Primaluna Dialogue Premium or Premium HP?

Also, FWIW, I have the HP powering B&W 803Ns, a Pro-Ject RM5.1, a Jolida JD9 (heavily modded) phono stage, and for the occasional CDs, an Azur 650C. I think it’s all a good match for each other.

I will also mention that I changed the input tubes to RCA Clear Top 12AU7 and found that it made the sound more open and improved the sound stage quite a bit. The stock tubes are very good, but I do prefer the RCAs for the overall tonal balance... just a little more alive.  They are a little shy on bass compared to the stock input tubes, but overall a better sound. I’ve just ordered a set of Cite 12AU7s for the input stage to see how they work out. I’ll report back when they arrive and break in for a while.

Well, I did end up getting the HP.  Sorry, I don't recall where I read that it may have a little less finesse than the Dialogue Premium, and don't have a way to compare.

I will say that compared to the Dialogue One, it is a step up for sure.  It has much more clarity, and better sound stage.  It has the power handling I was hoping for and seems to have a smoother overall sound.  I like it, and will definitely be keeping it.  I opted to put KT120s in it after only a short time with the standard EL34s, and I think this was a good move for the kind of music I listen to... mostly classic rock.

But, the real question is whether it's the major step forward you'd hope, based on its cost.  I would say it is a step forward, but probably not the major leap you'd expect.  If I was to go back, I'd opt for the Dialogue Premium instead and spend the extra $1k on music.  I don't think the extra power makes a substantial difference.  Even the Dialogue One handled my B&W speakers quite well.  

At some point in a year or two, I'll probably put the KT150s in.  But, I'm very happy with it at this point and don't feel a real need to upgrade to the higher power tubes.  Perhaps the KT150s would have a touch more power behind them, and may sound a little sweeter than the 120s.  It would be a fun experiment, but spendy.

If you are facing this decision too, and the cost is a stretch, I think you'd be just as happy with the Dialogue Premium as with the HP.  Frankly, even the Dialogue One or Two are awesome as well, and I think anyone would be happy with any of the PL integrated amps.  If you are in Minneapolis, bring a beverage of your choice, and I'd be happy to give you a demo!

Thank you, Kevin for your input!  I also agree that the Dialogue One I had was a great piece!  I enjoyed it for several years, and decided early on that if I were to upgrade, it would be along the Primaluna path.  I do feel the HP is an improvement in all ways.  I have recently added a pair of Cifte 12AU7s to the input signal path, and this seems to be a match made in heaven.  Even though they aren't yet broken in, we noticed they seem to have the clarity of the Clear Tops with the smooth range of the stock tubes and the bass I was really looking for.  Even the GF said that while she thought it was really good all along, it still seems to get better and better.  To me, that's a truly great testimonial.  

I'm very happy with it, and plan to keep it for many years to come!

You can definitely go to KT120. Not sure about 150, but there is information about this on the PL web site. Or call Kevin Deal. 

I can't help with your comparison.  However, as to cost of ownership, the thing you may want to consider is the number of tubes.  I upgraded my HP integrated to KT150 and I'm very happy with it.  Extra power for larger, hungrier speakers, and it sounds wonderful.  I think you'd be very happy with the upgrade from the Prologues.  

But, remember that the HPs have 8 power tubes each. I've read that the non HP version is a little bit smoother (albeit a marginal difference) than the HP versions (more powerful), but haven't experienced that myself.  Point is, if you have two mono power amps and want to upgrade the power tubes, you need 16 tubes in the HP version.  KT150s are about $100 each, so $1600 for tubes.  Ouch.

Other than that, I've been a happy Primaluna owner for about 8 years.  Not looking back!  Not interested in an upgrade!  Never had a problem.  

I used the EL34 for a while, and liked them.  I also tried KT120 but I found they had a bit of "glare" to them.  I tried a lot of things to make it better, and they sounded good, but not as sweet as the EL34.  Moving to the KT150 is the best of both worlds.  Sweet mids, clean highs, nice bass, good power, and good balance.  

Don't underestimate tube power.  Unless your speakers are really inefficient, like 85db or less, you should be fine, even with the EL34s.

I think the best way I could describe it is that it sounded like there was "fuzz" around the vocals.  The highs were there, and could be crispy and nice... but sometimes it would sound a little biting or harsh such that it made you turn it down a little.  That was more noticeable to my GF than to me, but I heard it too.  But, the most noticeable to me was the fuzzy sound around mids, especially vocals.

What you are describing sounds like something else.  More like a system mismatch or a problem with the listening space.

Oh, and you asked about musical preference.  We listen to classic rock, blues.  I could always hear this fuzzy sound with Mark Knopfler, or Rickie Lee Jones, for example.