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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.
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nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,880 posts
 
Like Meiwan says, try the Mazdas.

Brent Jessee has them.

All the best,
Nonoise
wolf_garcia
6,704 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?
mechans
3,048 posts
 
Wolf thanks for the tip about a good 7025. I tried a NOS/OS 7025 many years ago. I think it was RCA, that one trial and a confirmatory message from a friend who tried another NOS/OS 7025, turned me against them.
If it's a Chinese tube it shouldn't cost too much. Your description of a clean sound is what I find in current production 12AX7s from Shuagang, very good tubes, but it is only good if it synergizes with the rest of your system.
wolf_garcia
6,704 posts
 
Yeah...it is a gamble so I'm always pleasantly surprised when a tube experiment works out in my rig. None of my tubes have been particularly expensive although I have to not think about the total cost of the "collection" piling up for the Jolida.
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