2. amps-preamps
  3. 163311-1457

Audio Research VT80SE amp vs Prima Luna EVO 400 or 300

It’s time to get a newer tube amp after years of happy listening to vintage mono tube amps- MFA M-120 to be precise. I will mate the new amp with my upgraded/updated MFA Luminescence preamp and power Sonus Faber Guarneri Homage speakers. The Lumi is deservedly a legend and has a fabulous phono stage, to boot.

I’ve read many reviews and comments about both the ARC and the Prima Luna gear but would greatly appreciate a response from folks who’ve had experience with either one or the other or preferably both.

My musical tastes are quite eclectic, but primarily "classical" and do not include heavy metal, nor much R+R or pop at this stage of my life. I’m partial to what some might call warm, romantic and "euphonic," and from what I know, Audio Research tends to be less "euphonic" than some other tube components. At the same time, I enjoy listening to subtle details that more syrupy components can obscure. Unfortunately, I cannot audition anything prior to purchase, neither in my home nor at a dealer.  After much experimentation, I am convinced that SF GH's LOVE tubes!

Thanks in advance. Stay safe. Be well.

PS
ps

Showing 5 responses by jjss49

jjss49's avatar
jjss49
6,612 posts
 

my 2 cents

if plenty of cool features, an excellent website, and value for $ is more important to a user than ultimate sound quality, primaluna offers a lot

otoh, audio research reference series is still superior for most applications when it comes to sound quality (somewhat to significantly superior, depending on speaker matching and system resolution)

primaluna has definitely taken a big bite out of arc’s business on the lower end of the tube amp market (as seen by arc, and as such under renew ownership they are trying to implement more convenience features etc etc), but this is largely a function of high and ever escalating prices of the arc gear - that said, arc’s sound quality remains unimpeachable, and a cut above

no affiliation to either arc or pl - but a current owner of amps from each maker

jjss49's avatar
jjss49
6,612 posts
 
Don't hesitate to try different 12AU7 tubes and their variants in the two front center positions on the integrated. They will change the sound characteristics more than any other tube swap.


i agree with this ^^^
jjss49's avatar
jjss49
6,612 posts
 
op

paragon is an excellent retailer... careful and trustworthy

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lisa776d-audio-research-vsi75-integrated-amplifier-silver-finish-open-box-tube

no affiliation, other than having been a past customer
jjss49's avatar
jjss49
6,612 posts
 
i would concur to what has been said regarding the ref 75

mine is not an SE version - i have higher efficiency speakers so do not need the extra drive of the kt150’s but in my system with the amp running kt120’s the sound is wonderful...

there is a cleanliness and utter purity to having just a pair of output tubes per side compared to four of them... i feel this has been true all the way back to the VT series where the smaller VT50-60 versions plays cleaner and purer (and for longer) than the larger brethren VT100/Ref110 models with double the output tubes

...of course you need to have speakers that can be driven properly with the available power of the smaller amps to benefit from this
jjss49's avatar
jjss49
6,612 posts
 
i have both arc and primaluna gear - not the specific models you mention, but recent and higher end models

arc will have more treble extension, specific imaging and see-thru nature of its sound... primaluna will have more midrange warmth and thickness through the bass, more romanticism
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