Raven vs primaluna integrated amplifiers

@glupson We own a vacation home is St. Anne Bay Jamaica that we rent. I also own 2 homes in Florida and one in Colorado. They are all vacation rentals as we rent them out when we are not using them.

Perhaps vacation condo, since that was not "your" front yard, or "your" house, that was the dining area of a small resort complex, and the grounds of a small resort complex.  Should I be posting the real estate I own as an investment but don't live in?  Would that make my ears magically better?  Putting somewhat expensive gear in front of a windows, with the speakers closish to the front wall, a door on one side, no acoustic treatments, and a hard floor is not going to garner you any audio cred with people who truly value good audio.  Owning property in corrupt Jamaica, whether claims of a democracy or not, really does not make your case too well. People send to be pretty selective about their outrage.


Now w.r.t. to that Raven video of build quality, did you mean this one:  https://youtu.be/6vv_3TmfZrE?t=126 ... you know the one with the okay solder fillets where the guy tries to claim equivalence in their products to Nasa products (which don't use lead-free solder, and those audio boards appear to).  You mean the video where he says laser soldering (not used on their boards), and then shows SMT machines, though his board is through-hole? That video?  The one where given the solder process could benefit from a nitrogen atmosphere but does that appear to use one? These videos are to impress people who don't know any better.

A friend has the Primaluna 200 and loves it. I do enjoy the sound when I am there, but how much that is the amp, is questionable. Tubes can be finicky, and their auto-bias is a great feature. No doubt Raven's MFG cost for the same thing is much higher, but they cut out the dealer, so it is probably a wash.  Look into their 45 day trial (and what real costs may be) for Raven, and see if you can get a Primaluna demo.  Tube amps can have quite different sound, and only you will know what is best for you. All this talk on here is just meaningless distraction. Your speakers, your room, your ears ... literally nothing written here is going to matter much w.r.t. sound.

skypunk,

I may be a poser, albeit the one who does not post photographs of local parks and call them "front yard".

It would be wise to watch your language when interacting with strangers.

I am just trying to help you. Your employer might be unhappy about the way you present yourself while linking yourself to it. I cannot care less what you call me, but some people may go that extra step. Be more careful. Tourism is not doing that well these days, you may need to keep on working your regular job for a little more.

I get a kick out of all you so called patriots thumping your chest and only buying American products. I do not believe any of you for even one minute that you care about the Chinese workers and that is why you buy American. You all are singing American praise because it is now the politically correct thing to do.


I am very heavily invested in USA manufactured McIntosh but I do not diss something made in China either. My GE speakers are an American company that has its products built in China. I am ok with that and I care less if anyone else takes offense by it. After all, it’s my money I am spending, not yours.


Honestly, the “poor Chinese worker” does not come to my mind when I look at equipment. I am also positive the American worker is not on any of the Chinese minds. It’s now a global economy so get over your prejudices.

@audio2design -- the Raven Audio guy you’re referring to is a brilliant engineer. He designs speakers, amps, works with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and other similar organizations, and is extremely knowledgeable about his craft. He lets his craft speak for itself and doesn’t need to throw his credentials around like confetti. In short, he’s neither an armchair general nor an internet warrior.

Can you please point us to (actual links please) the world class products that you built, or publications, or details of the world class company that you supposedly ran for many years? How about showing us the pics of your system? Anything, anything, beyond words, please!