McIntoish C8 or PrimaLuna EVO 300

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.  

I disagree with the statement to disregard the C8 and go for a newer McIntosh Preamp.  They are simply different and it depends on what you prefer. The older C8’s have a magic and musicality about them. Newer Macs offer different characteristics. You can get a lot of info here, which is great, but at the end of the day you’ll have to spend some time In front of them with your ears. 

Mcintosh has been around alot longer than prima luna.just saw a primaluna cd could not be fixed. mcintosh has service centers all over and still has most parts.the resale on mcintosh is very high it retains its value.the stuff i bought 4 years ago now used > 30 increase in used price. I have a primaluna cd i got from upscale audio it was a 220 volt had to get a transformer to do 110 to 220.sounds great but doubt I'll be able to get it fixed when it goes down. Enjoy the music.