Prima Luna Vs Accupahse

Focals and Tannoys are very different sounding speakers, so if you buy an amp now that sounds good with the Focals you may be disappointed with the synergy with the Tannoys.  Upgrade the speakers first if that’s where you’re headed and then work on the amp. 

+1 soix.  

Which Tannoys are you interested in?

I'm interested in Turnberry's. Its gonna be a while before I can get those at 10k a pair.

Tubes or SS that's what your really looking at, also 48w-90w but both are fine with either.  

I'd think the Accuphase will be better made and hold its resale value longer. No tubes to replace when they go, as they will.  More features in the E280 as well. Meters!.

I just don't think Prima Luna is at the same level as Accuphase. But if you want tubes its an option, there are better options out there for similar money though IMO of course.

I took me a long time to sell my friends prima Luna preamp and mono blocks when he passed a couple years ago. Resale value is not high for them in my experience. 

@glennewdick Thank you for the response. Im mainly looking for the best sound quality and reliability. The only amp I have ever has is the Arcam SA20 and I like the sound signature but want to take it to the next level. If it was you which one wojld you go with?

@soix thanks for the reply. Yes I know that they are 2 different speakers but I wont be buying Tannoys anytime soon. It could be years. Out of both amps which one would you say is the better amp. I want to take my system to the next level.

@glennewdick 

+1

I'll put another vote in for the Accuphase. I don't think anyone's going to argue the build quality...probably last you forever.

Prima Luna.....well, not so much.

Without a working definition of "better" for you?

What’s better for me is meaningless.

Sounds better with speakers you probably haven't heard in your room?  

Built better?

Maintenance reputation?

More expensive better?

Uses less power?

Room heat?

Sounds better without warm up or always on?

Form factor?

Features?

Accuphase all the way.  As an owner I can tell you that it'll pair nicely with just about any speaker you throw at it.  Gorgeous build quality to go along with superb sound.

My close buddy owns the SA20 in his secondary system and a Primaluna Dialogue HP is his main.  I've spent many hours listening to both.  We have owned the same speakers and our rooms are similar in size.  The Primaluna outshines the SA20 in just about every way, most noticeable the soundstaging and more natural tonality. 

Primaluna would be an upgrade for you, but long term Accuphase would be the way to go IMO.

Keep us posted if you make a purchase. 

OP, I suspect most respondents here are assuming you’re asking about a Primaluna tube amp, whereas you’re asking about their hybrid integrated which has an AB amp in it. As for build quality (which probably is better on the accuphase…), the PL gear is built well, don’t get me wrong - it is very reliable, and gives up some things in the cosmetic side to cut costs, while the Accuphase is an even higher standard all around. But anyway I doubt many of us have heard the hybrid amp. I would bet either of your choices would work very well with the Tannoys. I owned the Turnberrys, with a Luxman class A integrated and primalunas, though all tubes in my case. Both were great, though the solid state amp had more transient speed than the tubes, a bit better bass and clearer highs, but the tubes were more liquid. You might get the best of both worlds with the PL hybrid. I’m sure upscale audio could give you some good insight on this pairing since they sell both.

Out of both amps which one would you say is the better amp. I want to take my system to the next level.

Hard to recommend any amp without knowing what specific improvements you’re looking for over your Arcam and what sound characteristics (i.e. imaging/3D soundstage, tonality, treble detail/air, micro/macro dynamics, PRaT, etc.) are most important to you.  “Better” and “next level” are pretty vague and can mean very different things to different people depending on their personal tastes/preferences.  So more specifics would be very helpful here. 

The Prima Luna Hybrid amp has gotten some rave reviews when it first came out. Looks like a winner.

There is a substantial gap here in build quality alone Accuphase is far better 

made in Japan which has much much more QC as well as parts quality,

also their failure rate in the lowest 5% in the worlld going from others I read over a 20 year period ,in their preamp section a patented volume attenuator, 

look at prima luna in the magazines up front left a Round silver can which is a low cost Alps or burns volume pot ,2 pieces of plastic wipers with a conductive spray on them , why ? When a ladder resistor , or relay volume attenuator is far more accurate .

Accuphase all the way, however I also agree with @soix.  It would be best to get the speakers first if you can.

All the best.

Accuphase. Accuphase .Accuphase all the way...to the tune of Jingle Bells

Assume you're talking used Accuphase, since if you can't afford a $10K speaker you can't afford a new Accuphase either.

You are building your system like I am building mine. One piece at a time, when and where I can afford... I have an idea of where I would like to end up, but I have to compromise much along the way. If these two amps are local, maybe you can audition them? If it's a question of the lifetime amp, then I lean to the solid state. If there's some doubt about your desire to tinker, then I lean SS. If you listen to Rock more than Jazz or Classical, then I lean SS. There's no television in my house (other than the band) so if you listen a lot, or you don't have scheduled listening, or at higher volume, then SS, again. Good luck and enjoy the ride.

The Arcam amp is excellent so to improve on it, with Focal speakers, I’d go with the Accuphase. I don’t know why Primaluna is being dissed though. Their amps are very well made and my old DiaLogue One is still running perfectly. I just think you will like the Accuphase better with Focals. Who knows what amp you might like with Tannoys, if you ever get them. You are listening to your stereo now. Buy the amp that sounds good with it now.  Life is short and plans change. 

@sc53 Yes I want a rich warm sound. Detailed but musical and not anilytcal. I heard both of these amps are that. Im not too worry about bass as my room is small and if I ever move to a bigger room I can just add a pair of subs. Thanks, it seema like Accupahse os getting the majority of votes.

@fatdaddy2 yes all the gear I am looking to buy is used . 

@wsrrsw thanks for the input. Accuphase seems to be the winner here. 

@audioman58 thanks for the input. I wish I could hear any of them first but Im sure I can go wrong with the Accuphase. Im looking for a rich' warm sound but still detailed with good holographic imaging. My Arcam SA20 has been goos but its been 4 years since Ive had it now. My room is small so I dont need lots of power.its only about 13×14. I found a good deal on a used Accuphase E-280 on Ebay so its a no brainer.

I own the PL integrated amp and the Focal 936s. I’m in heaven. I rolled to the 150 power tubes and have two Rel Subs. The synergy is sublime.... IMHO

edit: FWIW...... I do not have the hybrid PL, straight tubes. For what it’s worth, my digital end, a separate streamer and dac... fairly high end at 6k and 5k, the Focals are way brighter than my analog side; a tube phono pre amp and the PL. Not unbearably bright.... just brighter.

Another way I'd describe my sound is:  My analog side is, as you put it.... " rich warm sound, Detailed and above all, musical.  My digital side is analytical and more bright.  I like both sides for it gives me variety.  Both sides take me places my car can't!  Both sides blow me away. 

Seriously there are so many factors (the room being a biggie). In my plebeian opinion putting the Amps difference into very general vernacular, the Focals are fast speakers and the Tannoys (horns) are a bit slower..nay a tad more analog. The same is true for the Amps. The Tanny's are more efficient so to drive.

The sound between A and B will be different. Without knowing all of your equipment opinions as to a way to go are somewhat moot. 

Moving away from the Arcam SA20 w/ either AMP would be an upgrade.

The main reason to consider PrimaLuna is for their all tube design, engineering and overall build quality. It just what they do best. I feel that hybrid “Floyd” offering will be short lived. It’s a nice, all in one package with sufficient power, but the Accuphase (with its tone controls) will likely serve you better across your speaker evolution.

For what it’s worth, I run a pair of Tannoys (Legacy Arden) in my main system powered by the PrimaLuna Evo 300 power amp. It’s a fantastic pairing and I feel like I don’t need to consider “upgrades” in either area. Tube swaps certainly help to fine tune the sound.

Don’t rule the Tannoy Cheviot out when you start to get serious about speakers. It’s a little more affordable than the Turnberry, and the legacy line punches above its weight class sonically. 
 

Best of luck.

You say you want a "rich, warm sound". I replaced a pair of Tannoy Turnberry SE that I had for 12 years and used with many amplifiers/preamplifiers/integrateds with a pair of Focal Kanta 2. Most recent amplification was/is Benchmark HPA4/AHB2, with both Tannoy and Focal. The sound with the Tannoys was certainly warmer, but I'm a lot happier with the Focal sound. Much clearer, much more detailed. More bass (as opposed to "warmth", maybe). In my room, anyway, the Focals have it all over the Tannoys. What am I saying, exactly? I guess partly that you will definitely get richer and warmer sound with the Tannoys. But it sounds much more like real music here with the Focal speakers. Listening to the Scottish Chamber Orchestra right now with them. Beautiful.

I've owned the SA20 and I now own a PL EVO 300 preamp, which feeds a pair of Belles Aria mono blocks.  I'm sure you already know to take advice here with a grain of salt, but I never liked the SA20 because, unlike the broad consensus, I found it very edgy and fatiguing.  So I too was looking to upgrade to a warm, rich sound.  Let me tell you, the Prima Luna preamp was a gigantic step in the right direction.  It is very refined, with a smooth midrange and helps throw out a very wide and holographic soundstage in comparison to the Arcam.  But keep in mind that my amps are pretty rich and full-bodied too.  Nevertheless, I'm confident the PL will help get you closer to that elusive "ideal sound" that we nutty audiophiles chase after.  I've never listened to Accuphase before and have only ever seen anything from that brand during a recent trip to Japan.  I don't know if it will get you closer to Nirvana than PL, but its "cool factor" alone (if that matters to you) is off the charts and would weigh heavily on my decision.  Good luck and happy listening!

I don’t know about the accuphase, but others seem to like it and it has a great reputation. The PL, to me, is a boring sounding tube amp. You can do much better for that money. Do you need that much power? I would investigate PASS, AYRE (both ss) and VAC, if accuphase isn’t already a done deal.

I had Accuphase, think it was E213, their entry model, and for that price you can get mid-high PrimaLuna models. So hard to compare, where Accuphase begins, Primaluna almost ends:)

Also, quite different sound. Went from Accuphase integrated, to Primaluna preamp+Pass labs power amp, to now Primaluna 300 Hybrid. 
If you want clean musical sound and brand name/resale value, Accuphase is way to go. If you want more organic and holographic sound but with good bass grip, 300 Hybrid is great choice. I love mine and finally don't have upgrade itch.
But all are great amps, you can't go wrong with any. 

I have a PL Evo 400 into Dynaudio evoke 50s.

I have the ability to upgrade, but no reason to want to.