PrimaLuna Amplifier Owners Thread

Yes, I am realising as I have continued to progress my system, and hob-nob with some wealthier types, that they either have multiple systems or multiple pre & amplifier types to swap in and out.

It's partly what put me onto trying Digital with Valves and their success with those kind of combinations has again highlighted that vinyl does seem to be very much in danger of falling by the wayside. Not here, as I'm addicted to the black plastic discs, but the sound I was getting last night has only been equalled by vinyl in my system. I'd have sworn blind that the DAC had been changed lol

I am definitely now going to probably look into developing the Digital side a little more.

Unless they do a Power amp, they won't be on my radar.

I'll have a look through the range

I'm not sure it is Dave,

I have a plan.......that plan looks like it may be a custom made Valve buffer to put between the PecanPi and the preamp.

It could be the answer to an "all in one" solution as the 686 on the vinyl with the valve phono make sweet sweet music

We will see

No, it makes absolute sense...too clean and it became less effective at providing the effect it went in for.

I had one here for a bit...I remember it being quite effective too. Hence the reasoning of using one now.

This one will be fully valve though, no wall warts.

PrimaLuna KT88, TAD 12AX/AU7

Managed a couple of hours of this combo over the weekend and I think it's my preferred combo. Well, I know it is.

The KT88 seem less constricted with the TAD valves in play, which says to me that the issue is/was the PL input valves. I have a pair of Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 on the way for a brief trial which is very nice. This should give me an idea of where the TAD sit in the valve world, or the GL for that matter.

Lots of offers of valves to loan and try, which I hadn't expected to be honest. Especially as I only posted about the amp here (AA) and yet the offers are coming from members of multiple forums. Surely then they are reading the Audio Addicts Forum!....SIGN UP! lol

So yes, the KT88 have a tighter, cleaner sound but I think the TAD compliment are responsible for bringing the 3D image that I have found so addictive over the last few days.

Ocean Colour Scene's - "Here in my Heart" gave me chills....it was unlike I have heard it before. So much emotion came from the recording. Obviously, the valve effect has exactly this effect on most material, but it's so addictive and yes, I am happy to say that I have completely forgotten about forensic listening and have just been playing music for the enjoyment of the music itself.

The PL5 gets under your skin and this valve combo is probably a great compromise of all the combinations I have tried.

The wife and I sat in the listening room for an hour or two over the past week or so, chatting about various married life subjects. Obviously the music is playing at quite a low level to do this, yet I notice her foot tapping on a couple of occasions and point it out. She just laughs and says "well it sounds good doesn't it?"

Yes, it sounds good.

I didn't like TAD that much they lasted less a week in my system. I've not experimented with 6550 I love tung sol valves. I really rate their 6sl7gt variants. I've been thinking about a quad of new replica 6550s for some time. I'd probably be trying those next in my amp.

Hey, no, it wasn't a heavy handed hint!

Thanks a lot, but it's not the right time for that for me atm.

I guess in a few months time the PL5 will come off the spares shelf... and I might drop you a line then!

Just plumbed these in......



Crikey....they have some bottom end on them. The bloody doors are rattling lol.

However, that's not uncommon here and a couple of notches back on the Preamp and it's far more controlled. Truth be told, I think the gain may be a bit higher with them.

So, sonically they are bloody marvelous. Polar opposite of that ultralinear Tung-Sol 12AX7 Sound. They are rich, full bodied and superbly textured.... these are right up my alley.

Thicker around the midband and one might say they have less HF extension but they'd be wrong, they are just fatter sounding. Very detailed though. No mush, mud or smearing.

Construction wise, these are thick glass. Very heavy in comparison to the GE valve and they make the TAD feel very lightweight in the hand. They are also slightly bigger.

More listening to come but so far, these are very good. I paid £50 for 2, which in this age of valve prices seems like a bargain.

These are only initial impressions, so my feelings may change.

Hahahaha *miss them!

I don't think the GL are quite as holographic at the minute, but they are brand new so they need a bit of time to open up I think.

Hahahah, isn't it!

Yes, I was wondering about that.

Although according to another thread here, £1700 is a bargain for a used, built Neurochrome and my PL5 with great valves was more than £1k cheaper than that.

'S'gotta be a great value!

Well, I went for the EL34 valves and for me, they do what Jerry says and sit somewhere right in the middle of the KT88 and KT120, but i must admit to preferring either the 120's or the 88's. A nicely presented sound but i pined for the 88's.

I decided to return to base and plumb the PrimaLuna valves back in. Currently listening to the PLKT88', PL12AU7/AX7

Rather unsurprisingly, that constricted feel came back but after about 30 mins or so, the sound did open out a little. So far, the Gold Lion 12AX7, TAD12AU7 and PL KT88 has been the combination i have enjoyed the most i think. Although i would happily fill this amp with TAD valves and not worry about it at all.

jandl100 let me know where to return your valves to, and i'll get them back to you next week. I must admit, the fear of breaking one of these beauties had loomed over me lol.

I am super grateful for the loan. It's been enlightening.

Are you forgetting about my Neurochrome 686???

The 120 I heard wasn't at all bright, but I suspect it needs a decent source as second rate sources may well make it 'flat' and uninspiring. Loads of 3-D too and so musical/tuneful.. My dealer pal feels the Rega Aethos has more beef to it but I don't need that here and as listening was secondary to my being there for work, I wasn't able to do any box swapping. Fascinating afternoon and very enjoyable as I thought I'd forgotten what a good sound was. (The new Harbeth XD's are also very much improved over previous incarnations having lost the murky over-safe tones they used to have, but that's not for here or this thread). So many domestic 'porty' speakers just boom away and sound off at low frequencies, so an amp able to tame or control it is a good thing I feel. I like kick drums to KICK, not wallow around uncontrollably and sadly, not everyone can accommodate large dominating speakers with a naturally low distortion and taut bass as I suspect Jerry's speakers have.