Prima Luna - The heart of my system

[Haselsh1]

Yeah Steve that's more or less what I've found. But that's also what I've found with most valve amps and definitely the ones I've owned. The speakers play a large part though because using the mini monitors that I am currently using restricts the size and scale of the sound when compared to big floorstanders which I think are essential for the likes of Floyd and ELP. This then comes on to the size of the room and the part it plays. Way to many variables for me.

At the moment I have a system that sounds bloody amazing with female and male vocals as long as the music is fairly 'simple'. If things get a bit 'rough' then it does all fall to bits. The Beverley Knight album 'Soulsville' sounds absolutely stunning but even that requires the addition of the sub to increase the scale of the sound that is so clearly missing using mini monitors. For about 85% of my music I have the best solution I am ever going to have. Nothing is perfect and nothing fits every eventuality. Jack of all trades, master of none I guess.

[Haselsh1]

How the hell could I forget...? Before the Prima Luna Prologue 3 preamp I was using a Croft Micro Basic. So with that in mind, the Prima Luna was a huge step upward.

[Floyddroid]

Yeah Steve that's more or less what I've found. But that's also what I've found with most valve amps and definitely the ones I've owned. The speakers play a large part though because using the mini monitors that I am currently using restricts the size and scale of the sound when compared to big floorstanders which I think are essential for the likes of Floyd and ELP. This then comes on to the size of the room and the part it plays. Way to many variables for me.

At the moment I have a system that sounds bloody amazing with female and male vocals as long as the music is fairly 'simple'. If things get a bit 'rough' then it does all fall to bits. The Beverley Knight album 'Soulsville' sounds absolutely stunning but even that requires the addition of the sub to increase the scale of the sound that is so clearly missing using mini monitors. For about 85% of my music I have the best solution I am ever going to have. Nothing is perfect and nothing fits every eventuality. Jack of all trades, master of none I guess.

I would agree with you. One notable exception would be Beard.

[Haselsh1]

I remember back around 1996 hearing a Tube Technology Synergy power amp and that was contrary to what I have said also. Can't remember the speakers at the time though. It was some hi-fi show somewhere in the depths of England.

[shadowphax]

I finally pulled the trigger on a valve amp at the Wam Hifi show and bought a Prima Luna Prologue One at the 'bring-and-buy' area.

I really didn't know what to expect compared to my Musical Fidelity A300 and Lentek Integrated. Both have quite some drive, especially the A300 given it can supply 250 watts into my 4 ohm Celestion A3's.

How did the 35 watt Prima Luna Prologue One sound?

Absolutely fantastic!

A walk-in soundstage with everything placed in a 3D soundscape and quite some drive. Doesn't sound like it's only 35 watts.

Sometimes I miss the 'speed' of the other solid state amps, but not very often, and a change back to the solid state amps soon has me missing that valve magic.

Been playing around with valve rolling but just for fun rather than to gain any huge improvements.

I guess the high efficiency of the Celestion A3's mean they don't need a lot of power as long as the amp can work OK into 4 ohms.

[Haselsh1]

I finally pulled the trigger on a valve amp at the Wam Hifi show and bought a Prima Luna Prologue One at the 'bring-and-buy' area.

I really didn't know what to expect compared to my Musical Fidelity A300 and Lentek Integrated. Both have quite some drive, especially the A300 given it can supply 250 watts into my 4 ohm Celestion A3's.

How did the 35 watt Prima Luna Prologue One sound?

Absolutely fantastic!

A walk-in soundstage with everything placed in a 3D soundscape and quite some drive. Doesn't sound like it's only 35 watts.

Sometimes I miss the 'speed' of the other solid state amps, but not very often, and a change back to the solid state amps soon has me missing that valve magic.

Been playing around with valve rolling but just for fun rather than to gain any huge improvements.

I guess the high efficiency of the Celestion A3's mean they don't need a lot of power as long as the amp can work OK into 4 ohms.

Brilliant, well done Graham. It is the size of the stereo image that astounds me with my setup. Very best wishes.