Primare R32 phono stage 😄

[carruthersesq]

Just took possession of a Primare R32 phono stage, it has replaced a Whest Two which in turn replaced a Trichord Dino 2 which replaced a Naim Stageline. All I can say is that the Primare is substantially more than the other phono amps I have owned, both physically and audibly.

There is so much air around the instruments and the voice is amazing. I'm hearing details I've never heard before. Oh and have I mentioned bass? There is more controlled bass than I have witnessed before in my system.

I'm over the moon with my new phono stage I've started to research the i32 with MM module to replace my Supernait2!!

[Gazjam]

Gorgeous bit of kit in black, serious gubbins inside too:
http://cdn.mos.techradar.com/Review%20images/Hi-Fi%20Choice/HFC%20345/HFC345.primare.r32-1200-80.jpg
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QY_9DqU45qE/TdJBfPEVwYI/AAAAAAAAALc/yWed37CLKyc/s1600/a33-2_inside.jpghttp://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x1qYMpZ6e6M/TdJBf8FfBMI/AAAAAAAAALo/tPo5S98OqIc/s1600/Primare-R32-back.jpg

[walpurgis]

A photo would be nice Steve. :)

[mikeyb]

I was seriously tempted to buy that one myself ;)

[carruthersesq]

A photo would be nice Steve. :)

Hi Geoff
If I get time during daylight hours tomorrow I'll take a photo and post it here.

[carruthersesq]

I was seriously tempted to buy that one myself ;)

Yes, I thought about it for a day or so whilst I read reviews/did research and I couldn't find a bad word about it anywhere so took the plunge.
There's also something rather satisfying about handling something so well built and solid like this. Sounding great as it does is just fab.

[Audio Al]

Im no expert but it looks like its built in two separate stages , Left and right with transformed / Capacitors etc , How would they keep a balance between the two ? or is something built into the circuits ? , Does look like a quality build :eyebrows:

[carruthersesq]

A photo would be nice Steve. :)

Here you go Geoff, sat proudly on the top shelf
http://i578.photobucket.com/albums/ss222/carruthersesq1/Henrys%20coffee%203%20of%203_zpsjzm777ly.jpg (http://s578.photobucket.com/user/carruthersesq1/media/Henrys%20coffee%203%20of%203_zpsjzm777ly.jpg.html)

[walpurgis]

Very nice. It's big! :)

[carruthersesq]

Very nice. It's big! :)

It's bloody massive and weighs a ton, well 9kg anyway. ��

[Frazeur1]

Note the middle picture of internals Post # 2 is actually an amplifier, not the phono stage. But still, the actual insides of the R32 do look nice, but a lot simpler!

[Spectral Morn]

Im no expert but it looks like its built in two separate stages , Left and right with transformed / Capacitors etc , How would they keep a balance between the two ? or is something built into the circuits ? , Does look like a quality build :eyebrows:

It does look like a dual differential circuit, but if so I would expect balanced out and maybe in as well.

Primare have been making great gear for many years, though personally I think the early designs had more visual interest than the more recent period.

[vinyljunky]

I use one of these Tim I demoed it against a musical fidelity vynl 1 it stomped all over that soundstage tight bass detail it has it all sublime:D

[Frazeur1]

I do think the Primare gear is often overlooked, great stuff. Good looks to boot in my opinion. I almost bought the I32/MM card a couple years ago, and thought about adding the R32 at a later date but other things got in the way. Stunning bit of gear really.

[Ants]

I have an Primare R32 phono stage as well - well made, looks great and most importantly sounds very good although my Icon audio PS3 Mk2 sounds different, better in some ways (valvey - warmth imaging and dimensionality better). The primare is very accurate but no forensic or thin sounding, nor bright/ lean. Bass is great. I like both for different reasons - I will end up setting up 2 turntables permanently - one solid state phono stage (primare), the other the valves (icon ) . The R32 is very very good value for money - it sounds great with a SUT feeding the MM stage......which I prefer over the MC stage.

Anthony

[eisenach]

I've got one, too. I'm very pleased with it. The only problem was finding a home for it, as, as has been said, it's rather big.

I've become a bit of a Primare fanboy recently, which is why my old Tag Mclaren gear is going. The pre32 with the MM30 streaming card is a joy. I've got MDR's classical station going as I type, wireless to the MM30. It's only MP3, but it sounds lovely.

The Primare journey started with a BD32 universal disc player. It's the best I've ever heard CD and it's no slouch with SACD either.

You might have guessed; I'm a convert !

[Ants]

Yes , its big (!)... but I think intentionally so - the chassis is separated into sections to shield the individual sections from the transformer - its waaaay on the other side of the electronics.
If i didn't have the chance to get a icon PS3 mk2 at 1/2 price brand new, I wouldn't have bought another phono stage like the Icon......
The R32 is very quiet..... its great piece of kit.

[skimminstones]

Looks a gorgeous bit of kit. I love my primare amp. If i had room to fit something that big id be looking into this as well