Cayin A - 88 T , sounds great but ...

Saki70:

I have been using the Prima Luna Prologue Two happily for the past year and a half. Admittedly, auto-biasing was one of the things that made me go with the P2, as I wanted a no fuss tube amplifier with possibly some tube rolling as the only tweak that I would perform. Note: The stock tubes are pretty good, but I replaced them anyway. I replaced the stock KT 88's with Svetlana (SED) KT88's; the 12 AX7's with NOS Sylvania; and the 12AU7's with NOS Mullard CV4003.

I can't say enough positive things about the P2. See my review of the P2 here . In fact I liked the P2 so much that I replaced a very good power amplifier in my other system to put in a Prologue 5. I use the P2 in a manner similar to yours ... in a small room and nearfield. This system sees more use than any other system. I didn't audition any other tube amps. I had dealt with Kevin Deal before, trusted him, and went with the P2.

For a good overview of biasing and what is involved here is a good site .

As for speakers, I am currently using Omega Super 3 (single driver), but would also recommend the NHT Classic line (Two or Three).

Regards, Rich

I too owned the Cayin A-88T- a truly great amp. It is not however, self or auto biasing. The biasing procedure involves removing the amp from the system, standing it on it's side, removing the bottom cover and following a biasing procedure.

This is admittedly not as easy as, say, the Cary SLI-80 Signature- a stunningly good amp that's far easier to bias.

I must say however that the Cayin- with proper tubes- is extrememly transparent, and lives up to the hype.

i have listened to the almarro integrated amp and prefer it sonically to the primaluna and cayin. the almarro sounds like it has a tube in it, whereas the cayin and the prima luna have a "cooler", less romantic presentation.

Listenhere ; Self or auto biasing is as the term implies . The amp contains a circuit that will bias the power tubes on its own , no user intervention required . The speakers , that I listed above , are quite nice and they are not fully broken in yet as I have only 135 hours on them . The dealer stated that the tweeters would require at least 200 hours to open up . The only caviet that I have is the 'somewhat' lack of sparkle on the top end as compared to their predessors , Soliloquy . This could also be a coloration aspect of the Soliloquy's .

Lindisfarne ; The Wright amps seem to be all SET's , do you thik that they will provide the extension and dynamics that I require for my music preference ? I can not find any listings here for Fi .

Rar1 ; I have read your review and it was a big factor in my decision to consider the Prologue II . Good review by the way !

Mrtennis ; Could you elaborate on the differences between the Almarro , Cayin and Prima Luna in relation to the extension , detail and dynamics at low volume , please ?

Thank you to all who have responded here ! Very helpful , as always !

Anyone else ?

Saki70, A couple of comments regarding small tube amps, especially the Primaluna models of which I have the One and the Three/Five combo.

Low volume dynamic's are far more likely to depend on your speakers that it is your amp when you're dealing with tube integrateds, although tube type choice can be influential. FWIW, in the PL5 which comes stock with KT88's, I have used every type that it can take (except for KT90's which have a signature I'm not particularily fond of). With my associated components I find the KT88 (SED's) to be somewhat fullish in the mid/upper bass, producing a warmish sound, with a slightly airy but uneven upper mids and highs. Actually a lovely, if somewhat non-linear sound. When using EL34's the deep bass takes a vacation (with small speakers no problem there). I found 6l6GC to be similar to the EL34's but they were a bit smoother thru the upper mids and highs - not overly warm though. Didn't leave them in long. Most recently, and surprisingly to me at least, I tried some SED 6550's. At first I just found them tonally too cool but after a while when playing some music with very well defined mids and highs I discovered what I didn't like about the other tubes! With the 6550's the upper frequencies were crystal clear and smooth. The bass was full and deep with out any upper bass bloom. All in all I think a very accurate tube in this amp with my stuff and it will be my tube of choice. BTW I still use the EH12AX7's that came with the unit - I found that they support the bass much better than other available new production tubes.

My point, in case you haven't figured it out by my wanderings, when you're considering tube amps its much more involved than just what brand of amp you buy but its the extent you are willing to go to get the sound you want out of your speakers.

My advise to you at this point of your experimentation, is to get the PL2 and a set of SED EL34's and a set of SED 6550's and then spend some time listening. If you don't like what you get you can sell it at minimal loss. If you do you can then fine tune it with different small tubes.

One last FWIW. In two non-PL amps I use KT88's in one, 6550's in the other, and using different small tubes I get a sound very similar to the PL5 w/6550's, the differences being in power, resolution, and subteranian bass capabilities.

I lied, one more FWIW - If absolute resolution and full bass that is less than tight is not a big deal for you, and you love a big, warm, linear sound, very smooth w/no rought edges, admit it and just buy the PL One. For less than analytical listening it is really a great little amp! Hell even Mr T might like this one. :-)