I’ve got an old Adcom pre and power now. It makes sound, but not music. I’m willing to wait until the Belles comes out. Only problem is, I’m in western Canada, and there’s no Belles dealer anywhere out here. I can order it, but can’t audition. The PrimaLuna I can get locally. The PL is around 6k, and the Belles will probably be around 8500-9k. I’m willling to spend the extra if the Belles is going to be worth it. Any experience with one or both of these companies? |
The Mldwright upgrade was one of the reasons I bought the Oppo. I like the idea of valves, and am also thinking the PL would be a good option to be be able to roll a little. I think it would be a good place to start. The Belles I’m thinking is going to sound a little relaxed in the middle, and still have punch on top and bottom. Besides, it’s got meters. Not another boring, black box.
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jond, am I making a good choice with going with PrimaLuna? Whatever I choose, reliability is a very close second to SQ. What’s the point in owning something I never get to listen to, if it’s always in the shop? |
@jond , the PTP wiring is one of the selling points for me. My local HiFi shop also sells Rogue, and I’m not into it because of the PCB. If a guy wants to roll, the more you twist and turn, the higher the chance of cracking the board. I’ve also read that because of the auto bias(catch 22), you don’t get as much of the tube ‘flavour’ from tube to tube. But, it makes it very easy to own because of it.
@blues41, I’ve considered that option, I’m sure the SQ is very good, but the thought of adding 3 boxes, the HEAT it will produce, and the expense of rolling 20-25 tubes just isn’t realistic for me. I’m trying to not only increase SQ, but to simplify things. Decisions. |
I just don’t want to vomit to something, and be left wanting. I know that’s part of this hobby, I just don’t want to be stuck on the ‘wish I would have bought that instead’ train. The idea of being able to ‘tune’ the sound with a tune amp really appeals to me. I know the Belles is supposed to be David Belles best work yet. Dual mono, balanced inputs, good quality preamp section, doubles down perfectly (200w-400w), and high quality parts all throughout. Is this going to be his piece that competes with others in the 15-20k range? And, it has METERS.... |
Guess I should spell check. That should read ‘don’t want to commit to something’. |
I’ve considered the option of adding a buffer between source and amp. Seems like a viable option.
Ive always lusted after ‘the tube sound’, and am finally at a point where my kids are old enough, and I’m ready for a change. My Adcom gear will be going to my shop with a pair of old Kef Q300 I have laying around. I am really leaning towards the PL. I’ve looked at other offerings from Line Magnetic(219ia), Atmos-Phere, Ayon, etc. The PL just strikes me as an easy way into tubes. |
For the people that own PL stuff, How big is the difference in SQ going from the PL Dialogue premium HP integrated, to the Dialogue preamp, and the Dialogue HP amp? I’m worried that the preamp section of the integrated isn’t going to be as ‘revealing ‘. I’m just speculating, as I have no experience comparing the 2. |
@austinbob , this is something else I have to take into consideration. I’m not a ‘just one song’ kind of person. I usually listen to music in the evenings, and weekends. I own 2 small businesses, and at times, I leave the house at 5-5:30 in the morning, and am not getting home until 8-10 at night. However, my wife runs the office portion of our businesses, and is home all the time. Often I will come home, and she is listening to music. I sometimes will sit down with a book, and listen to music in the background (when I have time). If I do go with a tube amp, I need something she can run aswell. PL seems to fit the bill for this. I’m still really curious about the Belles Virtuoso for a SS though. Looks super cool, will the SQ fit into that category aswell? I guess I’ll have to wait 1-2 months until it’s release, and see what others think. |
I’ve listened to the new Anthem STR, and both myself, and the audio shop guys agreed, it doesn’t sound as good as the 225. I’m going to wait until the Belles comes out, and make my decision then. Thank you everyone for all your responses. |
@facten why the 518ia over the 219a? And I’ve been looking at the Finale website, they look like they make some great gear. |
@facten the only problem I see with LM, I can only source it from one dealer out of Montreal. The PL I can get locally,(dealer in town), and the Belles I have to order aswell (being offered a sweet deal out of Toronto). The Belles can be serviced in Vancouver if need be (3 hrs away). I’m leaning towards the PL, HOWEVER, something tells me to wait for the Belles. I’m not sure why, I HAVE TO HEAR THE BELLES..... I’m planning on adding a pair of either Funk Audio subs, or, a pair of REL’s.... just like everyone here, my wife thinks I’m crazy.... I’m still looking for other possibilities. This hobby is going to be the death of me..... |
@msommers that I did not know. You are obviously from Canada aswell. I lived in Victoria for almost 20 years. I will have to give them a call. I would really like to pack up my FUNK’s, and go on a little road trip.... |
@recroom that’s what I was waiting to hear about the Belles product. I did some digging, and have found out that the new Virtuoso is going be the best piece David Belles has ever done, integrated/stereo/mono’s.... he’s apparently been obsessed with ‘putting it together right’. It was the suggestion of a long time friend of his to even put meters on. It will be true dual mono, great pre section, balanced in, unreal vol. control, doubles down perfectly from 200w-400w, and a full featured QUALITY remote. There are some other things I was asked not to mention..... yet...... I was also asked not to divulge my source.... I’m going to buy it, AND, either the LM, or the PL, and do a head to head, tube vs SS..... I will make my decision then..... the only way to truly know, is in my listening room, with my gear... when this guy gives me the go ahead, I will share more.
J. |
@kclone what I’ve been told, they are shooting for late March. But, then he also told me it’s ‘TBA’.... |
I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m going to buy both the Belles Virtuoso, and the Primaluna Dialogue Premium HP Integrated. I own 3 pairs of stand mount speakers. That way, I can play with the sound. I will run one in my listening room, and one in my bedroom. When I get tired of the sound, I can switch it up. I think if I don’t do it now, I will never do it. I’m going to move my Adcom gear to my shop. At least I can have something there.....
J. |
