Maybe a good compromise is some type of hybrid?
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
- ...
- 57 posts total
I think you are very close to making the wrong choice. Prima Luna goes out the front door and Cayin goes out the back. Same Chinese factory or so I have read. If you plan high usage then a US based service option will be important. ARC I-50, $5k new. Made in MN. Rogue Audio-made back east for even less. If I was going overseas to save money, the LM line has great SQ. The Wilsenton ?? $2,500 has great reviews too. The Harbeth like power and current. Do some more homework before you buy.
|
Always go separates if you can swing the purchase. That gives you flexibility down the road to switch to solid state on either pre-amp or amp if you want to change something up. I heard a Primaluna EVO 300 a year ago when looking to upgrade. Really nice integrated amp. Great soundstage and clarity. I ultimately went with full tube separates and a different manufacturer, but the Primaluna stuff was the runner up for me. |
Yeah… this:
Means: Run 2x class-D monoblocks. I have PL amp, and a different tube pre. So I kinda agree that a Tube Pre and come class-D Purifi or similar could be a sensible approach. (Or sensible to me)
“D”s should never be small… and double-Ds should be move the cones around. |
@brylandgoodman you had commented that "Line Magnetic I find fascinating but I worry they aren’t a great amp to run for as many hours as I’d be using them. I could be wrong though." I've had some interest in Line Magnetic for a while, but never had the impression that there would be an issue with how many hours you could put on them. Was your impression in reference to how long the tubes would last or the actual amp failing after extended usage? |
- 57 posts total