Primaluna opinions wanted


Hello
Happy new year!

Is the Primaluna brand a giant killer in the tube realm,or the flavor of the day and over rated?

Are the buyers mostly new to tube (due to the self bias feature) and tickled with what they hear opposed to the SS they most likey had?

inquiring minds want to know!

Thanks for any comments.
mcgarick
They aren't really in the same league and are very different in all respects except for the remarkable quality of construction or "the build quality."
The PL feels like a much more expensive amp. It sounds like a typical amp in it's price bracket.
The Mac is twice the money and to me doesn't really sound like a top notch tube amp. It sounds more SS to me than other tube amps.
In any event you won't be confused about what the sonic signature of these amps.
Apples and Oranges!
If you want the Mac iron fisted control and slam you won't hear it from a PL. If you want a really nice 4 tube integrated that reeks of careful construction but sounds as you would anticipate for 2k then the PL is your choice.
Or if you want something that I bought for less than the Mac costs then be prepared to blow yourself away with Opera Consonance Tube Monoblocks called Cyber 800s. I have never heard such good sound period, never mind that they list for a breath under $4K.
As long as we are headed off topic,lets' increase the budget to say $5-6K.We might now include integrateds from Cary,VAC,ARC and amplifiers such as the small Jadis,some OTLs:Atmosphere,Berning,Navison,Lamm,the Dartzel,Soul amps,VAC PHI and Ren and I'm sure I have missed a few.
McGarick:What is the budget?Integrated or pre/power?Any idea what speakers will be used?
I have owned the Prologue 2 for a couple of years . It has been trouble free and somewhat of a cameleon with all of the tubes that can be used in it . Easily tailoring the sound to your desires .
I prefer it to the Cary SLi-80 ( less maintaince and better topend extension) and the Cayin A-88T (much less maintaince and better extension on the top). And it costs about half as much .

I have owned the Cayin and A/B it to the Cary . These two are actually pretty close to each other in sound .

And yes , the auto biasing is a definite plus and tubes sound better to me than SS . Especially at this price point .
The 7 monos are very, very good sounding, flexible (tube rolling), reasonably powerful, well built, and easy (auto-bias). No complaints at all. They are usually my tube amp of choice over the ARC VT130SE and Cary 805 and 300B monos that I also own.

Marty
I own the PL Dialogue Two. Have had it for about 3 years. It is driving a pair of Coincident (Extreme version) speakers. After much tube rolling of the 12ax7s and 12au7s (with NOS) and trying different KT88s, I feel this is absolutely the best sound for the money I have ever heard. Sources include the Prima Luna CD Eight (w/upgraded board and a full compliment of NOS tubes) and a Monarchy Audio DAC used with a mac itunes. IC and speaker cables are Coincident and DH labs. Top to bottom extension,huge 3D soundstage, unexpected bass slam and a glorious" real" sounding mid range. Highs are beautiful as well. Initially, the Dialogue Two sounded bright and aggressive with the Coincident speakers. Rolling the 12ax7 and 12au7 changed the amp completely. Now extremely happy with the set up. This is a beautiful product. I highly recommend it but be prepared to spend some money on tubes.