This is my first tube amp and i have not had the pleasure of listening to too many others (did hear a Dyanco at a store) but i looked at Jolida and Cayin and googled and search for all kinds of info.
What i liked about the Primaluna was the auto biasing, the solid build, the clean innards, and the resale priceas well as the sound. I figure if the used price holds up well and the sell fast on A'gon then there is a demand for it. Someone here (Raul?) said the Cayin sounds very different from the Primaluna even though the share some build charateristics. I have really nice rich smooth sound with decent bass (Triangle Comete speakers). Never was a subwoofer guy-THUMP
Listening to Son house or Lightning Hopkins or Leo Kottke play guitar is magical. It sounds like they are right there and the strings seem to vibrate.
Is it the best Int Tube amp out there, probably not but for the price it is tough to beat. If i had $1300-$1500 and i was going to buy a another used amp I might get a Cary SLI80 or a VTL IT85 but I'd rather plays with some speakers like single driver or a pair of Reynaud Twins or DeCapo's.
I never need a remote. Turn it on and go. Wish i had a remote for the turntable though LOL. I listen to lots of blues, some rock, mostly vinyl, lots of Public Radio and soem cd's and love the sound.
Dont use JJ EL34's they can cause arcing in this amp. I had this problem, talked to some dealers who comfirmed that i am not the only one this happened to. I have the mullard reissue EL34's and SED's and both sound great. I did send my amp into Mitch Singerman to look it over and replace the tube socket and he saw no damage to the amp everything checked out fine. It seems the JJ's pins may push the metal tabs in the socket out more than others.
My friends are amazed at the sound from this thing. I am tempted to try some set or other amp but why bother :)
