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Optimizing the Prima Luna Premium Integrated amp

Having had the Prima Luna Premium Integrated for about 7 months now its been one of my goals to retire the CJ PV10A I had been using for pre amp. However from the start the preamp section of the Prima Luna never seemed to measure up to the CJ in deep bass. Recently however I decided it was time to retube the 12AU7's in the CJ, sticking with trusted NOS Mullard CV4003's. Now having 2 pairs of Mullards to play with I was able to do some comparison swapping in the Prima Luna. Lo and behold, putting the Mullards in the rear 12AU7 sockets of the Prima Luna brought the low bass up to where it should be and differences become trivial swapping a variety of 12AU7's between the CJ and the front sockets of the Prima Luna

Mullard NOS CV4003 highly recommended for the back 12AU7 sockets of the Prima Luna Premium integrated. Not so recommended for both socket pairs as the combination becomes too forward in the bass. Funkwerkes 12AU7 and Prima Luna 12AU7 are in use now while I seek a quicker more neutral tube than the Mullard for the front pair.
128x128davide256
mechans
3,048 posts
 
NOS power tubes are frought with difficulties. They havent been produced, in the case of EL-34s, since the late 70s at best. Finding good ones is tough but I was able to buy some Philips XF3s I believe as a quad that did look new in box. The price exceeded $100/tube so be ready for sticker shock. I am aware that some of the big tube sellers have NOS outputs but rices are commensurate with thheir rarity.

Can you sub in the New Sensor Gold Lion KT77? That would be interesting. I am kind of surprised the KT-88 wasn't good in that amp. Another "super tube to consider is the "Tung Sol" KT-120 if the trannys can handle it, ask uncle Kevy?
Finally I would make a point of trying 2 current products that have worked out well for me. The Electroharmonix 6CA7 "big bottle" and the JJ blue glass E34l (note E34l not EL34 not a typo) very underated, don't try the JJ KT-77. JJs can be bought from a webstore US based called Eurotubes.com.
I will be interested in hearing the result. I noted that no 5751 made your preamp tube list, did you try them?
davide256's avatar
davide256 OP
399 posts
 
I may dabble with them at some point but the combination of the Amperex AT7's with the EL34's was like when you turn a knob and it clicks into place.... so many things were suddenly right I didn't feel a need to do more than fine tune the back 12AU7 choice for cleanest sound. I am hoping that when I upgrade the EL34's that the Mullards work well again as they were superb with the KT-88's.
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,884 posts
 
Like Meiwan says, try the Mazdas.

Brent Jessee has them.

All the best,
Nonoise
wolf_garcia
6,708 posts
 
Please try KT120s as I'm still waiting for a tranny failure incident report from anywhere. Also, I haven't raved enough about the Chinese made "preferred" 7025s from the tubestore. They are very "clean" sounding and put a more extended and airy (and maybe accurate) top end into my Jolida at what I think is a relative bargain cost. That part could explain why they don't get as much cred as the more expensive anything else. Don't be afraid to spend less! You can lie about the cost later.
tpreaves's avatar
tpreaves
2,686 posts
 
11-19-12: Wolf_garcia
Don't be afraid to spend less! You can lie about the cost later.

Love it!!!!! Mind if I steal it?
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