View Full Version : Playing with new toys :)
Just trying out a Primaluna Dialogue HP Integrated Amp. Full remote control, headphone out, Triode (40w) and Ultra Linear (70w) modes, using EL34 valves it can take KT88/120 or 150's all with auto biasing.
I've also just bought a 2M Black cartridge ( again ) to try it against my Zyx R100 Low Output cartridge set up using the SMARTractor device and with an Orsonic AV101 Headshell I can get it spot on.
I think I prefer the Black to the Zyx.
The Primaluna integrated is something else, best I've heard here, even my wife who likes to listen to music but isn't interested in HiFi says ( or is that shouts? ) just buy it as I pound out We Come One by Faithless at concert levels lol.
I've never driven my Tannoys to the max before but this amp just kicks ass and doesn't falter. I've never heard bass like I'm hearing right now, deep, with impact, and drive, brilliant midrange quality and crystal clear treble that really shines without being edgy or harsh. Epic!
I've tried Kraftwerk, Faithless, Eloy, Joan Baez, Johnny Cash, Hendrix, Deep Purple, Jean Michel Jarre and everything sounds great. The Black Sabbath EP The End converted to Flac and streamed via my SoTm SMS 200 NAA and Caiman SEG DAC sounds so visceral and hard hitting it just makes me grin from ear to ear.
Streaming Space Station Soma (128kbps), Blues Radio Athens (192kbps), Radio Paradise (320kbps) all sound fantastic, I can now understand why this amp gets all the rave reviews. I hadn't even heard of it until a few weeks ago, so a quick email to my local dealer and a home demo was organised, I've had it since Saturday so not fully run in yet so I expect more to come, mind you it will be going back before Christmas unless I can haggle a good deal, not that I don't think it's worth the retail price of £3398 but I hate to pay full retail for anything these days ;-)
Decisions to be made............
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171221/ad6eeec6cc6a8f8dea7985b2dd56e8fe.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171221/90057bb4416315652ecd2178518c846c.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171221/315165c490a50e5d780cba3744afa416.jpg
Audio Al
21-12-2017, 11:26
Mmm lots of valve lovelyness :eyebrows:
:christmas:
Bigman80
21-12-2017, 11:41
Seems like youre all sorted mate!
Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk
Mmm lots of valve lovelyness :eyebrows:
:christmas:The glow makes the room nice and Christmassy [emoji319][emoji4]
Seems like youre all sorted mate!
Sent from my EVA-L09 using TapatalkStill finding the decision to spend 3 grand or more on a new toy difficult, especially when you know there are good deals to be have buying used, but try and find one of these amps on the used market.
Plenty older models and pre/power combos, I can even buy the power amp or monoblocks from Europe at a great price but I'd still need a pre add that just adds another box and loses the headphone section which I've not tried yet but it's supposed to be fantastic too. Shop I've borrowed this from has the power amp version ex demo for sale at a decent price too.
I just need to get my best haggle face on, I might also take my wife in a nice outfit with me too, pretty sure she could have them eating out of the palm of her hand and get me a few hundred off lol
Well, needs must eh :lol:
im with the wife... just buy it and thats you for life
im with the wife... just buy it and thats you for lifeLol, you're both right of course. This is going to be my last amp, although I've still to have a tweak done to my speakers, but after that no more toys only sweeties to feed them all [emoji6]
Bigman80
21-12-2017, 12:07
Still finding the decision to spend 3 grand or more on a new toy difficult, especially when you know there are good deals to be have buying used, but try and find one of these amps on the used market.
Plenty older models and pre/power combos, I can even buy the power amp or monoblocks from Europe at a great price but I'd still need a pre add that just adds another box and loses the headphone section which I've not tried yet but it's supposed to be fantastic too. Shop I've borrowed this from has the power amp version ex demo for sale at a decent price too.
I just need to get my best haggle face on, I might also take my wife in a nice outfit with me too, pretty sure she could have them eating out of the palm of her hand and get me a few hundred off lol
Well, needs must eh [emoji38][emoji23][emoji23]
TBF you havent heard anything better, you've tried loads, it's the last big spend and best of all, it's been tested in your house, it's new and you'll have guarantee with the shop.
Put your money in that shops hand and move on to enjoying your new purchase.
I was shitting myself about buying the unheard SP10 but it's the best decision I made. Just get it done, it's only money [emoji6]
Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk
Audio Al
21-12-2017, 12:44
Lol, you're both right of course. This is going to be my last amp, although I've still to have a tweak done to my speakers, but after that no more toys only sweeties to feed them all [emoji6]
:lol::D
[emoji38]:DI promise it will be, if I'm buying new and I wanted to trade up or buy something else I'd lose so much money I just wouldn't do it. So if I buy this one out won't be going anywhere unless I get a major windfall or a lottery win.
If I bought the Primaluna secondhand then that would be a different matter. But I'm not prepared to lose hundreds of £'s for what for me anyway might be very little improvement [emoji6]
Nice amp. The 2M seems to work well with valve amps. I have heard lots of cartridges but still think the 2M is very good indeed and you would have to spend double to better it. I know other folk like a different approach with their cartridges but like you said your getting a hard hitting visceral sound which is what a lot of music actually sounds like.
. This is going to be my last amp, l [emoji6]
Ho Ho Ho
That's my other santa impression
Pigmy Pony
21-12-2017, 17:15
"Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten"
Seriously Mike, if you've found something that ticks all the boxes, (and it's a handsome feller too) I say go for it! The qualities you describe, when playing the kind of music I like, means I'm putting this on my list of possible amp changes for 2018. I bet it would work a treat sandwiched between my 2M black and My Zu Omen Defs.
ATB,
Ste
Ho Ho Ho
That's my other santa impressionBad [emoji318] [emoji23]
I'll be giving the shop a visit tomorrow [emoji6]
It's all lit up for Christmas [emoji4]
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171221/d550cc328b5df6462b153cf51c9575cf.jpg
RobbieGong
21-12-2017, 17:34
It's all lit up for Christmas [emoji4]
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171221/d550cc328b5df6462b153cf51c9575cf.jpg
and looking lurvvlly too :)
I'll tell you how good this amp is, I'm listening to a playlist on Spotify that includes One Direction, Enrique Inglesias, Alicia Keys, Little Mix etc etc and they all sound bloody good, never thought I'd say that, I hate chart stuff, but this amp makes it listenable [emoji33]
https://open.spotify.com/track/53QF56cjZA9RTuuMZDrSA6?si=Dsj0qRvhTqG39T8TXVJ8JQ
Pigmy Pony
21-12-2017, 17:42
All it needs is Julie Christie reclining on a rug in front of it
All it needs is Julie Christie reclining on a rug in front of itIt's funny you say that.........
It's funny you say that.........For some reason it won't let me post the photo [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]
For some reason it won't let me post the photo [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]
You might have to help her up from her reclining pose. She is 77 years old.
You might have to help her up from her reclining pose. She is 77 years old.I was talking about Mrs Christie who lives at No. 5 [emoji23]
Pigmy Pony
21-12-2017, 18:41
You might have to help her up from her reclining pose. She is 77 years old.
You've ruined it for me now. Ok then, Penny from "Big Bang Theory"
Not sure if Juno is that impressed [emoji23]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171222/a4fc6080affa8f72bbae2f5be84ff0d5.jpg
Oh, that's better, perhaps she prefers side 2 [emoji4]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171222/11e2c039e01c4f8ff08f7ea2acc29b9b.jpg
Bigman80
22-12-2017, 09:57
Oh, that's better, perhaps she prefers side 2 [emoji4]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171222/11e2c039e01c4f8ff08f7ea2acc29b9b.jpgThat amp looks great. There are loads of their range for sale used.
Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk
That amp looks great. There are loads of their range for sale used.
Sent from my EVA-L09 using TapatalkYip, watching a good few but none have the output of this HP version or a Headphone section. I can buy the non HP power amp ex demo for around £2000 but you lose the pre and the headphone out. I can also buy the series 5 power amp at under £1000 or the series 6 monoblocks for £1300 but again would need a pre and no headphone out.
So really the only one that ticks all the boxes is the one I have on loan, I haven't been able to find a used one anywhere.
I'm also not sure if I prefer it in silver and I know the shop doesn't have one in stock so if ordering one in for me they might be less keen to offer a decent discount. I've emailed to say I'll drop it back into the shop either later today or tomorrow so we'll see what reply I get, I would expect a phone call to do a deal to save getting it back.
They will need to offer a decent deal as I have a figure in my head I'm not keen to go over and with their markup I'm sure they can offer a decent discount to secure a deal [emoji4]
Bigman80
22-12-2017, 10:24
Yip, watching a good few but none have the output of this HP version or a Headphone section. I can buy the non HP power amp ex demo for around £2000 but you lose the pre and the headphone out. I can also buy the series 5 power amp at under £1000 or the series 6 monoblocks for £1300 but again would need a pre and no headphone out.
So really the only one that ticks all the boxes is the one I have on loan, I haven't been able to find a used one anywhere.
I'm also not sure if I prefer it in silver and I know the shop doesn't have one in stock so if ordering one in for me they might be less keen to offer a decent discount. I've emailed to say I'll drop it back into the shop either later today or tomorrow so we'll see what reply I get, I would expect a phone call to do a deal to save getting it back.
They will need to offer a decent deal as I have a figure in my head I'm not keen to go over and with their markup I'm sure they can offer a decent discount to secure a deal [emoji4]Lol, it's a very good looking unit. Does it have a phonostage in it?
Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk
Lol, it's a very good looking unit. Does it have a phonostage in it?
Sent from my EVA-L09 using TapatalkNo, you can add one but seemingly it's nothing special for £250
Bigman80
22-12-2017, 10:29
No, you can add one but seemingly it's nothing special for £250Ah I see. So you're still using the Vivant into the Prima.
You will getting a better result from the MM as you haven't had the mod yet have you.
Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk
Ah I see. So you're still using the Vivant into the Prima.
You will getting a better result from the MM as you haven't had the mod yet have you.
Sent from my EVA-L09 using TapatalkNo mod yet, will be sent off after the new year. So I'll hang onto my Zyx until after it returns. The idea of adding the internal phono board is a good one as it's one less box which with the space I have would be a bonus, but would it be good enough?
A few good mentions for it but nothing that says it's outstanding for the money.
Mind you I also have a hankering to try a Leben or a Luxman amp [emoji23]
walpurgis
22-12-2017, 10:53
And I've always fancied trying some Lavardin amplification with my Tannoys. Never got around to it though.
Audio Al
22-12-2017, 11:13
Juno looks well content and happy if it sounded crap Juno would be out of there :eek:
:christmas:
Juno looks well content and happy if it sounded crap Juno would be out of there :eek:
:christmas:[emoji4]
Well it's all packed back in its box ready to go back to the shop tomorrow.
Only realised when I was disconnecting it all that the interconnect they had left me was a 2m TQ Black Diamond. Now there's a nice cheap cable.
Never thought to check, if I'd noticed I would have tried the amp with one of my own cheap sets.
Now that the Primaluna ISN'T here I do notice a change in what I'm hearing. I suppose removing something from your system that had changed things is more noticeable once it's not there.
Think I'll be adding a few items for sale in the next few days [emoji6]
no deal then?No deal on the new one I borrowed, they did offer a deal on something else but that was coming in at £4450 lol.
Tempting but a bit too much, I could afford it but where do you stop [emoji23]
I've another idea that I'm working on, hopefully know more in a few days.
No deal on the new one I borrowed, they did offer a deal on something else but that was coming in at £4450 lol.
Tempting but a bit too much, I could afford it but where do you stop [emoji23]
I've another idea that I'm working on, hopefully know more in a few days.
it is ex demo.. bound to get a discount now;)
Ok so I bought the Primaluna Dialogue Premium HP Power Amp instead of the integrated, figured with the used price I was as well buying the Power Amp instead of the integrated, they're the same price retail, most will have seen it on my other thread but I thought I'd update here too. Ok I lose out on a pretty decent headphone section by all accounts, but I can listen via headphones plugged into my dac if I want to.
I've moved the amp up onto the top shelf so it can breathe, TT is now on bottom shelf, not ideal but I'd rather keep the amp cooler than its been and it's only temporary until I get a new stand/rack.
The last photo is a stock image of the internals.
Slight rejig of cables had lead to a slight improvement in audio quality from the TT.
This amp isn't going anywhere, with the ability to tube roll KT88, 120 and 150's all with autobias and auto protection it will keep it all nice simple for this toob noob [emoji6]
One step closer to final system, Pre Amp next ( one on its way next week ) and perhaps crossover upgrade for the Tannoys and that will be it.
https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Odds-and-Sods/i-Jsv2k54/0/71e574a4/M/IMG_20171231_105709332-M.jpg
https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Odds-and-Sods/i-KsDSrt7/0/7d4d64ed/M/IMG_20171231_105815665-M.jpg
https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Odds-and-Sods/i-PjPFJv8/0/fe2ae9bd/M/IMG_20171231_105751499-M.jpg
https://photos.smugmug.com/Other/Odds-and-Sods/i-TBkqTZS/0/a30217c9/M/download-M.jpg
I'm sitting about 9m away from my system listening to Space Station Soma ( stream ) and the sound is right beside me lol
Can't believe it sounds so good, amazing, if you've never heard a Primaluna Amp, do yourself a favour and try one. [emoji6] [emoji4]
Audio Al
31-12-2017, 15:07
14 valves mut be costly ? :eyebrows:
14 valves mut be costly ? :eyebrows:It will be, but when they do need replaced I won't care cos it sounds so bloody good [emoji16]
Audio Al
31-12-2017, 15:12
It will be, but when they do need replaced I won't care cos it sounds so bloody good [emoji16]
:eek: WHAT no tube rolling :eek:
walpurgis
31-12-2017, 15:15
Pre Amp next ( one on its way next week )
Wot yer got? :)
:eek: WHAT no tube rolling :eek:I have a wanted thread up right now [emoji6]
But not many people selling KT120's or 150's secondhand lol
But seemingly it's well worth rolling the two might 12au7's on the front, so that works be cheap enough. I have two CV4004 Mullards in the drawer but I don't think I use them as they are 12ax7?
I'll need to check [emoji6]
Wot yer got? :)Och just another piece of crap you dinnae rate lol
I should have bought that Sowter instead [emoji23]
walpurgis
31-12-2017, 15:32
Och just another piece of crap you dinnae rate lol
:rolleyes: You just don't listen! :D
:rolleyes: You just don't listen! :DLol, I bought it before you dissed it, hopefully it will be fine, only time will tell, it's only a stopgap anyway until I pick up the matching Primaluna Pre [emoji6]
Oh, that's better, perhaps she prefers side 2 [emoji4]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171222/11e2c039e01c4f8ff08f7ea2acc29b9b.jpg
Thats a beautiful mobile diffusor on the coach! :)
jandl100
31-12-2017, 16:18
Lol, I bought it before you dissed it, hopefully it will be fine, only time will tell, it's only a stopgap anyway until I pick up the matching Primaluna Pre [emoji6]
Tastes differ. If Geoff disses something, it goes onto my Want List. :lolsign:
wee tee cee
31-12-2017, 16:24
Mike delighted you have got there....enjoy yer tunes (that play list on spotify ffs man calm down).
walpurgis
31-12-2017, 16:28
Tastes differ. If Geoff disses something, it goes onto my Want List. :lolsign:
Oooh. I could mess things up real bad knowing that!:lol:
Tastes differ. If Geoff disses something, it goes onto my Want List. [emoji38]sign:Shhhh don't tell him our secret [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]
Oooh. I could mess things up real bad knowing that![emoji38][emoji33]
Thats a beautiful mobile diffusor on the coach! :)Lol, looks like she's really taking it all in [emoji4]
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