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Macintosh MA352 vs PrimaLuna 300 EVO Hybrid

I know the 352 has been discussed previously.  I was about to pull the trigger on the PrimaLuna when the MAC came to my attention.  I think there's not much price differential here.  Obviously what I'm looking for is a tube front end driving solid state amplification.  I've always sworn off of Macintosh stuff because of the cachet (for right or wrong).  Both will drive my KEP R7 Metas with the Mac more than I require.  However, all I care about here is that it also has a couple balanced inputs and, of all things, a balance control.  I have a small hearing loss in one ear.  All these things become less significant in regard to the sound.  PrimaLuna is a tube outfit, and the front end is likely most important here. I don't care about the phono as I'm fixed there. As far as service, I've got a PrimaLuna dealer right next to me and I figure the Mac dealers are all over.  Reliability does matter, however, as dragging these weighty items about is not an attractive option.  Any ideas would be appreciated. 

128x128howardlee
glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,658 posts
 

One thing to consider is mac's will hold thier value forever, the Prima luna not so much. The new mac's are quite good and are much more flexable then the prima luna. 

"I've always sworn off of Macintosh stuff because of the cachet (for right or wrong)."

I know what your are saying i felt tthe same untill i bought a C2700 tube preamp and now SS mono blocks. I'm really liking the new mac sound. Also made in NA not China like Prima Luna. 

howardlee's avatar
howardlee OP
33 posts
 

PrimLuna's website sure doesn't say anything about China.  Lots of stuff about point-to-point wiring and Swiss-made wire plus the Dutch company and the European designers.  Not to say that Chinese construction can't be excellent....I have a Jay's CD transport, but it does seem like the unit is priced high for something made over there, when it is close in price to the Mac (which I haven't seen on any "best of" lists).  One other thing, though, is that the Mac is about 20 inches deep, a bit long for my shelf setup.  Are there any other worthy tube/solid state hybrids out there worth looking at that I'm not aware of?  I need at least 100 watts on this thing....

glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,658 posts
 

Prima luna is designed in Europe and built in China not that this is an issue.  i believe the same factory as Willsenton, line magnetic, Cayin. 

freediver
1,162 posts
 

Lets see:
P/L-Made in China,$7240.00 MSRP,LOW resale value(may not matter now but years later will),100/150wpc.@ 8/4 ohms...
Mac-Made in USA!!! Maintains resale value!$7000.00 MSRP,5 band equalizer/tone control,BEAUTIFUL McIntosh Blue VU meters,200/320wpc.@ 8/4 ohms...
This is a NO BRAINER,McIntosh for the WIN!!!
 

howardlee's avatar
howardlee OP
33 posts
 

I'm only interested in what they sound like.  I know Dick Olsher likes the PrimaLuna but there are not many reviews of the MA352.  There's also the MA252 though I have some write-ups comparing the two Macs and noting a significant difference between them.  Resale is always important but maybe not so much for someone in my age group  :) .  The VU meters are a pretty sales pitch, that's it, and the tone controls don't mean much for me beyond excess circuitry.  I would like a balanced input on the PL but there you go....

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