View Full Version : Prima Luna
Haselsh1
05-11-2016, 17:04
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab240/Haselsh1/Prima%20Luna%20Power%20V2%20AOS_zps0ydgmqfm.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/Haselsh1/media/Prima%20Luna%20Power%20V2%20AOS_zps0ydgmqfm.jpg.ht ml)
OK, so I weakened yet again and bought a secondhand Prima Luna preamp with built in phono stage and also a brand new Prima Luna Dialogue Premium power amp. This was in place of a Croft pre/power setup with which I will always have issues.
So, changing over from a Samson Servo 600 studio power unit, the first and most obvious difference is the sheer clarity and purity of the sound. The treble has air and sparkle and the midrange has a stunning liquid sound to it. The bass is OK but lacks grip and authority.
My favourite valve has always been the EL34 for its mid and treble. I readily accept its limitations in the bass. My jazz albums sound stunning my electronic music sounds good. So far so good.
Thats very pretty Shaun. Sure you will get used to the bass being different.
Do please be aware of the tone control effect of this amp into any speaker with half a crossover... You may well love it deeply, but your speakers won't sound as intended by their designer... (see reviews in Stereophile for evidence).
southall-1998
05-11-2016, 18:06
Do please be aware of the tone control effect of this amp into any speaker with half a crossover... You may well love it deeply, but your speakers won't sound as intended by their designer... (see reviews in Stereophile for evidence).
So bloody what, Dave!
S.
southall-1998
05-11-2016, 18:51
PM sent Shane.
??
S.
Do please be aware of the tone control effect of this amp into any speaker with half a crossover... You may well love it deeply, but your speakers won't sound as intended by their designer... (see reviews in Stereophile for evidence).
Just read the review and the guy said he couldn't find fault with it, a glowing review if there ever was one.
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab240/Haselsh1/Prima%20Luna%20Power%20V2%20AOS_zps0ydgmqfm.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/Haselsh1/media/Prima%20Luna%20Power%20V2%20AOS_zps0ydgmqfm.jpg.ht ml)
OK, so I weakened yet again and bought a secondhand Prima Luna preamp with built in phono stage and also a brand new Prima Luna Dialogue Premium power amp. This was in place of a Croft pre/power setup with which I will always have issues.
So, changing over from a Samson Servo 600 studio power unit, the first and most obvious difference is the sheer clarity and purity of the sound. The treble has air and sparkle and the midrange has a stunning liquid sound to it. The bass is OK but lacks grip and authority.
My favourite valve has always been the EL34 for its mid and treble. I readily accept its limitations in the bass. My jazz albums sound stunning my electronic music sounds good. So far so good.
Lovely Shaun. Regarding the bass, if you're not already doing so, try the 4 ohm taps.
Haselsh1
05-11-2016, 20:24
Yes John, I always use the four Ohm tap with ordinary loudspeakers unless they truly are above eight Ohms. Just like to add that I haven't heard it with vinyl yet but hopefully there will be time for a really good analysis. With CD though, the stereo image is not as wide and cavernous as it was with the Samson but then these valves have around three hours on them. Also, I am currently using Mark Grant 4mm VDC cables which I am still not totally sure about. The jury is still out on these. I have tried triode and ultralinear mode which has simply left me wondering why the hell offer triode mode...? What the hell does it achieve...? Ultralinear offers air and sparkle, power and drive and also a good deal of energy. No contest methinks.
Yea, best give it a couple of weeks to run everything in, valves, caps etc.
Is triode mode sweeter on acoustic stuff?
Can often depend on which mode has had the major design and thought in it as to which will likely be better. If its mainly thought of as ul then it would probably sound best there etc.
Audio Al
05-11-2016, 21:56
Lovely looking item , Quality
Reminds me of a old electric fire my nan had :)
southall-1998
05-11-2016, 21:58
I'd like to warm my size 11 feet over it :D
S.
walpurgis
05-11-2016, 22:05
Well that makes my approximately 5 1/2 sized feet half the size of your plates of meat Shane. ;)
southall-1998
05-11-2016, 22:08
Well that makes my approximately 5 1/2 sized feet half the size of your plates of meat Shane. ;)
Hush your mouth ole chap! My feet resemble two scrumptious Cornish pasties :lol:
S.
Haselsh1
06-11-2016, 08:08
Hush your mouth ole chap! My feet resemble two scrumptious Cornish pasties :lol:
S.
Hmmm... bloody love Cornish Pasties old chap but not sure about your scabby old feet ;)
By the way, never actually been to Cornwall...! Never actually been to Devon...! Love Somerset though :)
Haselsh1
06-11-2016, 08:10
Yeah, can imagine that triode mode would be good for acoustic music as it has more atmosphere and more acoustic. On the majority of music though it just sounds flat and lacking in dynamic (a bit like me at work unless I get a payrise).
Haselsh1
06-11-2016, 08:12
Seriously thinking of trying a stereo pair of Van Den Hul biwired CS122 loudspeaker cables now. Think they may be called Teatrack or something as ridiculous. Two metre stereo pair should be OK.
Have you tried KT88s in it?
Haselsh1
06-11-2016, 09:44
Have you tried KT88s in it?
John mate, I am quite a purist at heart and I love the 'old' style valves over the 'new' style valves. My all time favourite valve has always been the EL34 but only for its midrange however I love the 300B in single ended mode also. With time, I may well try out other power valves but only for their sound and not power capability.
One thing I must add is that the power amp comes with a mini, slender extruded aluminium remote control which is used for switching between triode and ultralinear mode. When first used it actually doesn't work. After taking it to bits you find out that the bastards haven't even fitted a battery to it. So, having sourced a CR2032 battery I then got to try out the two modes. Not bloody good enough methinks.
southall-1998
06-11-2016, 14:55
Brrr....My arse is frozen stiff!!
Shaun, may I come over, and lean my ''behind'' over the Prima Luna please?
:D
S.
Not getting a battery is probably more to do with restrictions on flying Li-Ion batteries due to explosion risk.
Seems nuts but probably why and dealer likely unaware.
Haselsh1
06-11-2016, 15:51
Not getting a battery is probably more to do with restrictions on flying Li-Ion batteries due to explosion risk.
Seems nuts but probably why and dealer likely unaware.
Yeah, point taken
:scratch:
Haselsh1
07-11-2016, 19:06
OK, tried this out again last night with Talvin Singh's 'OK' cd. Stunning bass extension when asked for, nice midrange and gorgeously sharp and liquid clear treble. Comparison with the Samson Servo 600, coarse, grainy treble, stunning stereo effect and massive grip over the bass. The Prima Luna is a very big step up in exposing hidden layers and detail but some of these extra features are quite well camouflaged. This amplifier kind of teaches you to look deeper into the overall sound. Is it worth an extra two grand...? Not sure but I am happy that I bought it.
southall-1998
07-11-2016, 23:32
Shaun, my right foot is cold again ;)
S.
Haselsh1
13-11-2016, 04:02
http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/ab240/Haselsh1/Prima%20Luna%20Preamp%20AOS_zpszittbx3u.jpg (http://s867.photobucket.com/user/Haselsh1/media/Prima%20Luna%20Preamp%20AOS_zpszittbx3u.jpg.html)
A quick shot of the Prima Luna preamp. Well, the valves at least.
southall-1998
13-11-2016, 16:42
Looks nice, Shaun.
S.
brian2957
13-11-2016, 17:22
Beautiful amp Shaun , sounds like it's growing on you :)
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