PrimaLuna Classic integrated amp any good?

RE: PrimaLuna Classic integrated amp any good?, posted on January 8, 2017 at 17:49:42
dirtyvinyl	look up the Prologue Ii reviews, since that's what it replaced. There all positive, all pretty much confirming it a good value for the money. A used Prologue II for 7-800 is an even better deal. I enjoyed mine for a few years. So much, I upgraded to the Dialogue HP..

RE: PrimaLuna Classic integrated amp any good?, posted on January 9, 2017 at 05:21:29
mjcmt Audiophile Posts: 1445 Location: NC Joined: November 29, 2004	Thanks for the information. I'll look into it as well.

RE: PrimaLuna Classic integrated amp any good?, posted on January 9, 2017 at 09:38:59
mcgjohn@yahoo.com Industry Professional Posts: 501 Location: Midwest Joined: February 5, 2008	would agree with dirtyvinyl, good value for the money, and even better with some upgrades, would plan on replacing the OEM chinese tubes with re-issue tungsols. If you want to go further upgrading the coupling caps makes a huge improvement in sonics, imaging and resolution. would just make sure 30-40 watts is enough power for the speakers you are using, hopefully 89db or higher eff.

RE: PrimaLuna Classic integrated amp any good?, posted on January 9, 2017 at 13:21:29

dirtyvinyl

Mcjohn-

Your comment regarding coupling caps caught my attention.

My Dialogue HP is long off warranty, and I've been curious what internal tweaks would make this fine amp even better. Is identifying these caps obvious WITHOUT a schematic?

And, is it a simple matter of identifying the value, and purchasing a high end cap, remove and replace?

I'm wondering if some critical parts were replaced with super premium pieces, would it elevate the HP even more? I am aware replacing parts doesn't automatically guarantee higher performance.

RE: PrimaLuna Classic integrated amp any good?, posted on January 9, 2017 at 15:34:50

mcgjohn@yahoo.com
Industry Professional

Posts: 501
Location: Midwest
Joined: February 5, 2008

yes, you can replace them. Not too difficult. The stock caps in the HP are solens. Quite a few options to upgrade from those. Also across the power supply are two .47 swellong caps, replace those as well with same value.

I used the Jupiter copper foil caps, which have a very organic sound to them.

would suggest you search out some of the ratings some folks have done on coupling caps, along with the ratings.

If you were located in the midwest, could show you how to do them.

but before you do anything would suggest you define to yourself what are you looking for in a cap? better detail, better focus, less warmth, etc.

I have 3 PLs, two dialogue prems and one prologue.

The other option that really benefits any of hte PL amps is to replace the plate and cathode resistors (stock are flame proof metal oxide) with MILLS wire wound. The amp will get quieter, lower noise floor, greater detail on decay notes, but will not change the tonality or brightness on the amp.

best

RE: PrimaLuna Classic integrated amp any good?, posted on January 9, 2017 at 19:26:54

dirtyvinyl

"but before you do anything would suggest you define to yourself what are you looking for in a cap? better detail, better focus, less warmth, etc."

Thanks for the insight. I'm not sure what I'd like to hear improved. In the context of my existing setup, I suppose I just expect a dramatic change, like a speaker upgrade? Guess that's asking too much. Can a few hundred bucks in parts equal a 5K speaker upgrade?

The HP certainly doesnt under perform in my simple setup. I use 2 sources primarily:tubed phono/MC cart and tubed FM. tuner. What I want out of any tweak is simply more of the "REAL" Also wondering with suggested upgrades, does it put the HP in the company of the VAC's,Ayon, Mc's...? I realize I'm not comparing apples to apples-those are all class A designs.

Maybe leave well enough alone.

Apologies for the thread hijack.

Amp/Preamp Asylum

PrimaLuna Classic integrated amp any good?

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