I’m an integrated amp guy, but… I had a Mystere ia21 with 6sn7s and now have a Primaluna EVO 300 tube integrated with 12au7s. I’ve run both with KT88 power tubes. The EVO 300 is brighter, but otherwise similar to the ia21 - to my ear. I agree with @glennewdick as far as resale value.
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?
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Get a Schiit Freya + to enjoy a preamp with more features and options than most, a Class A Stereophile rating (still), and save some bucks. I have the original with NOS GE tubes that sounds astonishingly good. Not expensive enough for some but you can make it up elsewhere with $5,000 ac cables or a trip to the Bahamas. |
Neither is "better" than the other. Build quality, feature and flexibility and value the PL is "better" and a true all tube amp compared to the Mac. You would need to have both side by side to hear which is "better" to your ear-not someone on a forum. Used would be the "best" cost/performance. You could likely negotiate a lower price with shipping included. Primaluna Evo 300 Preamp with Extras!! For Sale - US Audio Mart If you're into the tube rolling thing, the PL will offer more "tuning" than the Mac. |
+1 @winoguy17 , Modwright is a GREAT choice. It also allows you to use a superior tube to the 12AU7 family. +1 @wolf_garcia , Schiit gear punches well above its price point and also uses the superior tube. FWIT I have 4 pieces of Schiit gear , 3 DAC’s and a EQ and it’s great. FWIT I was loaned a Midwright KWI -200 integrated from a dealer friend and it was a great piece. Dan’s gear is top notch , sounds great and he supports his customers. I have a pre that takes 8-6H30I tubes hence I’m stuck using Sovtek or EH ( same plant ). If I wanted nos Russian it would be $2400 for an octet if I could even find that many that matched. You have nice gear and that Midwright is a winner , and the logic for the Schiit pre is solid too. Just buy both 😆 . Happy Listening , Mike |
I had a PrimaLuna Evo400 Integrated Amp, it was built like a tank. What it wasn’t in my system was overly warm. I would put it in the category of being Tube gear that leaned toward sounding more SS. If you are chasing warmth, then I’d go with Mac gear, Cary Audio, a newer CJ Pre or have yours updated. Maybe their stand alone Pre’s are different though. Value, dollar for dollar, the Schitt Freya is really hard to top. You could grab one, try it and likely resell it for little to no loss if you bought one used. |
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