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RE: Primaluna integrated questions...

IME the preamp section in an integrated is the weakest part. I get the sense that some use a kind of passive preamp.

I can't use your amp as an example but it's helpful to make comparisons with companies that can actually let you make comparisons.

Example: Audio Note P3 power amp is a 300B power amp that has a volume knob. You can run one source into into it and it is a "get you by" integrated.

BUT you can also listen to the M2 Preamp and run them as separates and heard the rather substantial improvement it makes.

You can then also listen to the Meishu. The Meishu is an integrated amp that houses the P3 and M2 in a single chassis with separate power supplies and shares one power plug.

Now - as you point out the power amp appears to be extremely similar to the integrated. So what you would need to do is try the preamplifier that is the partner for the power amp and then compare that to the integrated.

But not all companies make equally good stuff. Awhile back I compared my old Line Magnetic 219IA to a Melody Valve Audio integrated and I prefer the LM. However when I compared the preamps and separates I preferred the melody Valve Audio. I greatly preferred the melody Valve audio preamp to the LM ones.

Now my old LM 219IA has preamp in so that the 219IA could be used as a power amp. The Melody 101 pre was dramatically superior - it lifted the amp significantly. This in spite of the fact that the LM's preamp never really gets out of the way.

Personally, I prefer what I have heard from Cary to what I have heard from Prima Luna.

You might want to try an Audio Note M1 preamp and P2SE power amp if you're looking for a more full-bodied presentation. The M1 is still relatively affordable. I am currently reviewing it and boy it's quite nice. I am running it into both Class D high power amps(200W+) and an 8 watt 2a3 and 12-watt EL84 amps.

In the end, I always prefer separates - with a good active preamp like the M1 you can then buy power as needed. It's in the $2,500 range. The Phono stage is excellent - an actual true tube phono stage, not some cheap off-the-shelf board.




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  • RE: Primaluna integrated questions... - RGA 01/10/2102:40:31 01/10/21 (0)

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