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Primaluna or not Primaluna

Hej

I have been hesitated some time now between buying new speakers or a new amplifier and have decided I will buy a new amplifier.

My list of demands:
It will take EL34, KT77, KT88 and 6550. Bonus if it takes KT120.
It will give at least 35 w with EL34 and 45 w with KT88.
It will have easy biasing using a screwdriver and with somekind of build in meter. In worst case autobiase will do.
It will use tube rectification and not solid state rectification (because I have heard solid state rectification takes away the tube sound).
It will not cost more than aprox $4000.

I have had a Line Magnetic LM-34IA once but had to much problems with the quality (bad solderings and bad balance between left and right).
First I thought it sounded quite good, but after have heard a Audion Audio Stirling EL34 SET amplifier I changed my mind. Now the LM-34AI sounded just OK.
I was told that Stirling EL34, with 12 w should be enough for listening at normal volumes with my 89dB speakers. But it was not. So here I am…
(And yes I know; a push-pull amp will never sound as a SET amp).

I have read about several amplifiers but none of them seems to fit my demands.

Here are my notes:
Line Magnetic LM-88IA   -   Just KT88. Bad experience with LM, both quality and sound.
Audio Research I/50   -   Just 6550 tubes. Too much hassle when adjusting bias.
Rogue Cronus Magnum III   -   Very mixed opinions. Solid state rectification.
Raven Blackhawk Mk 3.1   -   Just 6L6 tubes. Have to be imported from the US.
Tsakiridis Aelos Plus   -  Just KT88 tubes.
Fezz Silver Luna Prestige   -   Just EL34 tubes.
Fezz Titania   -   Just KT120 tubes (and maybe KT150 and KT170 too).
Cary SLI-80HS   -   Many bad opinions. Solid state rectification.
Jadis   -   Either too weak or too expencive.
Primaluna   -   ???

What makes me a little ”worried” is that Primaluna has so many build in features which are supposed to make my life as a tube amplifier owner easier.
I mean, doesn’t these fetures affect the sound? ”Less is more”?

 

If you have any thoughts or experience about this, please let me know.

simna
simna OP
165 posts
 

@marantz33

 

Late reply? I think you were fast :)

I thought using a multimeter was the new way because they say at the Quicksilver web site you have to use a multimeter.
But how does this work? Will the amp detect which tubes are installed? I mean EL34 and KT88 shouldn’t be biased with the same voltage. And what about KT120?

What makes me a little hesitant is the seller says both tubes are biased simultaneously!!!



@wsrrsw
I know Feliks Audio very well. I have had their headphone amp Elise many years. And I love it.
But 8w will be even worse than my 12w I have today.

marantz33's avatar
marantz33
35 posts
 

I think because these have been in production for so long there are various iterations. With mine you bias each tube individually. I start at 40 ma and adjust by ear. Typically the El come in somewhere around 46 and oddly enough the kt120 come in roughly the same. I believe I was mistaken when I said Mike told me both were at the same value it had been a long time since I had spoken to him and I since both tubes that I use in those coming around the same value I was obviously confused, my apologies. These were my first tube amps and I was a little intimidated at first but it is surprisingly easy, doesn't have to be done often, and is definitely worth it from a Sonic standpoint.

ronrags's avatar
ronrags
275 posts
 

You might be interested in the Rogue Cronus Magnum 3. I purchased the Rogue after owning the Primaluna Dialogue Premium and found it more detailed and dynamic. It’s 100wpc and it has a switch that allows you to toggle between ultra linear and triode modes. It’s very easy to bias with the supplied tool and built in gauge.  It’s made here in the USA and built extremely well.

For what’s it’s worth, there is a dealer in Sweden called Meta Wave and sells Rogue equipment. It might be worth to check it out 

wsrrsw's avatar
wsrrsw
878 posts
 

@simna

Yup Sensitivity: 89 dB. Thought they wwre more like 96db. I rhink given your budget and desire to roll roll roll a PL is your best bet. The el34’s are sweet dispite less power than 88’s or 150’s. PL’s auto bias and don’t run tubes hard. Your room, gear and speaker placemnt matter as mich too. 

jordi's avatar
jordi
110 posts
 

KT series Quicksilver’s…built for life ….sound great….look good and made in the USA….like WEATHER-TECH

…AND STIHL ……

Perfection….no Chinese garbage

QUICKSILVER never advertises so you pay for your product not for advertising 

BEST OF ALL POINT TO POINT NO CIRCUIT BOARDS💪💪💪💕💕💕

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