Why is there no love for Prima Luna?

Audiomerk that something lacking is tube warmth!😃

@audiomerk, if you want more warmth, 2 things you can do.

1. insert Shuguang nature sound 6CA7 output tubes, and replace the first two input tubes with Shuguang 12AU7 - TG.2. reduce the Neg feedback a bit on the amp, the imaging will greatly improve, and the imaging will be much more 3-D

Audiomerk, I would not put any more money in trying to get the PL to fit your sound desire. Just unload it. Thru the years I have learned, If one cannot dial in an audio component to satisfying sound quickly (maybe change the first set of tubes), then its not ever going to work. I've read posts where people feel there's something missing on an expensive amp and then try to make it sound right with expensive power cables, etc. Sorry, especially for SS amps, if the general sound character you want is not there out of the box and after a day or two......its not going to happen. 

"there is something significant missing from my PrimaLuna Evo 300 integrated, which replaced my Cary amp and preamp."

I would hope ANY decent amp/preamp combo is "better" than a value integrated unit. It doesn't seem to be a reasonable expectation the PL integrated should outshine a Cary amp/preamp setup. 

"I would not put any more money in trying to get the PL to fit your sound desire. Just unload it."

Agreed. Any piece of equipment is going to have a fundamental "sound" to determine if it's a keeper. I have interest of possibly  tweaking my PL from a  curiosity/hobbyist perspective.  

Hybrids are the way to go. McIntosh or Pathos.