McIntoish C8 or PrimaLuna EVO 300
Both of the McIntoish C8 and PrimaLuna EVO 300 preamps seem to check the boxes in terms of inputs, outputs and features, and I can lift them. Does anyone have experience of either or both of these preamps?
I think my system is in need of a bit of warmth, I have noticed recently that the very highest violin notes are a bit aggressive - in the recent past I've been listening to mainly choral works and had not noticed this.
I was playing the Hilary Hahn sonatas and partitas, (I have the disks and digital) and noticed the problem. I dug up my 40 year old (!) C-J PV6 and the sound was sweet to the top, but that pre-amp lost the air and space of the choral recordings; everything was warm and cuddly but the sense of the recording space was lost.
My interconnects are Cardas Clear Reflection and I have the issue on both analog and digital - and with SS or tubed Power amps.
My current preamp is the Benchmark LA4 which is, perhaps, a bit on the analytical side of neutral.
Changing from my Rockport Atria II speakers is NOT an option.
So, I am looking for warmth but not losing the sense of the space, Am I asking too much in the $5k price bracket?
I have a Mac C2500 tube preamp and love it. I have owned 4 other preamps, but this one is special, it’s dead quiet, plenty of flexibility and I also have tone controls if I need a little tweak. I would look at the Prima Luna Evo with interest if it uses the 6SN7 tubes, if not I would go with the Mac.
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@buellrider97 Never restored. I bought it in about 1955 from Stereo Exchange. it was in my system (with an MV52) for several years, then my daughter used it until 2013, it's been in my basement from the end of 2013 until today! It is classic (old) C-J warm and cuddly, not the last word in resolution, lovely sound but little "air" or "space". Mine is also noisy - slight wubba wubba sounds in the left channel.
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@stereo5 The PrimaLuna uses 12AU7s. I actually have a bunch of great 6SN7s but no modern preamps seem to use them. I am leaning towards the C8 but would like to hear from a PrimaLuna owner. But I have done business with Upscale Audio before and buying from Crutchfield might cost me my Audiophile chops. |
