2. amps-preamps
  3. 152861-139134

Diving into the world of tubes...help needed!

Hi all,
I'm seriously considering diving into the world of vacuum tubes.  I currently have Focal Aria 906s which I adore...but may upgrade those in the future as well to a floor standing speaker.  For the beginning though, they will be my speakers.  Looking for opinions on the below amps/preamps, especially the pairing of the Emotiva pre with the EVO 100!

My choices have been narrowed down to:
  • PrimaLuna Prologue Classic Integrated Amp - would likely pair with a Schiit Loki to have tone control
  • PrimaLuna EVO 100 Power Amp - paired with EMOTIVA PT-100 preamp, would likely pair with Loki as well
  • Vincent SV-237MK Integrated Amp - needs nothing additional
Thanks in advance for your assistance :)
branden_8091
celtic66
1,679 posts
 
branden

You have $1500/pr. speakers to drive, so let's not get nuts here.  The Raven and Rogue suggestions are quite valid.  You can buy once and be very happy, or sneak up on it and upgrade too many times.  I also don't like cheap Chinese tube gear.  Too many corners cut to obtain price.

Tone controls in this price range are the death of good sound.  The Emotiva is of course all SS, so the tube talk, it's a bit confusing.  Are you going to be tube guy or not?  Best of luck and hopefully the opinions given are more helpful than confusing.
branden_8091 OP
60 posts
 
@tomcy6 I think, as others have suggested (maybe here, maybe another forum, can't remember LOL) that for my needs and budget, having a tube preamp and SS power amp is a good idea, whether it's integrated or not.  I've heard nothing but good things about the Vincent, and it's the only one that I can audition, so I'll see if it has that "magic" sound that I'm looking for.
@celtic66 As I've just said above to tomcy6, I'm more interested in the preamp having tubes, rather than the power amp.  I just can't afford separates, nor can I justify spending all that much if I could.  I think a CAD$10 000 system (turntable, pre&power, speakers) would be my maximum spend. My mistake about the Emotiva, I was tired while writing my original post, I shouldn't have put that one :)

@michaelg63 Ha ha! I can't ever imagine spending that much on audio, it's just...too much for me!  I think for the time being, a tube preamp and a SS power amp are the way for me.  Whether it's the vincent or the PL, or one of the others suggested here.
veerossi
174 posts
 
I believe Primaluma US distributor is right here in La Verne, CA 

upsacleaudio.com

i checked out the primaluna line there, but ended up going with Line Magnetic 805ia and I’m loving it. Both Chinese. Both have premium features like point to point wiring, and high quality attenuators etc.

I got the Line Magnetic at perfect pitch audio in palm desert, CA. Super service from them. 
celtic66
1,679 posts
 
veerossi

You did well with Line Magnetic.  Notice, I posted ‘cheap Chinese’ which excludes better quality such as your choice.....and not cheap.
branden_8091 OP
60 posts
 
@veerossi Great.  I'm In Canada, so honestly the only way for me to try PrimaLuna is to buy, and if I decide to go with something else, I'd have to pay 5% restock fee, which in my case is about $130.  I looked at Line Magnetic's stuff earlier today...not my cup of tea.
@celtic66 I understand what you're saying, but from nowhere I've heard that Vincent is a subpar build quality.  Sure it doesn't have point to point wiring, but it's also not a simple, straightforward tube amp.  It's a hybrid, with some extra toys
More to discover