would just pick up the PL nonHP Integrated, and keep your leftover $500 to buy NOS tubes for the PL. Particularly NOS PreAmp tubes, which seem to have the largest impact on final SQ. When you graduate from the Tritons and move up the line, then I would consider separate PL preamp and amplifier. The most effective and efficient upgrade after the integrated will be to install the NOS tubes. After that, when you upgrade your speakers, then maybe consider Prima Luna separates. |
incredible! I can not thank you enough almarg for bringing this phenomena to my attention! You are a great example of why these forums are so valuable to the home audio enthusiast. Im not an electrical engineer, but I did take a EE course in college and have had a healthy respect for them ever since. Do you know if all the Primaluna lines would be susceptible to "motorboating" or do any have a more robust stability when dealing with high current at high impedances in the low frequency range of GoldenEar subs? |
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