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Which integrated amp for better musicality - Parasound Hint vs Primaluna vs ???

I've been having a blast looking up threads and doing some research but my dilemma is this - I want to get more enjoyment out of my music (don't we all). My Anthem and Oppo setup honestly sound great but I can't help but think that maybe I am missing out. I am thinking of upgrading some of my gear by either adding an integrated amp or separates. I'd love to hear some recommendations. Based on some reading, I am considering: 

1. Parasound Halo Integrated 6
2. Primaluna Dialogue Premium or Premium HP

My current setup is as follows: 

Oppo 105D
Anthem MRX 510 AVR
Ascend Acoustic Sierra RAAL Towers and Horizon Center

Any recommendations or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. 
freesole
bradf's avatar
bradf
329 posts
 
@ waltersalas

Good to know that the LM tubes are $90.00. I question if a LM dealer would sell to the 2nd hand market?.  I guess I will have to ask.

I was looking at the moderately priced Psvane 805 @ $325.00 per pair
and the Psvane 300B (LM Stock) $405.00 $- 749.00 per pair as options. 





waltersalas's avatar
waltersalas
957 posts
 
@bradf 

I believe you can order replacement tubes directly from Arizona HiFi, instead of having to go through Line Magnetic. It would be worth a visit to their website, or a phone call. It was a very simple process for me, and the owner is a very congenial and helpful fellow.

Yes, the Psvanes are a bit pricier, though some people have reported good results. There are several good options with the the 300B tubes. It just depends on how much you want to spend. Contact me via private message if you are interested in discussing different tubes I have tried, and associated pricing.


twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,320 posts
 
There's more than one previous thread where the relative merits of the Rogue and Prima Luna integrateds are debated.
plga
184 posts
 
I back up Waltersalas on the LM-508. 
Its a hell of an amp. 
Im from Argentina and I bought my LM508 from china directly because there's no Line Magnetic dealer here. 
Of course if you do that you wont get the support from USA dealers, but the chinese one aint bad at all. 
Everything I bought from that dealer went smooth and fine. He is an authorized dealer from Line Magnetic and a very proffesional one. 
Them I upgraded the tubes, the power cord and the fuse and WOW!!! 
Its just incredible... TONS of dinamics, detail, smooth SET sound, deep and wide soundstage and a bass you can feel inside of you... AMAZING. 
Just to mention, Ive heard an EL34 Prima Luna tube amp (I dont remember the model but it cost about 3500 bucks un the USA) and I was kind of dissapointed. At that time I had an EL34 chinese Yaqin tube amp and I dont think IMHO that the Prima Luna was better. 
The LM-508 is in a VERY different league, trust me. 
From China, with all the upgrades I mentioned above, it costed me about 3700 bucks. 
I hope it helps. 
plga
184 posts
 
I forgot to mention. 
I haven't heard the well knowned Naim Supernait 2 amp, but Tim Smith from wallofsound.com considers the Line Magnetic LM-518IA, a brother of the LM-508IA, to be better than the Naim. Tim raves about the 518.
I haven't heard the 518, but I've read in more than one place on Internet that the 508 is better, so it should be also better than the Naim. 

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