ARC VSi60 vs PrimaLuna Integrated Amps

My brother just alerted me to the fact that I confused my old ARC integrated with the new vsi60 integrated. Sorry for this mix-up. I must be going dotty and feel foolish. My comments on the Primaluna stand, but I have not listened to the new ARC.

Honestly there is no comparison I listened to 4 different tube amps with my speakers including Rouge, Conrad Johnson, Prima Luna, and ended up with the VSi60. The prima Luna dialogue is a fantastic amp and build quality is great as one would expect from any of these brands. The points made about tube rolling are valid and the auto bias circuitry is a phenomenal feature. In my system the VSi60 presented the most low level detail and the widest deepest soundstage with less coloration and more punch and precision on the bottom end. Some amps did some things better but overall nothing SS or Tube sounded quite like the ARC. These things are also system dependent. The best advice I can give you is make friends with your local dealers and listen to everything!

Anyone heard these with Focals? I have focal 1027Ss. I do not have the option of auditioning. From all the research I done it seems the VSI60 might be too "airy" and the PrimaLuna Prologue Premium might be a bit lacking in base? But, I can't find any reference to them with Focals. Any help with Focals or speakers similar sounding to Focals. Thanks!

This thread is old and it compares the old Primaluna model. The new one I'm looking at now. I bought an Ayon from a dealer here on audiogon and he told me on the phone he sells Primaluna and they break. I thought "that's not what everybody else says" but he is very convincing. I took the bait and the Ayon is OK but now I'm learning a few things.

This "Dealer" never sold Primaluna and flat out lied to me when he said he sold it. I don't have a dealer near me but there is a guy that bought a new model, the Dialogue Premium. A guy has one near me and I saw it and heard it at his house. He had an VSI75 and before that had a big VAC that was expensive and he says the Primaluna is the best he's ever had. He pointed out how low the noise is from the amp during quiet passages. It's another world.

I might get the HP but don't know if I need that as the $3400 one had a ton of power. Does anybody know if the HP is that much better?

If I were considering the Primaluna then I would give Kevin at Upscale a call. He can be a teeny bit of a "hard sell" sometimes but he really knows his stuff and he will treat you right. I bought a component from him once that got damaged in shipment and he took it back and replaced it for me to my satisfaction. You can call them up anytime and they will help you with any questions about your equipment purchased. No relation to Upscale other than a satisfied customer.