2. amps-preamps
  3. 119328-33682

Primaluna Dialogue Premium or Premium HP?

I am hoping for some feedback from anyone who has experience with the PL Premium or HP.  I have a Dialogue One now, that I really love!  I have B&W 803N speakers, which are notorious for being hard to drive.  However, this Dialogue drives them wonderfully.  Now, the bug has got me, and I'm thinking to upgrade, to get clearer, cleaner (still tubes) sound, and a bit more power for bass control and power.

That said, I'm considering either the Dialogue Premium or the Dialogue Premium HP integrated amp.  I am able to get a good deal on the HP, making the cost difference unimportant.  Any thoughts on the difference in the two?  Only once, I read that the HP has more power but less finesse.  Anyone have experience with both who could comment on this?  Or other considerations?  Which would you choose if cost weren't the object?  Of course, saying that... going to separates would be cost prohibitive.  I know I'd see even more improvement with separates, but don't want to spend that cash now.

And, there isn't an option for me to audition them next to each other.  I'm going on faith and my current PL experience... and hopefully the collective knowledge of this forum.

Thanks!
128x128soundermn

Showing 3 responses by klhrw1

klhrw1
7 posts
 
All,

If I may ask any owners of Dialogue Premium power amps / mono:  

I presently own the Prologue 6 monoblocks with Dialogue Premium Preamp, and love every bit about them.  After plunk in some money for Focal Sopra 2 to replace the KEF R700 speakers, soundstage and dynamics improvements are significant.  On the hind side I should have spent more on great sets of loudspeakers, but am glad to have made the decision eventually with great results.

To take this to next level, I intend to upgrade the Prologue 6 power amps to Dialogue Premium monoblock, with HP and non-HP versions to be considered.  Any owners may feedback on these HP vs non-HP monos?  There were a few online rave reviews (HFA, Dagogo, Stereophile) about these amps, but none really pit against their weaknesses, costs of ownership, etc.  The HP will undoubtedly give more headroom in terms of power, but am quite conscious about sound / distortion / power delivery.  My humble Prologue 6 mono delivers about 70w and have done so nicely.

Your feedbacks / ownership experience these Dialogue Premium mono HP vs non-HP are much appreciated!


klhrw1
7 posts
 
Soundermn - Thanks for your feedbacks.  Indeed you’re spot on about the number of tubes on the HP, more so for monoblocks.  My initial cheapskate way of thinking was to start with all stock EL34. When time comes, I will then swap 1 or 2 different KT tubes so as to mix+match them to the sound of my liking!  After all, adaptive autobiase should take care of everything, right? 😅

At any rate, swapping all 8 tubes for non-HP vs 16 on HP monos is indeed costlier.  I also read the non-HP mono would only output 36w if using EL34 triode mode (my speakers min requirement is 40w).  Going straight to KT 120 or 150 would probably bump up the price close to the HP version with EL34.  That’s why I am weighing against these two, both are great amps.

What made you decided with KT150 instead of 120 or 88?


klhrw1
7 posts
 
soundermn - I see you’re very experienced in tube rolling and taking your hifi to next level.  Could you please describe “glare” on KT120 and the type of music exhibit this?  

Reason being is that I found whenever I listen to orchestra type of music, with multiple instruments such as piano, cymbals, drums, violins, etc., I do often find the highs or trebles were a bit harsh and no clear sound separation.  The only time I heard a clear separation (non-harsh) was auditioning a pair of B&W 800 D3 by listening to the same music.  The rest of B&W range (e.g. 802, 803, 804) couldn’t attain the same performance.  The 800D3 was paired with Classe’ amps retailed around 50k+, which is probably inline with price / expectations.  Considering the fact that I enjoy tubes sound and tube rolling flexibility, I may experiment with the PL amps to attain closer to my ideal sound.

barruch86 - there seems to be a consensus that HP would be well-suited in driving power hungry speakers.  Perhaps you can check with the owner named bluesy41 in this forum (also owns Magne and happy with HP).  Bluesy41 can be seen in a thread posted here (rare occasion reported PL destroyed speakers):
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/primaluna-dialogue-premium-preamplifier-destroys-speakers?sor...


More to discover