I've heard the big PL amps with KT150s driving $60,000 Sonus Fabers and the sound was very good. Not for detail enthusiasts but lovely sound. I do not like Mac 275s. I've heard 4 or 5 of iterations over the years. Leaves me unsatisfied with a variety of speakers. I would rather have new Mac SS than the 275. PLs are very reputable and I know the authorized repairman who said he saw a substantial number (dozens) for repair a few years back but that is only because Kevin Deal sells a boatload of them. They are very reliable and the latest EVO 400 has premium parts and construction at the price. Ayon equipment sounds more refined than PL but generally costs much more. I would rather have Ayon or VAC gear. I don't have Chinese gear because my gear is from U.S., U.K., Swiss, German, Taiwan and Japan. No specific reason why it's not from China. Don't knock PL gear just because it is made in China, it's a U.S. brand and has very good U.S. support.
Why is there no love for Prima Luna?
I have noticed fairly negative comments on Prima Luna in various discussions. Granted, I’ve never heard their gear but they seem to offer quite a value proposition. Point to point wiring, auto bias, protection circuits, easy tube rolling, good parts and build quality. I had considered looking into the Evo series integrated but the brand seems to be downplayed on this forum. Anyone have direct experience as to why?
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You’re in luck OP. Hot off the press. Good luck. https://parttimeaudiophile.com/2020/12/05/the-best-integrated-amplifiers-buyers-guide-2021/ |
They are a relatively inexpensive China made, mass produced product that sound decent enough and are pretty well put together. Kevin is smart, he has a lot of say into what they are, how they are and what they need to be in so far are as how he sees the needs and wants of the NA market from this semi-upscale-midfi gear. They charge a fair price for a pretty good product. Good value proposition for the value buyer that needs a good enough sound. That are happy with the PL sound. It’s a decent enough sound so sure enough many will enjoy it. That alone will cover enough people to fuel this little upscale audio cottage industry and fair enough. Not a thing wrong with it. Moreover, he really has done a nice job cultivating this niche in the market. He has expanded the demand by evolving the product offerings and their performance envelope while combining sound marketing with good service and simple to use and safe design. Solid stuff business wise. The thing is with this hobby there just happen to be people looking for more than that. Some a lot more and others are not. Myself, in that price bracket I’d rather buy... hmmm let’s see... VAC, ARC, MAC, CJ, VTL, LAMM, Manley just to name a couple tube brands that are MUCH better in every aspect but that just MO. Yes even used some of these may be more money but just saying. I’ll take a slightly used, late model Honda over a new Kia (one Japanese and one South Korean) any day of the week and twice on Sunday but that’s me. To each their own... |
Anyone here compared the Prima Luna to Cary? I understand that Cary is made in the USA and appears well made... I am auditioning a PL EVO 400 at the moment and it sounds impressive in some ways, however, it lacks the detail that my ARC separates provide... It also costs about 1/4 as much. The PL has an ability to bring the bottom end out of old recordings... some mild bass coloration, yet pleasant to my ears on old rock recordings in particular. I also have notice that I have been using it for about 10 hrs total time and it has been improving continuously for that period. There are also tube rolling options that are attractive to a hobbyist gear head like me... we will see. I'd love to know anyones experience with Cary products? They have my curiosity at the moment too... Yes they have to be biased and don't offer quite the tube rolling flex that the PL's do. Also I don't know of a way to audition them locally. Currently driving Sonus Faber Olympica II's (4ohm) with the Evo 400 integrated and yes the soundstage is further back than my ARC gear. I am hoping to find an integrated if possible to reduce footprint usage without giving up SQ. I have owned numerous ARC products, Tube and SS, in fact still do. ARC has the musical resolution that I like, at a price... Yes the tubes warm the room... Ok in the winter, not so much in the summer... I have also owned Musical Fidelity gear and found it to be very musical for SS gear, made in Taiwan... NuVista aerospace mini tubes in some of their gear. |
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