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PrimaLuna DiaLogue Seven Speaker Match

Hey all

I'm looking to get my first component system, and I am totally in love with PrimaLuna's amp and preamp. My plan is to get they DiaLogue Seven monoblocks, as well as the DiaLogue Three preamp.

My source will be vinyl or my iPhone/iPod.

My musical tastes are mainly rock, metal, bluegrass, alt-country, and folk.

I'm not worried about deafening anyone -- I just want good, solid, organinc musical reproduction.

With that said, does anyone have any speaker recommendations for a full PrimaLuna rig? I'm sure Thiel CS3.7s sound glorious, but is something like that -- which wants 300-600 watts of power -- "too much speaker" for these amps?

Any thoughts would be MUCH appreciated!
maurym

Showing 6 responses by orpheus10

orpheus10
8,668 posts
 
RCA NOS 12au7 black plates will take the PrimaLuna up a big notch. The 12ax7's that come with the unit are very good, and it will take a stretch to beat them. The PrimaLuna Dialogue Seven is miles ahead of most tube amps; just as you can set your bath water to the precise temperature, you can roll the tubes in the PrimaLuna for a precise sound.
orpheus10
8,668 posts
 
12AU7 RCA Clear top, (always matched pairs) at Brent Jesse for $69 a pair. They also have Black Plates for $50 a pair. At those prices you might get both and compare.

Brent Jesse's got good ears for tubes, that's why I use him exclusively. If you're patient and lucky, you can talk to him.
orpheus10
8,668 posts
 

I have them both, and I prefer the Blacktops; but not by much. I also bought two quads of Tung- Sol EL34 B, all matched of course. ARC was my favorite amp, up until now. I like the Prima Luna much better. Once you tube up, it has all the best characteristics of ARC, with just a tad more warmth.
orpheus10
8,668 posts
 
Correction, I have the Black Tops in a pre and clear tops in the Prima Luna. I also have Mullards in the pre working with the Prima Luna.
orpheus10
8,668 posts
 
If you're a music lover, as opposed to an equipment lover; you will always get the right amp, and let it dictate which speaker you choose.

However, there are different kinds of music lovers. If you listen to the inner beauty of the music as opposed to "boom bada boom" it's the amp; but if it's "boom bada boom" that floats your boat it's the speaker.
orpheus10
8,668 posts
 
Sionlim, you are in the largest majority of "posters" here on the Gon, although I don't think you're in the largest majority of audiophiles.

All the audiophiles I've known personally, were very deep into the music, but I don't think any of them post here on the Gon. Several moves and life's complexities have put me out of touch with old audiophile friends.

One of them was a "fireman" who had excellent taste in equipment. He could hear a rat pissing on cotton in the next room. His love of music drove him to sacrifice in order to get the sound he required.
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