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Considering switching from Audio Research to PrimaLuna, troube with VS115 amp

Hello everyone, I have question that I hope some of you either can answer or have an opinion on. Ever since I was 17, I have always wanted to own Audio Research equipment. I’m 56 now, and finally was able to fulfill my life long dream. My first acquisition was an ARC LS15 pre-amp bought here used in mint condition. I paired it with a Vincent 331MK hybrid amp also bought here used in mint condition. The resulting sound was impressive. After that, I started looking for an ARC amp I could afford. The resulting search found me an ARC VS115 amp also here in used, awesome condition. This is where my problems and my doubts started. Upon hooking up the amp to my system, a tube in the left channel arced and blew a resistor. I had to take the amp to an ARC dealer and he installed a new resistor and suggested I buy all new tubes from ARC for the amp. I did and when I got back home, I again hooked up the amp and immediately upon turning the amp on, I started to hear thumping sounds coming from my left speaker, then, two left channel output tubes started to glow a very bright orange, and then white smoke started to rise from one of the tube sockets. I immediately turned the amp off. I called the dealer and he suggested I mail the unit back to ARC. I did and I am now waiting to see what they say.

During this time, I started to search out other brands and came across one called PrimaLuna. I have watched their videos and seen them compared to ARC equipment. Their build quality seems to be superior to ARC and the reviews are over the top. I am looking at their Dialogue Premium HP amp and their Dialogue Premium pre-amp. For what they cost, considering how they are built and supposedly sound compared to units costing 3 to 4 times their price, they almost seem too good to be true. Anyway, my bubble has been burst, and in simple terms, I am considering jumping ship and going with another company instead of ARC, despite all those years of drooling and waiting.

My main question is this, is there anyone out there that either owns PrimaLuna or has had experience with the equipment and can give me their opinion on owning and using it. Then, my second question is how does PrimaLuna really compare to other high end equipment such as ARC. Kevin Deal in his videos on PrimaLuna makes a very compelling case for the equipment. In one video, he compares an ARC LS17SE to the PrimaLuna pre-amp.

My last question is in regards to my ARC VS115 amp problems. Anyone have an opinion on what is going on with my amp or a VS115 in general. For those of you who want to know what else is in my system, I am using KEF 104ab speakers, a Cambridge Azur 752BD Blu-ray player as my CD player, Morrow Audio Cables and I am considering getting the Sony HAP-Z1ES music player for my digital files.

I greatly appreciate all who take the time to comment and give their opinions. I will be glad to answer any questions you may ask or provide additional. Thanks for your help. Steve.


128x128skyhawk51
aolmrd1241
1,010 posts
 
Thanks for the nice compliment fsonicsmith. More civility in these forums can go a long way towards the end goal of...great music in our homes.



Kevin...Don’t forget about Dick Olsher!!! One of the finest audio reviewers I have ever had the pleasure of reading in my entire audiophile life. He gets it...

From his review of the Dialogue Premium preamp...Enjoy!

"The Dialogue Premium line preamp strikes me as one of the best things PrimaLuna has ever done. In particular, purity of expression and tonal realism are two of its strongest sonic assets. The incremental improvements to the Dialogue Three have borne fruit. The Premium version is now able to swim with and compete effectively against high-end’s cost-no-object heavyweights. And that, my fellow audiophiles, is a rarity. If you’re looking for a basic line preamp that is sanely priced and offers genuine tube magic, this is it! An enthusiastic two thumbs up recommendation!"

www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/1014/PrimaLuna_Dialogue_Premium_Preamplifier.htm
fsonicsmith's avatar
fsonicsmith
931 posts
 
I'm biased (pun) as hell. After strongly considering the PL Dialogue and AR LS28 I decided to go whole hog with the Ref 6 which I paid for but don't even have yet! Next week. I hope to get an ARC Ref 150SE too. I can't afford either but my sons are grown and through college and my view is that it's all gravy after that. At 58 I decided life is short. I've done a lot of relatively worthless research (pun again) but there is no substitute for listening in one's own room with own associated gear. This entire dialogue (arghh) has gone a bit sideways. It was never about comparing ARC's best with PL and I think I'm to blame for that. OP, I own a VS110 and it's built like a tank but yes, resistors fail on purpose with tube arc (double arghh) and you need to find a local technician to replace the resistor. Normally this is so routine that even enthusiasts good with a soldering iron and who have seen it done once can do it. Granted, your ultimate problem warrants a trip to Minnesota and it's a shame you lost so much on tubes. If by any chance you decide to keep the VS115 you want to replace the driver tubes with Russian Military grade 6H30's and the output tubes with Sovtek 6550's from Kevin. The output tubes at $40 each are a bargain! I tried much more expensive output tubes in my VS110 and it was Kevin who suggested the less expensive Sovteks and my SQ and reliability went up. Kevin does know his stuff. So back to ARC Ref stuff-we enthusiasts buy based on perceived quality and looks. It becomes a belief system. What can I say, in ARC I trust. Oh, one last thing Kevin, should you happen to see this; twice now you've mentioned this six-position testing regimen. What in the hell does that have to do with anything? Do gravitational forces effect electrons flowing through a piece of kit? Now you sound like one of those self-proclaimed space/aerocraft engineers! These are NOT chronometers! (I am a watch guy too). Oh, I lied. One more thing-by state of the art standards, Alps Blue Velvet volume controls are universally viewed as mediocre/undesirable. With any pre-amp, the volume control is absolutely critical. 
mdeblanc's avatar
mdeblanc
61 posts
 
to the OP, if you insist on a tube amp, check out decware. I don't own nor have a heard a decware amp, but it's another website to check out.
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,412 posts
 

Dick Olsher and Art Dudley, my two favorite contemporary reviewers.

Speaking of U.S.A. designers and builders of "affordable" electronics, beside the great Mike Sanders of Quicksilver, let’s not forget Ralph Karsten of Atma-Sphere and Roger Modjeski of Music Reference, both tube masters. Great designs and products, great guys, great companies.

And in the loudspeaker field, if you don’t have the scratch for (or don’t care for the sound of) the upper-end Wilson Audio or Vandersteen speakers, there are the offerings from both Jim Winey at Magnepan and Bruce Thigpen at Eminent Technology, whose dipole panel speakers punch way, way above their price points.

kot
132 posts
 
Rogue Audio M 180 monos are really good! Made in USA too! Just ask them if they will modify them to use the EL 34 & KT 77 tubes that sound so much sweater and refined ... Even the Stereo 100 is a great amp, but once again insist on EL 34 version if you decide to give it a shot .The Rogue Audio in general is a great brand in my experience.... Both of those have sounded better than Prima Luna in my short demo few years back in that particular set up with Bowers Wilkins 803s ....
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