PrimaLuna Owners & Discussion Thread

[bhobba]

Hi Guys

 

I had previously heard that the new Prima Luna Dialogue Amp was pretty good: 

http://www.primaluna-usa.com/product-main/dl-prem-series/dlprem-int

 

Anyway had the chance to hear it today with the ML2 Limited.

 

It has two modes - a Triode class A mode with about 13 watts and a Ultra Linear mode at about 40 watts.

 

Heard the Ultra Linear mode first. It was OK - quite good in fact - but switched to the lower power Triode mode - clearly and obviously better - but only 13W.

 

Started playing some typical stuff like Donald Fagan - Morph The Cat.  Really good - but hey - 13w - surely that would be a problem with other stuff.  Ok - what about Rage Against The Machine - surely not.  Ok tried it - what the fook - turned it up quite loud - no problem. Now it wasn't head banging ear bleeding levels but it was as loud as I would care to take it.  Amazing.  Tried my favorites - Fever and Case Of You - very natural, relaxing, real organic sound - you simply sit there with a smile on you face and relax.  I hate to say it but I preferred it to the Arion 500's - from memory anyway.  Only one way to find out - put on the Arions.

 

Ok on they went.  Very nice smooth detailed type sound I had heard before.  But, to my ears it was outclassed by the Prima Luna - simply more natural and real sounding.  I did some very careful listening to Case Of You and a bit of distortion was noticed on the Arions that was absent on the Prima Luna.  We played it a few times - it was there.

 

There you have it - one fine amp.  Within its power rating it outclassed a state of the art digital.  And the levels you could get with that 13W was simply astonishing,

 

Next thing is to see how it goes against my Leak when it gets upgraded.

 

Thanks

Bill

 

 

 

  

[Darren69]

Very interesting Bhobba. A mate has the mono block amps and they are a sweet thing, Daft Punks newie, through those and my Focals was just incredible....and I am not a fan of Daft Punk, haha.

Edited December 23, 2013 by Darren69

[bhobba]

Very interesting Bhobba. A mate has the mono block amps and they are a sweet thing, Daft Punks newie, through those and my Focals was just incredible....and I am not a fan of Daft Punk, haha.

 

Hi Darren

 

Yes - you mentioned it in another thread which is one reason I wanted to check it out.

 

Often stuff doesn't live up to the hype - this did.

 

Well worth seeking out and having a listen.

 

Thanks

Bill

[unclemack]

I have the Prologue Classic and it's been a lovely little amp. The PLs are a very well built and designed thing.

 

Cheers

 

M

[Midori]

I had the prima luna prologue 2 previously but have moved up to dialogue 3 preamp paired with parasoumd power amp. I can attest to primaluna's quality.

I have yet to hear the premium range.was it the dialogue premium you listened to?

I also noticed that they do not produce monoblocks for the premium dialogue range anymore. They do have mono blocks for the prologue premium range though. I have a feeling that the monoblocks are just the bridged version of their two channel version. Does anyone have information on this?

[Darren69]

I could find out. If I remember.

 

What power amp do you have?

[Midori]

I could find out. If I remember.

 

What power amp do you have?

A52

[Darren69]

Will ask my local mate, they stock PL.

[bhobba]

I have yet to hear the premium range.was it the dialogue premium you listened to?

 

It was the Dialogue Premium Integrated as per the link.

 

Hope they are still producing the Dialogue Premium monoblocks because I know someone really keen on getting some and I want to hear it.

 

Thanks

Bill

[Darren69]

I dont know the diff between the two (prologue/dialogue). :/

[betty boop]

sure are beautifully made very well put together amps thats for sure ! 

[wis97non]

Hi Guys

 

I had previously heard that the new Prima Luna Dialogue Amp was pretty good: 

http://www.primaluna-usa.com/product-main/dl-prem-series/dlprem-int

 

Anyway had the chance to hear it today with the ML2 Limited.

 

It has two modes - a Triode class A mode with about 13 watts and a Ultra Linear mode at about 40 watts.

 

Heard the Ultra Linear mode first. It was OK - quite good in fact - but switched to the lower power Triode mode - clearly and obviously better - but only 13W.

 

Started playing some typical stuff like Donald Fagan - Morph The Cat.  Really good - but hey - 13w - surely that would be a problem with other stuff.  Ok - what about Rage Against The Machine - surely not.  Ok tried it - what the fook - turned it up quite loud - no problem. Now it wasn't head banging ear bleeding levels but it was as loud as I would care to take it.  Amazing.  Tried my favorites - Fever and Case Of You - very natural, relaxing, real organic sound - you simply sit there with a smile on you face and relax.  I hate to say it but I preferred it to the Arion 500's - from memory anyway.  Only one way to find out - put on the Arions.

 

Ok on they went.  Very nice smooth detailed type sound I had heard before.  But, to my ears it was outclassed by the Prima Luna - simply more natural and real sounding.  I did some very careful listening to Case Of You and a bit of distortion was noticed on the Arions that was absent on the Prima Luna.  We played it a few times - it was there.

 

There you have it - one fine amp.  Within its power rating it outclassed a state of the art digital.  And the levels you could get with that 13W was simply astonishing,

 

Next thing is to see how it goes against my Leak when it gets upgraded.

 

Thanks

Bill

I had the D2 about a year ago. Loan from a pal for about 3 weeks with a view to a discount purchase if I liked it. Bass was soft and a bit woolly. Midrange, especially in Triode mode was lush, but no more so that my modded NAD and the Nad was significantly better in the bass (negative output impedance at play here). Both were run thru my Lampi tube Dac so better synergy with the NAD, so I sent it packing. I expect that with very high sensitivity speakers they may have fared better. My speakers are about 90db.

 

The only other in house tube experience was with the Lampi GM70 Monoblocs a friend brought over. From memory, they were far better than the D2s for bass and more powerful too, even with the Graphite plated tubes. Copper plates are reputedly much better. http://www.monoandstereo.com/2013/09/lampizator-gm70-amplifier-test-review.html   (Ongaku for the masses) Supposedly you can adjust the bias to make them sound more tubey or more like SS.

 

How did the D2 (premium, I take it these may be an upgrade to the regular D2s) fare against the modded Leak? How about against Ayons, which are reputedly SS sounding?

 

Tubes amps are nice but a PITA. LoL. Give me great SS at a reasonable price for the low maintenance.

[wis97non]

sure are beautifully made very well put together amps thats for sure ! 

Heavy as hell!

[bhobba]

How did the D2 (premium, I take it these may be an upgrade to the regular D2s) fare against the modded Leak? How about against Ayons, which are reputedly SS sounding?

 

A comparison against the Leak may take place a bit later.

 

Never heard an Ayon.

 

The bass on the one I heard was amazing - the slam on Cassandra Wilson was - well - astonishing

 

Thanks

Bill

[bzr]

Bill, good stuff. A more sensible comparison would be the Line Magnetic gear, it too has huge bang for the buck & has many devoted followers for a very affordable product.

[bhobba]

Hi Guys

 

Great to hear these suggested comparisons.

 

Trouble is getting a hold of them to do it.

 

Anyone got one they can bring on over my way?

 

After New Year of course.

 

Thanks

Bill

[bhobba]

sure are beautifully made very well put together amps thats for sure ! 

 

Yea - that's the other thing - how do they do it for the dosh.

 

At about $3500.00 Australian it stood up to my $7K Arions - amazing.

 

Thanks

Bill

[wis97non]

Designed in Europe and made in China to very high standards.

[Demondes]

However they are not invincible. I had a bad kt88 winged C that took out the amp.

The service from distributor and retailer were fantastic they swapped the amp for a brand new one.

Model was the premium prologue integrated

Edited December 25, 2013 by Demondes

[peterr]

I have just taken delivery of a Dialogue Premium Pre Amplifier.   Very pleased.  Bargain at its price point.    'Am awaiting delivery of some Mullard, Amperex and RCA tubes.  Let the (tube rolling) games begin ! 

[Midori]

I have just taken delivery of a Dialogue Premium Pre Amplifier. Very pleased. Bargain at its price point. 'Am awaiting delivery of some Mullard, Amperex and RCA tubes. Let the (tube rolling) games begin !

And what power amp are you running this with?

[Darren69]

Coeuslee, I asked the local shop your question, haven't heard back yet, this time of year etc etc.

 

Maybe try someone at the importers, International Dynamics (sorry, would have put a link there but still having c&p issues).

 

Beware, there is some serious hi-fi porn there.

[peterr]

I am using an older Aragon 4004 MK II  (poor man's Krell)     Reputedly a Dan D'Agostino design.    The power amp is probably the next instalment of 'upgraditis' but the Aragon sounds sweet and muscular.    I suppose a Krell is in the offing.......

[Midori]

http://durobblog.com/2013/12/31/hello-2014-happy-new-year/

new model power amp coming up.

[bhobba]

For you Sterophile guys there is a review of this amp in the latest edition.

 

Thinks its one of the 4 or 5 best sounding amps he has ever heard - and the amps he listed eg the $32k Lamm - Oh my.

 

At the price of this thing - what a steal.

 

Almost a must audition I would say.

 

Thanks

Bill