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?

128x128j-wall

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.

j-wall-

looks like you have the gear handled.

Room/speaker setup looks compromised-diffusion/damping and giving those Sopras room to breath in that small room appears to be the challenge.

Don't forget the ceiling-often neglected-diffuse/damp with panels.

 

 

@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?

I'd agree with most of the above, work on room, the Hana could be improved upon. Moving away from tubes may not be what you want, I had modded PL Dialogue Four, tried moving away from tubes to SS for summer listening, didn't work for me. In my case went to 300B monoblocks, although that solution wouldn't work for you with 88db speakers. I do agree you'd have to spend much more to substantially improve upon PL.

I"d also try diffusion as well as absorption at first reflection points. The 10' width really does limit you. With that small of size of room I don't see how amp power is a concern, unless you have severe impedance curve and amp has trouble coping. Quality of those watts of more importance if impedance not an issue.

 

Re speaker width try moving you speakers about one foot each toward the side walls and then cant (toe in) the speakers until the axis of your speakers cross in front of your listening position. Obviously it helps like hell if you can deaden the first reflection points but it is not as critical with the severe toe in. Also, I don't recall seeing you comment about the location of your listening chair, but it would probably be best located about 8 to 9 feet from the plane of the speakers (if aesthetics allow :-).