2. amps-preamps
  3. 138738-119306

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
plga
184 posts
 
Hello 
Two extra options to consider:

1-I bought the AUDIO-GD Master 1 preamp (it should be a VERY good pre). I will have it in a couple of weeks, so then I will be able to tell how good is the Line Magnetic LM-508IA solely as a power amp. It should be a noticeable step up in quality... I hope! 

2-I have a contact from Argentina who is living in Australia and he is the owner of a Boutique Speaker brand, Hulgich Audio. He won the Better Sound Stand Price, awarded by stereonet.com in a Hifi Show in Australia. He told me he was competing against 500.000 dollar systems and his own was about 20.000 bucks. Besides his Ella Speakers, he usted two Nord Acoustics One UP NC500MB class D mono power amps and those cost about 1.000 US Dollars each, if you buy it directly to the factory. He really got me thinking.

By the way, the DAC he usted in that show was an Audio-gd with double Sabre 9038 chip. This brand, Audio-gd, is also another one to consider if you want solid state amplification. 
mr_m
1,900 posts
 
helomach
Then I would have to presume Rogue's integrated amps (hybrid or all tube) are very much system dependent. Therefore I could no more say you are wrong then you could about me. I made this recommendation to the OP in good faith. You undermined my opinion. Not the first time you did this to me. So I felt I had to respond. I stand by my opinion that the Pharaoh is still a good option albeit system dependent.
freesole OP
159 posts
 
No worries all  - I appreciate hearing everyone's opinion and do not look at differing opinions as one usurping the other. Rogue sounds like they make some amazing product based on several threads that I have read including this one. 

I may have a chance to go to an authorized dealer to take a listen to both the Rogue and the Line Magnetics... definitely looking forward to it. 
helomech
1,702 posts
 
@mr_m 

Really? I undermined your opinion? My opinion is based on real experience with all three Rogue integrateds. Yours is based on a biased manufacturer's assertion.

The CMII is the far better amp. They don't even belong in the same conversation. You obviously have very little or zero experience with tube amps if you think tube rolling a Pharaoh gets it even remotely close to producing real tube sound. If you ever get a chance to hear a real tube amp you'll understand why. 
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
I had an opportunity to hear a couple systems with Primaluna.  For a tube integrated, I actually think they are pretty damn good sound quality.  Very good resolution for a tube amp, but I can definitely hear just a bit of the "tube amp sonic signature".  You would have to listen to some tube amps to know what I mean, but even then, the Primaluna is not that "colored" in the sound as other tube amps are.
---
The Parasound HALO Integrated is actually going to sound a lot warmer.  Yes, it will have more power and it will have great dynamics and slam, but will have very warm and rolled off highs (the high frequency resolution will not be nearly as good as the Primaluna).  The Parasound resolution can be fixed with a massive fuse overhaul (there are at least 4 fuses internally in addition to the main A/C fuse - recommend Hi-Fi Tuning Supreme for the main fuse and Furutech for all internal fuses).  Stock Parasound will actually sound a lot like the Marantz "warm" sonic signature.

---
The Anthem MRX 510 receiver is probably one of the highest resolution and fastest sounding receivers.  The Parasound Halo will be the complete opposite and may sound too warm/dry.
---
The Primaluna will probably be the closest sound to the Anthem.  It will have a little less "speed", but it will have very good resolution and "sing" much better than the Anthem.  Be aware that the Primaluna is a tube amp and will only have about 43 watts per channel (or 27 watts in triode mode).  The tubes will start to saturate at about half power and you'll get tube saturation/distortion.  So if you are out for seriously loud music with lots of bass, the Primaluna will likely fall down in this aspect.
---
The Parasound Halo will be able to slam out the loud bass a lot better, but it is warm/dry in comparison (unless you do fuse upgrade).  Even with fuse upgrade, the Parasound will likely not "sing" quite as good as the Primaluna.  Your RAAL tweeters are very fast responding and if you are listening with the Anthem MRX, you could be dissapointed with the Parasound (unless you do fuse upgrade).
More to discover