Primaluna Two : cables, tube rolling ...

Masi:

I have owned the Prima Luna Prologue Two (integrated amp) for 10 months and the Prologue Five (power amp) for 5 months. After about 3 months, I replaced the stock tubes on the Prologue Two with Svetlana K88's; NOS Sylvania 12AX7's; and NOS Mullard 12AU7's. What prompted the purchase is that one of the stock tubes burned out and I figured that it was a good idea to have a spare set. I purchased the tubes from Upscale Audio (where I purchased the amps). I am still using the stock tubes that came with the Prologue Five.

For both amps, I am using IXOS Silver Gamma 1001 interconnects (silver/copper hybrid); Signal Cable Classic Speaker Cables; and Cardas TP5 power cords. I have used these assorted cables in a variety of systems over the last 4 years. I like the way silver/copper hybrid interconnects sound ... good detail with pleasing bass and treble. Additionally, I also like the sound of Better Cables and Signal Cable Silver interconnects with these amps.

Changing the tubes has made for a more elegant, smoother, and more refined sound. The stock tubes were more than OK, but the new tubes really brought the amp up a notch. If you have the extra $200 to $300 burning the proverbial hole, try a new set of tubes.

Regards, Rich

I run my Pro-2 with JJ KT88 ,Ei 12ax7 and NOS Tungsram Industrial Grade 12au7.Much more refined sound than stock.PC is a Blue Circle BC62 which is quite neutral. IC from the Cary 303-300 is Kimber Hero.

I also own the Prologue 2, with Rega Jupiter CDP, Rega P25, and Wilson Benesch Arc speakers.

I retubed using Electro Harmonix KT88s, RFT 12au7s, and Groove Tube 12ax7s. My cables are Harmonic Tech Truthlink IC and Pro 9 speaker cables. The power cord is the VH Audio Flavor 2.

The P2 is an awesome amp!

Although no longer an owner of the PL2, which I enjoyed until upgrading, I still have, and will sell, some power tubes that raised the performance appreciably. These are GT (Groove Tube) KT88s of early '90s vintage. I have one quad with very little use (100 hours?) and one pair that is NOS, used only for checking that they work. Both the quad and the pair are graded in the higher levels of GT's assessment hierarchy. Will price very attractively for someone who wants all six.

Well, here's my input.

I haven't been a cable believer but I tried the affordable Grover Huffman's RCAs (UR5 model) from the Primaluna to the Dynavector P75 phono stage. Let's just say that I am a cable believer now. 2006 agenda is to look into getting his speaker cables. Much more detail information heard now.

I am still using the stock power tubes but have rolled the 12ax7 and 12au7 positions. Mullard CV4004 in 12ax7 have the following qualities: warm, tighter edges/focused sounding, great tonality. The famed Amperex 7316s are thinner sounding, have focused images, are very very dynamic but not the last word in warm with lotsa high frequencies. Siemens 12AU7s brought beautiful tonality, big images, and depth in the soundstage and are my preference - just a solid tube.

I'm puzzled as to what power tube to buy. What's the run down on the current production power tubes?

The EI KT90s are tempting but I'm wondering if this will be too solid state sounding to me. I definitely like a thicker sound. But then I read the Swets are too slow and muddy, the EH's are too bright, and the EI's are great but too solid state. For every negative, I read a positive. Fun to read but puzzling! Looks like I'm just going to have to pick one. I did seem to glean from most online comments that unless you are buying NOS, KT88s/90s are the way to go. :-)