Shootout-- Primaluna Dialog HP Integrated/Carver Crimson 275/Elekit 300B

Interesting read.

Carver is one of the  brands never or rarely mentioned as having a bland/boring sound.

Is it safe to say this reinforces all the PL hype of value-cost/build/performance?

Yes, the Carver sound is not bland or boring here.  It is, however, well behaved at all times.  I haven't experienced any harshness.  There's a special smoothness on the whole spectrum that sounds very sophisticated.  That would be a turnoff if the amp didn't have such a high boogie factor to round that out.  Marry those two together and it's a beguiling sound that romances me.  

My sense is that Bob Carver really knows how to voice an amplifier.   His amp really won me over with soundstage, imaging, and texture.  Those three things come together in a holographic picture that I love.  

Honestly, I cannot knock Prima Luna.  It is such a wonderful product.  Personally, I don't think that I need to pay for that build quality because I wouldn't keep the amp for 20-30 years.  I'll also note, my only real knock on PL is subjective--I think their casework is strong and well thought out but not attractive. Personally, if I want to love a product for the super long haul, it has to have compelling/charming aesthetics.  The PL just looks like a big boring black box to me.  It feels and operates great.  In the looks category I'd give it a solid B or B-.   Again, this is my own subjective view. 

I buy hifi from anywhere it is made.  But, it's nice to know though that Bob Carver has his amps made in California--likely at the Wyred 4 Sound facility.  

JJSS49's point about my speakers is a fantastic one--they are super easy loads.  It would be interesting to hear the Carver with more difficult loads/less efficient offerings.  The PL shines in that department.  It can drive anything.  I just don't know what the Carver can do in that area.  

"Round", "smooth", "clean", "party", etc. I read this as all three being bad amps. For some reason people like to call lack of dynamics "smooth", "laid-back", etc, as if it's a matter of taste between positive traits and not simply that it sucks. I keep hearing disappointing comments about PL.

@madavid0, it's not accurate to say "it sucks" so I didn't say that.  Trust me, if only this hobby were so simple.  I wish it was as easy as, Amp A sucks, and Amp B doesn't. 

The previous posters name and history says it all...

Same rants in all threads. Poor guy, his world sucks!