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PrimaLuna Upgrade Advice

V

vinyl_vibe

Member
Looking for some “input” on a possible upgrade to my integrated amp. First, some details on the current setup:

Nottingham Analogue Hyperspace with 12” Ace Space arm & Lyra Delos cart
whestTwo.2 phono
PrimaLuna Prologue Classic Integrated Amp
B&W 685s2

Of the above, I know the speakers are the weak link and these will be replaced in the near future but for reasons I won’t get into now, the possibility to upgrade the amp is the current concern. As speakers will definitely be a consideration here however I would mention I’m looking to audition Harbeth P3ESR and Focals (possibly Aria)


In terms of the amp upgrade I want to stick with PrimaLuna so am considering the new Evo line. It would either be the Evo 400 or Evo 300.

Anyone have any thoughts with regards to which might be better given the rest of the current setup and the likely path I’ll take on the speaker front? There's a considerable price difference between the two so it's about what the best balance would be in terms of cost vs performance in terms of what will serve me well in the near future and beyond.

Thanks
 
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Maybe just higher Sensitivity Speakers is your answer

If your B&Ws are like mine , CM5 , they bloom with higher power amps... Usually SS amps
 
I have 3 PL amps. the new evo series seems to be same circuits as the dialogue and prologue prem versions, with the EVO 400 having balanced outs.

If you are still planning on replacing the BnW spkrs and don't need more power, I would be inclined to upgrade the tubes in your current amp before buying another amp from the same family lines.

Try a set of the new Shuguang Western electric KT88 plus series in your amp. Will be a really nice improvement.

other option I would suggest on yr current amp or any of hte evo amps is to upgrade the coupling caps. Use Jupiter or Jensen copper foil caps. A really worthwhile upgrade.
 
Evo 400 is a preamp only, I believe, so not sure that’s what you intended. Looks like if you upgrade you’d need to go to the Evo 300 which is an integrated amp to replace your existing integrated amp. Is it really an upgrade though, is the question. For what it’s worth I didn’t care for the PrimaLuna dialog with Focal Aria speakers when I heard that combo. Seemed dark sounding to me with sloppy bass.
 
mcgjohn said:
I have 3 PL amps. the new evo series seems to be same circuits as the dialogue and prologue prem versions, with the EVO 400 having balanced outs.

If you are still planning on replacing the BnW spkrs and don't need more power, I would be inclined to upgrade the tubes in your current amp before buying another amp from the same family lines.

Try a set of the new Shuguang Western electric KT88 plus series in your amp. Will be a really nice improvement.

other option I would suggest on yr current amp or any of hte evo amps is to upgrade the coupling caps. Use Jupiter or Jensen copper foil caps. A really worthwhile upgrade.
Click to expand...

I don't think PL would like us to change out caps under warranty. Why buy another amp when you say your speakers are not what you want anymore? Im sure you heard this a million times. Tubes and horns (or more sensitive speakers) are the way to go, without busting your wallet, buy keeping your amp. I guess your not happy with the output of your system. I would call Upscale audio and talk to them about your question. If you want to keep PL products as your main amp, may I recommend the Klipsch Heritage series speakers. Weather you go with Klipsch or some other speaker manufacture, ALWAYS start with the speakers first, then tune the rest of your system to them.
 
mcgjohn said:
I have 3 PL amps. the new evo series seems to be same circuits as the dialogue and prologue prem versions, with the EVO 400 having balanced outs.

If you are still planning on replacing the BnW spkrs and don't need more power, I would be inclined to upgrade the tubes in your current amp before buying another amp from the same family lines.

Try a set of the new Shuguang Western electric KT88 plus series in your amp. Will be a really nice improvement.

other option I would suggest on yr current amp or any of hte evo amps is to upgrade the coupling caps. Use Jupiter or Jensen copper foil caps. A really worthwhile upgrade.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestions. What you’ve outlined makes sense but I am looking to upgrade the Classic to something that can support headphones and also am curious as to what the next model(s) offer over the Classic. If the circuits and features are essentially the same as the dialogues then I might consider looking for a Dialogue Premium HP.
 
kward said:
Evo 400 is a preamp only, I believe, so not sure that’s what you intended. Looks like if you upgrade you’d need to go to the Evo 300 which is an integrated amp to replace your existing integrated amp. Is it really an upgrade though, is the question. For what it’s worth I didn’t care for the PrimaLuna dialog with Focal Aria speakers when I heard that combo. Seemed dark sounding to me with sloppy bass.
Click to expand...

The Evo 400 is an integrated amp.
 
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