Amplification question - PrimaLuna Tubes vs. McIntosh Solid State

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
6,356 posts
07-24-2017 7:44pm
If non critical listening and on for many hours would favor the McIntosh. If the scenario were serious 2 channel music listening I’d choose the Prima Luma.
Charles

I second this. I own a PL dialogue hp integrated. Amazing amp! But for a casual head turning Statement go to the Mac. If you’re looking for an unsurpassed listening experience go to the primaluna.

I came across this thread by accident and I decided to resuscitate it since I have been the happy owner of a Prima Luna DiaLogue One (the *non* "premium", original DiaLogue) for about 8 years now, and it just so happens that my dealer (who is also a good friend) allowed me the chance to bring home a McIntosh MA8900 for a test dive. I was curious to try a solid-state amp after so many years of living with tubes, and the Mc seemed like a flexible option. I do love the looks of the PrimaLuna, though!

My system consists of Sonus Faber Elipsa SE (or "Red") speakers, and Oppo 105, and Nordost cables. Most of my listening is via CD's or my own custom-made server (still using the DAC in the Oppo, but will try the one in the Mc next). I have a Pro-Ject 5.1 turntable with a Dynavector 10X5, but most of what I listen to these days is digital. 

Impossible to formulate an opinion as of this moment, since I have had the amp playing literally for just one hour, but I will make sure to post my impressions and findings in the days ahead.

One thing I did notice right away... Recently, I was getting a kind of noise coming from the tweeters when using the PrimaLuna. The best way I could describe this noise is the word "interference". A sound similar to what one normally experiences when a cell phone is placed close to a speaker and there is an incoming text message. But in this case, the intermittently "beeping" noise is almost constant. Not loud, mind you, but I can hear it and it bothers me to no end. Impossible to hear when playing music, but it can get distracting during silent passages. I am baffled by this, because the PrimaLuna has been exceptionally dependable and dead-silent as of today. I tried changing tubes (all of them), turning off my Wi-Fi router (not that it makes a difference, since I live in a condo and there are literally 10 other signals in the air 24/7), and no luck... 

With the solid-state amp, the noise is gone. Baffling! Even if I end up liking the Mc, I will not part with the PrimaLuna, because I love it so much. But I would like to find out why I am experiencing this issue... Any theories as to why this may be would be appreciated.

Hello beyondarkness,  I experienced the same noises as you when I received my PrimaLuna Prologue Premium Integrated amplifier.  I ended up running an extension cord (from an isolated circuit) to the PL unit and the noise disappeared.  I re-connected the PL to the mains in my HT room and the noise resurfaced. After further investigation I was able to determine the noise would only show up when I powered on my HTPC (with an SSD.)  I ended up installing a ground drop on the HTPC power connector and the issue was solved. Beautiful silence from the PL!

It seems that something was feeding back from the ground of the HTPC to the PL and manifesting as the annoying high pitched noise you describe. Dropping the ground from my HTPC took care of the problem.

I’ve owned both Tube (Primaluna) and McIntosh solid state.  If you go with a tube amp 8 hrs a day, your electric bill will go up. Mine went up 30 dollars a month. If you Do casual listening (not critical listening) the McIntosh will sound warmer and save you money.  The sound of a SS McIntosh is very detailed and just as good as a good tube amp. 

And then there is the Mc hybrid integrated. Tube pre and SS power amp. 
 

Just to confuse the issue a bit.