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Primaluna or not Primaluna

Hej

I have been hesitated some time now between buying new speakers or a new amplifier and have decided I will buy a new amplifier.

My list of demands:
It will take EL34, KT77, KT88 and 6550. Bonus if it takes KT120.
It will give at least 35 w with EL34 and 45 w with KT88.
It will have easy biasing using a screwdriver and with somekind of build in meter. In worst case autobiase will do.
It will use tube rectification and not solid state rectification (because I have heard solid state rectification takes away the tube sound).
It will not cost more than aprox $4000.

I have had a Line Magnetic LM-34IA once but had to much problems with the quality (bad solderings and bad balance between left and right).
First I thought it sounded quite good, but after have heard a Audion Audio Stirling EL34 SET amplifier I changed my mind. Now the LM-34AI sounded just OK.
I was told that Stirling EL34, with 12 w should be enough for listening at normal volumes with my 89dB speakers. But it was not. So here I am…
(And yes I know; a push-pull amp will never sound as a SET amp).

I have read about several amplifiers but none of them seems to fit my demands.

Here are my notes:
Line Magnetic LM-88IA   -   Just KT88. Bad experience with LM, both quality and sound.
Audio Research I/50   -   Just 6550 tubes. Too much hassle when adjusting bias.
Rogue Cronus Magnum III   -   Very mixed opinions. Solid state rectification.
Raven Blackhawk Mk 3.1   -   Just 6L6 tubes. Have to be imported from the US.
Tsakiridis Aelos Plus   -  Just KT88 tubes.
Fezz Silver Luna Prestige   -   Just EL34 tubes.
Fezz Titania   -   Just KT120 tubes (and maybe KT150 and KT170 too).
Cary SLI-80HS   -   Many bad opinions. Solid state rectification.
Jadis   -   Either too weak or too expencive.
Primaluna   -   ???

What makes me a little ”worried” is that Primaluna has so many build in features which are supposed to make my life as a tube amplifier owner easier.
I mean, doesn’t these fetures affect the sound? ”Less is more”?

 

If you have any thoughts or experience about this, please let me know.

simna
ronrags's avatar
ronrags
275 posts
 

You might be interested in the Rogue Cronus Magnum 3. I purchased the Rogue after owning the Primaluna Dialogue Premium and found it more detailed and dynamic. It’s 100wpc and it has a switch that allows you to toggle between ultra linear and triode modes. It’s very easy to bias with the supplied tool and built in gauge.  It’s made here in the USA and built extremely well.

For what’s it’s worth, there is a dealer in Sweden called Meta Wave and sells Rogue equipment. It might be worth to check it out 

wsrrsw's avatar
wsrrsw
877 posts
 

@simna

Yup Sensitivity: 89 dB. Thought they wwre more like 96db. I rhink given your budget and desire to roll roll roll a PL is your best bet. The el34’s are sweet dispite less power than 88’s or 150’s. PL’s auto bias and don’t run tubes hard. Your room, gear and speaker placemnt matter as mich too. 

jordi's avatar
jordi
110 posts
 

KT series Quicksilver’s…built for life ….sound great….look good and made in the USA….like WEATHER-TECH

…AND STIHL ……

Perfection….no Chinese garbage

QUICKSILVER never advertises so you pay for your product not for advertising 

BEST OF ALL POINT TO POINT NO CIRCUIT BOARDS💪💪💪💕💕💕

slantgut
16 posts
 

I wouldn't advise tube rectification in a power amp unless you listen at very low volume or have very sensitive/efficient speakers.  Unless you don't value dynamics. PLs amps are SS rectified but their preamps are tube rectified and IME they sound great.

fpomposo
46 posts
 

Prima Luna is nice, but it’s still made in China.. personally I try to keep Chinese stuff out of my Golf bag, out of my HiFi, and definitely not on my wrist...

I was at the Long Beach audio show and one of the best amps and most beautiful I heard was from a company called Margules and it’s exactly what you were asking for, 50 watts/ch pure class A with KT88’s... And get this Margules is made in Mexico City, the company is like 80 years old making pro audio. Not only were these one of the best sounding amps at the show IMO, they are beautiful, awesome self biasing servo system, beautiful wood side panels and mirror polished copper plate, just gorgeous and in the same price range as Prima Luna about $5k, just so cool and unique. I never knew Mexico made any HiFi, the designer was there and was a really cool smart guy who spoke perfect English with almost no accent... I plan on getting one of those amps maybe the preamp too, it’s just beautiful and sounds excellent

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