Upgrading from Primaluna
Recently went down the front end upgrade path and am running a nice table and phono now. I'm curious as to what the weaker link in my system is between my Primaluna Dialogue Premium Preamp and my Dialogue Premium Hp Power Amp. I'm considering swapping out the amp to a Ps Audio BHK250 for the summer to avoid heat, but am curious if I would be better off dealing with the heat and moving up to say an Allnic L-7000/Arc Ref 3 for the Pre. I'm happy with tubes on the front end, but curious if I'm running out of gas with 88DB efficient speakers and a single chassis tube amp. Which amp would you upgrade first and what benefits would you expect?
Based on the profile pics, your speaker setup and room are far from ideal to hear what your setup can do. After that, get a "better" table/ phono amp. It starts at the source. Your Focals/PL gear will support far "better" table/ phono amp. When your wallet recovers, revisit the "should I upgrade the amp" idea and double what you paid for the PL stuff. |
@tablejockey my table is now a Clearaudio Ovation with the Hana ML and my phonostage is an Allnic H-3000. Also, a BHK would be double what I paid so Im guessing the 250 should outperform sound and headroom wise what the PL is putting out from the amp. |
I have to agree with @russ69. I would work with what you have until it is optimized. Judging by only one photo. The speakers look too close together, the system should be moved from between the speakers. The front wall needs dampening. You might have a look at my main system to get a feel for a set up. But I bet you can very significantly improve your system by setting it up. I would also try out any ss amp you may be thinking about… it can be a problematic trade off.. My history has been to move towards tubes not away. I highly recommend Audio Research as upgrades… Preamp, Phonostage, amp, or DAC. |
@ghdprentice my room is small so I'm dealing with 10ft width and 15ft length so 6ft between speakers and 2 ft from side walls is all I've really got. I do have custom made acoustic panels next to the speakers on each side (4ft tall and 3ft wide with rock wool). I guess moving my gear could benefit, but with such limited space is it really a starting point rather than an ending point? Looking at ASC tube traps for the corners, but also upgrading power amp for more control. Any other advice? |
