I bought a used TA 30 from a friend of mine. Basically stock...it sounded great with Mazda, tungsram and winged c's. But i needed more oomph! I looked inside and found your average cheap components so time to upgrade !!! Jensen PIO Cu foil in paper tube in back output tube section and Sprague Vitamin Q's at the inputs. I've just completed converting this average Chinese amp from its pentode to the more capable triode mode per Lampizator....guess what?.....it will forever stay as a triode amp!!!! My triode TA 30 will "Bruce Lee kick" Prima Luna's arse and drop the jaws of Conrad-Johnson. Trust me get an el-cheapo but working TA 30 and forget Prima Luna, spend your hard earned money and time for the mods and component upgrade instead and reach musical nirvana quicker.
Cayin TA 30 vs. PrimaLuna Prologue
Seems like the Cayin and Prologue are quite similiar in Basic architecture ... perhaps mfgr by the same CHinese OEM. However, The PrimaLuna ha smany added and very usefule features. I am told the Cayin has a US modifier .... but I wonder why go throught the expense and hassle of all the mods if you can one can buy the Prima Luna on Audiogon without risk of modifications for the same price?? Anyne experienced with these brands?