Primaluna EVO 400 Amps/Preamp lacking bass impact


We have Primaluna EVO 400 preamp with 2 EVO 400 amps running monoblock. Focal Kanta No3 speakers. 

We were hoping for a bit more bass impact. rolling the tubes in both amps might be out of the range we would invest here. 

Mostly music but sometimes used in HT setup with SVS SB-4000 sub. since the sub has full bass management we could add that leaving the Focal full range and setting the sub for 50hz/24db. 

As long as it is okay to have both balanced and SE outputs from the preamp hooked up at the same time? always wondered about that. 

stobbe

I have PrimaLuna Mono’s mated to a Dennis Had Inspire preamplifier. I have tons of bass, even while driving Electrostatics. I have no idea why you don’t. My thinking is, the issue isn’t the Mono’s!

…lacking bass impact…

just to be clear, is the OP looking for more bass energy or a tighter bass definition?

I found the original EL34's in the HP Mono  Blocks I use were missing too much. I  am driving ATC SCM19s that have a flat impedance curve with very little damping problems. I skipped the lesser tubes when I decided to roll and went directly to KT150s. What a difference! They've been in there going on six years and still sound fine.

After I finally got the speakers positioned properly the bass is crisp and fully present. Full disclosure: I added two REL T/7i subs to pick up the very low end that the SCM-19s don't extend to.

Rock, Jazz, Big Band, Blues, Reggae, Zydeco, Female and Male Vocals are all tonally balanced. I've heard a lot of live music and this setup does an excellent reproduction. Plenty of bass.

 

all tube amplifiers will have a low damping factorel34s don't have the current delivery of a kt88 or 6550

 

adding a sub is not the answer a good sub adds pressure to the leading and trailing notes of the mains 

you have a few options tube roll or add a solid state amplifier

 

we are a focal dealer if that helps

 

Dave and Troy

audio intellect nj

Focal dealer

or upgrade to a tune amplifier with balls or a hybrid