Prima Luna EVO series amps/preamps now available...

I purchased a pair of the Evo 400 Power Amps and the Evo 400 Preamp last week. They are delivered and sitting downstairs but I have not heard them yet because I'm waiting for other equipment to arrive. The local distributor has the Evo's installed as well, and he told me via phone that there is a strong improvement in sound quality over the Dialogue series. I can't personally confirm this, as I have not heard them, and I never heard the Dialogue series either. But I can confirm that the amps look amazing and the build quality is the best I have ever seen in any amplifier. For me they replace an ARC VT100 original model which died a few weeks ago which I have owned since its release, and an ARC Reference 2 preamp which I still use. I also own Coincident Reference line and phono preamps which I rarely use although they are very good. When my other equipment arrives in about 10 days, I will report on the sound of the Evos if anyone is interested.

Here's a nice shot of the silver Evo 400 power amp, and one of the black Evo 400 preamp, showing the exterior finishes. I guess these are similar to the older PrimaLuna amps, though I have not seen them.

http://www.g45central.com/posts/PrimaLuna/PL22.jpg
http://www.g45central.com/posts/PrimaLuna/PL16.jpg

"You’re gonna have a rockin system, assuming their hooked up to some equally competent speakers. "

Thank you tablejockey. I have some excellent speakers shown below which should make evaluating the P/L Evo amps easy enough. In the picture you will see a black and a silver P/L Evo 400. The distributor only had one of each but he will swap to all silver faceplates when more stock arrives. Same with Evo 400 preamp.

The equipment I’m waiting for is a Kuzma Stabi M turntable, Thales Statement arm, Lyra Etna SL cartridge and all Synergistic Research Galileo SX power cables, interconnects and speaker cables as well as PowerCell 12 UEF SE and Active grounding block. So there should be nothing holding the Evos back, hopefully.
My main interest is making vinyl transfers to digital, which explains the heavy emphasis on turntable and phono stages rather than power amps etc. I went with PrimaLuna because of the build quality and value for money. I’m very happy about the XLR inputs on the new Evo gear. I also have Nordost Odin XLR interconnects which I will be able to use now.

http://www.g45central.com/posts/PrimaLuna1.jpg
http://www.g45central.com/posts/PrimaLuna2.jpg

I know what you mean about the looks, especially the rounded cage. However once you see it and feel it in real life, you kind of get a new perspective and respect for the look and feel. It's incredibly heavy for its size, and the finish is very luxurious to the touch. I've come round to it and find it aesthetically very pleasing overall.

Thanks again tablejockey. I hope the new system will make great mono and stereo transfers when it's set up properly. Currently I can only do mono transfers, which is ok because a lot of my records are mono. 
I deleted my comments about Mapleshade because they strayed too far off topic. in another thread I could describe my method for improving the maple slabs.
I'm sure the PrimaLuna Evo gear will sound fantastic. I will share my findings with you, within 2 weeks if all goes well.

CLXs are not direct from the Ref. 2 of course - they will be powered by the PrimaLunas.

Thanks tuberist. I'm glad to hear you are pleased with the PL Dialogue. I imagine the new Evo will sound like a very close relative, since there's not much different under the hood.

tablejockey - 
The speakers are Martin Logan CLX electrostatics, and the powered sub is a JL Audio Gotham. I have owned them since about 2010, and they are a great match. I don't need to use a crossover at all, I just feed the sub and CLXs direct from the Audio Research Ref. 2 which has 2 pairs of XLR outputs. That's why I don't use the Coincident line stage preamp, because it only has one pair of XLR outputs, and my best cables are all XLR. I don't use the Coincident phono stage because I like to use unshielded cable from the tonearm, and the Coincident can't handle that, being all tube. So I now use the Moon 810 LP solid state phono preamp which is on the maple block. Everything is fitted with Ayra Revopod isolation feet.

Huge Thumbs up to the PrimaLuna Evo 400 amps and Evo 400 preamp. I wish I could give a comparison review with the earlier models, but I never owned or heard PL gear until now. The PL amps seemingly have nothing lacking even with only 100 hours burn-in. I tested the Hana ML cartridge against the Lyra Etna SL, and the PrimaLunas let me hear instantly the differences between those cartridges. The Hana ML sounds spremely balanced at all frequencies and has amazing dynamic slam. But the Etna matches those qualities and adds unbelievable low level detail retrieval. I truly believe lesser amps woud not have allowed me to hear that additional low level detail. They are stunning amps, and for the price I'm more than satisfied. Instead of rambling on, I'll offer to try to answer any questions if anyone has any.

Equipment used - Kuzma Stabi M tt, Kuzma 4-point 9 tonearm, Lyra Etna mono and stereo cartridges, Hana ML cartridge, Moon 810LP phono stage, 2 x PL Evo 400 used as monoblocks, PL Evo 400 preamp, 9 x Synergistic Research Galileo SX power cables, SR PowerCell 12 UEF SE, SR Active Ground Block, SR Gallileo SX interconnects and speaker cable, Martin Logan CLX speakers, JL Audio Gotham sub, Furutech SK-Filter.

I am just using the stock tubes that come with the Evo 400 preamps and amps. I have not noticed any sibilance, but I will keep your advice in mind if I do notice any.


I would love to hear the PL amps with better wire from the transformers to the power tubes. Now that would be one way PL could make a massive improvement in sound quality. In fact, it's the only way I can imagine these beautiful sounding amps being greatly improved. Van den Hul SCS-12 wire (or SCS-16 at a pinch) would do the trick! Please PrimaLuna?

The Prima Lunas (and I'm sure the Etna has more than a little to do with it) are exposing extremly subtle details in my favourite recordings. In one track that I've played hundreds of times in the past, there is tremolo on the rhythm guitar that I could not hear before. Extremely subtle, shimmering dynamics now fully revealed which were previously lost in the haze. The PL Evos are very seriously good. I'm comparing to my previous Audio Research gear (D250, VT100, SP10). In comparison, the PrimaLunas get right out of the way and you're generally listening to the source, and forgetting the amps. 

curio -

I could not be happier with the Evo 400 preamp. The 400 power amps as well. The choice of balanced / unbalanced inputs and outputs is great to have. The sound I’m getting is ultra-realistic and full bodied.

I am using expensive power cables and interconnects, and I have applied my favourite tweeks to the PL chassis and connections (well documented by me in several of my recent posts). I’ve really pushed the limit as far as I can. The upshot is, the Prima Lunas are magnificent straight out of the box, and can easily be made significantly better if you are so inclined. I like that aspect.

The build quality and the quality of components inside the amps are second to none. I really can’t imagine anyone being disappointed with the PrimaLuna level of quality and construction. I’m so glad I decided to go with the Evos - they are up there with the best I have ever heard, at a price that makes you wonder how some other brands can even survive against that kind of competition. Some may prefer built in the USA (but not for quality reasons, I venture to add).