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Another Newbie, Another Help Thread

Hello All,

Here we are again. Another Newbie and another thread seeking all your knowledge and guidance. I've been on the audio journey for this past year of a more and more expansive delve into audio. I started with a Rega P2, Rega Elex-R and a pair of Kef Q-750's. I soon realized more that I need to dive in further to experience more. So I sold the table and upgraded to the Clearaudio Concept Wood with Carbon Fiber Tonearm back in December. I then had a few too many drinks one night and broke a cantilever. So I went to my local hifi shop and picked up a Hana EH High Output MC cartridge as well as a Musical Surroundings Nova III Phonostage. I feel like the front end is all established, but looking to move up from the Rega Elex-R Integrated. Here's my quandary:

PrimaLuna Evo 400 integrated
Or
PrimaLuna Evo 300 Preamp and Dialogue Premium Power Amp. 

What I would like to do is avoid a pigeon hole with just the Evo 400 Integrated and be forced to sell to take a full leap into separates at a later (or sooner) date. I have a fear if I don't go separates I will be loosing future fidelity and improvements (Though I know the Kef's should be the final step). Though with that kind of payola spent, I will be far beyond my initial limit of a Primaluna  Evo 200 integrated. 

Any help and guidance is appreciated!

J
128x128j-wall
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
Evo 400, all the way. Excellent choice. Or another one- https://www.ravenaudio.com/product/osprey-mk3/

If only you could hear my system, that would be the end of all your thoughts of having to go to separates. https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8367
Study this system closely. Read the description. Realize how many little details you have not done that are well worth doing before upgrading the integrated even becomes a factor. Then even when it does consider what you would have to do in terms of separates to equal this
https://www.ravenaudio.com/product/reflection-mk2/
It will be a lot more than $12k, I can guarantee you that!
willgolf
937 posts
 
EVO 400 is excellent but I had the Raven Reflection MK2 and it was frikking awesome.  It may be more than what you want to spend but there are others in the Raven Line-up that you could also consider.  Call Dave Thomson at Raven.  
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
I was thinking of you willgolf but wasn't sure it was you. Now I am. Was already favoring the Reflection MkII even before coming across your comments. Then looking at your experience, what you did then and what you're doing now, that has sealed the deal. All I need now is the money! lol! 

Will definitely be calling Dave when the time comes. Pretty sure either of these- PL or Osprey- would be a step up from my Melody. Its just I would prefer strides over steps, if you know what I mean.
j-wall's avatar
j-wall OP
369 posts
 
Ok you guys. Would you mind to spend a moment to describe who and what Raven is? To not be too crass, I haven't heard of this brand, nor know who they are. I was looking into Cary amplification, but decided to go with PrimaLuna as a great into to my first tube rig. Also, I understand that due to speaker efficiency I don't need to move up to the Evo 400, my rift is with sonic improvements and details division between the 200 separates, (or 300 integrated) and the 400 integrated so if anyone has experience or can help to elaborate on the why and what I get with bigger capacitors I would be greatly appreciative. 
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