1. Home
  2. amps-preamps
  3. 197725-198226

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?

 

retiredaudioguy
buellrider97's avatar
buellrider97
1,016 posts
 

+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

mm1tt77
257 posts
 

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.  

rivington66's avatar
rivington66
93 posts
 

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. 

mark200mph
880 posts
 

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.

allenf1963
505 posts
 

 

@retiredaudioguy 

Did you make a typo or am I missing something?  You first wrote:

"I dug up my 40 year old (!) C-J PV6"

But then you said:

 

"Never restored. I bought it in about 1955 from Stereo Exchange."

 

Did you mean 1985, or has C-J made that unit that long?  I’m not familiar with Conrad-Johnson’s complete history.  Thanks!

 

More to discover