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Tube Integrated vs Tube Seperates

I’m looking into buying a tube setup.  Thinking it will be Primaluna because I find tube amps a bit intimidating and I will be putting lots of hours on it. Because these factors Primaluna seems like at least a good place to start for me. Thanks to all who gave me there impressions in my previous post about Primaluna.  Anyway, looking for people’s take on tube integrated vs tube seperates. Really what I’m looking for in the move is more holographic soundstage, bloom, air, and an over all more lifelike presentation. Will I get more of these qualities by going Dialogue preamp into Dialogue amp, or with the Dialogue HP integrated, or will it be very similar?  Any thoughts are much appreciated 

brylandgoodman
runwell
279 posts
 

Usually separates win by far, unless you choose set tube amp.

Budget is the key point before any suggestion.

 

brylandgoodman OP
83 posts
 

Budget is 3-5k. Like I said though I’m fairly set on Primaluna. 

runwell
279 posts
 

LM 508ia is way better in your price range.

as tube 805 is on very high level of the tube world and they provide 48w X2 power,which can meet a lot of speaker.

 

 

tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,744 posts
 

Separates is going to in most cases get you better power supplies optimized for the job at hand. I would MUCH rather have monoblock amplifiers located within 12”-24” of the speakers and an XLR balanced connection to the preamp. Depending on length of run and RF environment, you might be ok single ended RCA. You could get very close to this with Quicksilver amps and a pre at top end of your budget. What speakers are you running, how big is the room, how loud do you listen ?

Jim

golferjw
42 posts
 

I have had integrated dual mono amps that never sounded as good as my primaluna pre and amp.  I am getting another evo400 to run both in mono.  You will find separates to your liking.

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