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Which would you pick? PrimaLuna

I currently have a PrimaLuna Dialogue 1 that was upgraded a bit to almost be a Dialogue two. I'm using it with KT120s and I'm very happy with it powering my B&W N805s. But I recently hot a great deal on a set of 803s that I've always wanted. I'm thinking a bit more power may wake them up even more. Now I have a shot to move up to PrimaLuna Prologue three and Prologue sevens for a thousand bucks difference.

If you've heard both, what do you think? It's a step down from Dialogue to Prologue series. But it's a step up to separates and more power. Overall is it a step up? And is it enough of a step up to justify a thousand bucks?

By the way-- I went to a local dealer today and listened to the prologue premium compared to the Mcintosh 6300. The difference wasn't nearly as much as expected. The PL had a sweeter midrange with its EL34 tubes and handled the speakers really well. The Mc was very nice too and had a touch more control in the lower bass, but it wasn't as dramatic as I expected. It was not worth the extra $1000 (the Mc was a demo model listed at $3k) IMO.
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Showing 3 responses by newbee

newbee
4,751 posts
 
I have a Prologue 3/5 combo as well as a Dialogue 2. The Dialogue 2 is better in all respects, except power output than the Prologue 3/5 in my system.

Don't consider Cayin! The distributor's service sucks big time (details available to those interested) and I suspect that perhaps Cayin no longer has a North American Distributor, or so it seems. Too bad though, I have big Cayin amps and their sound WAS fine before they died prematurely.
newbee
4,751 posts
 
Yep! And, FWIW, I found the Dialogue 2 has better bass and a warmer tone than I could ever get with the 3/5 combo. I also found the transparency of the PL3 wasn't exactly SOTA either, not that the Dialogue 2 is exceptional in that respect either. Overall I found the Dialogue to be just more 'musical', i.e. it was much easier to get lost in the music. FWIW, I use Tung-sol 6550's and EI 12AX7's and 12AU7's.
newbee
4,751 posts
 
Sound wise, I wouldn't assume that the PL Premium is better or worse than the Dialogue 2 series in most respects, different perhaps. The smaller transformers suggests either bass differences or a more limited ability to drive some speakers, or both. Build wise I suspect that either series is comparable, just using different parts for sonic reasons. I also suspect that the Prologue Premium and the Dialogue Premium may sound more similar to each other than either the PL or Dialogue series.

FWIW, I happen to have both the Dialogue 1, and the Dialogue 2. Using Identical tubes (and sources) in both they still do not sound the same. I think some is attributable to the bias circuit in each which is optimized for either the small or large power tubes, not both (but I have found the Sovtek KT88's and EI tubes in the Dialogue 1 do sound wonderful, and I prefer them to any EL34's or 6L6GC's I have tried.)

What I'm trying to say is that you already have a fine little amp and apart from 3db more sonic power and a little less than optimum resolution which most folks will never hear in less than an optimum set up you have little to gain by moving up the PL line. If absolute resolution is important to you I'd think you would want to hear the Dialogue Premium, or maybe even better yet the Dialogue Preamp/Amps. I would for sure, but they are a bit more expensive.
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