Primaluna?

Since this thread continues to go in another direction than I intended I may as well roll with it.  I like most have seen Kevin in his videos going back years. I’ve had one personal conversation with him regarding the Prologue Premium Preamp, and the original LTA Micro that he carried at the time. I figured since he sold both, and both were very well received in the press that I could get some clarification on each of their strengths and their weaknesses. He responded as if it was a ridiculous question, and that the Primaluna was clearly superior.  I asked him why and he went on about how much his preamp weighs. I told him I wasn’t to concerned about their weight and that I was very open minded about there being different ways to get good sound. Also from the little I do understand about the LTA is that it’s key distinction is it is transformerless. I could imagine if you took the transformers out of the Primaluna and used a cheaper lighter chassis the two would probably be fairly close in weight. Then again I could be way off and I’m aware if this.  I’m also aware I have no idea what makes a preamp sound good. Far as I know it has nothing to do with weight. I think a more appropriate response to my question would have been to explain why the Primaluna sounds better, and then if he felt it was needed to further explain how the weight of the Primaluna contributed to this. 
 

Anyways, I guess my point is I was a bit turned off by his response and seemingly at times lack manners.  I would already own or would have owned one if it weren’t for that conversation. I’ve realized over time though that it silly to not try something that truly speaks to me because one person with affiliation turned me off. I’ve also realized I can appreciate Kevin’s passion, and I do think that’s where most of his shortness comes from. At the same time I would have very much appreciated somebody who I felt truly wanted to educate me instead of whatever that was. 
 

Also regarding integrated vs seperates, am I going to get more of the unique quality that tubes bring with seperates?  Or are the improvements in more general areas, not just the ones associated with tubes. Really I just want more bloom and more of the feeling of listening to a performance, and not a stereo.   Hopefully that makes since. I’m not very comfortable explaining what I’m hearing. 

@brylandgoodman 

Sorry to hear you’ve been somewhat turned off by Kevin… I don’t know him, but I completely understand where he is coming from. He is really knowledgeable and very enthusiastic. I have been very serious about high end audio and very early on recognized the 100% correlation between weight and sound quality. I am sure someone will come up with an exception… but after auditioning and owning hundreds of components the rule holds. If he had told me one weighed much more than the other, that would be it, I would have shut my mouth and accepted everything.

Power management and current are everything in high end audio… and it weighs a lot. A lightweight preamp or amp is just not going to cut it. So, I see your point… he assumed that this comment would be self evident. From what you said, he was very honest and enthusiastic about what he told you. But maybe didn’t read you right.

Amps I can understand much better. Preamps not so much. I’m pretty sure I’ve heard Kevin him self talk about how preamps aren’t amplifyIng the sound as much as they are reducing the signal. I think he duscusses this when talking about the amount of gai. The Primaluna preamps have. This makes me feel that while large current capabilities and large transformers may create a sound that some or a majority may prefer I am skeptically of its necessity.  I’ remember reading an article about PS Audio and that they were apparently one of the early designs to use what the described as an OVERSIZED transformer. This again makes me feel that undoubtedly large transformers may change the sound, but it’s also possible one might prefer the sound in there system in there house that comes from a smaller transformer.  I could be wrong for sure but I don’t think you NEED a large transformer to put out a couple volts.  

I've had a Primaluna HP 8 tube integrated amp for 5 years now and I love it. Its the best amp I've ever owned. The stock EL34 tubes are beautiful and the auto bias and safety features are world class. It's all point to point wiring and the attention to detail is 1st class. Yes there are other tube amps out there but with all aspects of the amp being monitored with offset killers and toroidal transformers for power and  speakers, each channel it's whisper quiet. It's plug and play and with auto bias, there is no crossover distortion and no bias checking every month. I can't fault this amp. The amount of people who use it as a reference amp is ridiculous.....it's that good. Cheers, Andrew Peter Collins, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

I just want to clarify that I’m not knocking Primaluna in any way, and plan to purchase one in the future. Was just sharing my experience with Kevin and what I thought about it.  I do think from my research that Primaluna makes a very well made, well thought out, and musical product.