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Primaluna or not Primaluna

Hej

I have been hesitated some time now between buying new speakers or a new amplifier and have decided I will buy a new amplifier.

My list of demands:
It will take EL34, KT77, KT88 and 6550. Bonus if it takes KT120.
It will give at least 35 w with EL34 and 45 w with KT88.
It will have easy biasing using a screwdriver and with somekind of build in meter. In worst case autobiase will do.
It will use tube rectification and not solid state rectification (because I have heard solid state rectification takes away the tube sound).
It will not cost more than aprox $4000.

I have had a Line Magnetic LM-34IA once but had to much problems with the quality (bad solderings and bad balance between left and right).
First I thought it sounded quite good, but after have heard a Audion Audio Stirling EL34 SET amplifier I changed my mind. Now the LM-34AI sounded just OK.
I was told that Stirling EL34, with 12 w should be enough for listening at normal volumes with my 89dB speakers. But it was not. So here I am…
(And yes I know; a push-pull amp will never sound as a SET amp).

I have read about several amplifiers but none of them seems to fit my demands.

Here are my notes:
Line Magnetic LM-88IA   -   Just KT88. Bad experience with LM, both quality and sound.
Audio Research I/50   -   Just 6550 tubes. Too much hassle when adjusting bias.
Rogue Cronus Magnum III   -   Very mixed opinions. Solid state rectification.
Raven Blackhawk Mk 3.1   -   Just 6L6 tubes. Have to be imported from the US.
Tsakiridis Aelos Plus   -  Just KT88 tubes.
Fezz Silver Luna Prestige   -   Just EL34 tubes.
Fezz Titania   -   Just KT120 tubes (and maybe KT150 and KT170 too).
Cary SLI-80HS   -   Many bad opinions. Solid state rectification.
Jadis   -   Either too weak or too expencive.
Primaluna   -   ???

What makes me a little ”worried” is that Primaluna has so many build in features which are supposed to make my life as a tube amplifier owner easier.
I mean, doesn’t these fetures affect the sound? ”Less is more”?

 

If you have any thoughts or experience about this, please let me know.

simna
ghasley
2,456 posts
 

It might be difficult to find preowned but a Leben CS600 or CS600x would check your power tube wants. Since you are desirous of rolling tubes, the Primaluna might be your best option given ease of rolling and adaptive auto bias. For best sound you might consider buying the amp for sound quality/match with your Tannoys and sell off the tubes.

 

A preowned Audio Note UK integrated might be all you need to match up well with the Tannoys and a Soro se sig used would slot into your price range. Once again, you fell in love with the tube sound when experimenting with an el84 based amp. Why not consider a preowned Audio Note OTO SE Sig or Leben CS300xs. Many of us here who have fallen for tubes over the years fell for the el84. I’ve spent alot of time and money over the years chasing ever more up the vacuum tube food chain. I have found it but it comes at a considerable cost. If I had stopped at the Leben cs300x/cs300xs 15 years ago I could own a small country with what I’ve spent since.

hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,898 posts
 

OP, I have had no problems with my Quicksilver Mono 60s. My local tech is an audiophile doing this 30 years. He upgraded the caps in my QS and said they were extremely well built -- great transformers, he said, which are key. In my virtual system, there's a photo of the guts of the amplifier (as well as the preamp), in case you want to see the point to point wiring and interior parts. 

Mike of Quicksilver has answered every email I've ever sent him and has a very good reputation on this forum and elsewhere. (There's a Facebook group for QS started by fans.) QS spends nothing on advertising and doesn't typically send units out to reviewers. It's a reputation and word of mouth based product as far as I can tell. FWIW.

j-wall's avatar
j-wall
354 posts
 

I owned the Primaluna Evo 400 integrated. It was a nice start into tubes. I then purchased a Dialogue Premium Pre and ran it through the HT input and it was a fantastic upgrade. I then went to a Dialogue Premium HP Poweramp for about a year or so and loved the sound, but felt I wanted more detail retrieval (and less heat) so I tried a PS Audio BHK250 and the detail and delicacy really was a move forward. The bass is also something else entirely, but might be a little too laid back of a sound in all honesty. In my very simple experience, the Primaluna was a great entry amp, but my BHK250 is a 15% better amp. I run tubes on the inputs and solid state on the output. If I had to scale back I'd pick up another Primaluna. But I've moved a little past it and have been happier with the detail. Will be looking to upgrade my Dialogue Premium Pre soon as well. Hope this helps. 

Post removed 
aniwolfe
757 posts
 

I own the Primaluna evo300 amp. It's a fun, great sounding product, that is incredibly flexible. If you like tailoring your own sound, don't hesitate to get one imho.

 

I previously owned the Pass Labs XA25. The Primaluna to me sounded better in my system. I wanted more detail and that great midrange that tubes bring to the table.

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