PrimaLuna EVO 100 tube DAC


Hi.  I am running a Wiim Pro Plus into a Yamaha A-S801 into Wharfedale Linton Heritage.  I want to tinker with my setup and possibly add some tubes.

I've come across the PrimaLuna EVO 100 tube DAC for a very discounted price at a going out of business sale.

This would get me tubes but would also be an upgrade to my Wiim DAC.

I'd need to purchase it without hearing it in my setup, so it would be a bit of a risk, but again, it's heavily discounted which is why i'm considering it. 

I suspect I would have some noticeable sound difference from the tubes, but what about from the upgraded DAC?  Thank you.

 

 

steam_engine

See my post in response to your other thread. 

The Primaluna DAC would surly make an improvement over the Wiim. The return on investment would would depend on cost and plans for the rest of your system.

I had the Primaluna Dac, it just seemed boring and tubes can be a problem some times.You can do a lot better. The Wiim is great as a streamer but the Dac is not good.

I also had the Denafrips Venus 12th anniversary at the same time, the Venus is so much better at everything compared to the PL Dac..and I used the Wiim pro as a streamer until I upgraded the streamer…there are so many better dacs out there…

The Primaluna sounds like a plain vanilla Delta Sigma DAC. I would recommend you look elsewhere. You could buy the DAC to advantage of low price but you will find yourself selling it soon enough. Something as basic as Gustard DAC will give you better performance,

I heard PL DAC, and its anything but plain vanilla DS DAC. If you get a good discount, jump on it, its one of the best DACs in that price range. 

If a price of anything is very good, then you ought to be able to re-sell it for a gain, break-even, very minor loss, so, IF: at full price, it truly interests/appeals to you, and the funds are available, why not try it.

IF it is primarily the PRICE that appeals to you, not the thing itself, I would skip it.

I see you are ONLY considering a DAC with Tubes, which is a One Time Tinker

rather than using Tubes for other existing/future sources, eventually trying Analog Tape or Vinyl via Tubes, a Tube Tuner, CD thru tube preamp ...

Eventually try Tube Amplification?

 

 

Looking at your Yamaha and speakers, different dacs won’t change anything…you need to upgrade the whole system otherwise you are throwing away money…just enjoy what you have until you can make a big move…

If you want an interesting Tube DAC:

https://www.borderpatrol.net/dac/

It is also on sale.

Good advice above on not getting carried away with going "tubey". Set upgrade goals and a path to get there.

 

 

The LTA (Linear Tube Audio) Aero DAC uses tubes in its output stage and it has pretty low output impedance of 70 ohms for se and 140 ohms for xlr for a tube implemented gear.