Primaluna?

Thanks for all the feedback from everybody.  I have to sell some gear first, but will be trying a Primaluna when that’s worked out. Curious peoples take on an integrated vs going seperates.  Looking for specifics far as where the differences are.  I know seperates give extra flexibility and potentially lower noise, but what else?  Also curious what might be the difference from using an integrated or using a power amp with a dac that has volume control?  Again thanks for all the replies.  

Since this thread continues to go in another direction than I intended I may as well roll with it.  I like most have seen Kevin in his videos going back years. I’ve had one personal conversation with him regarding the Prologue Premium Preamp, and the original LTA Micro that he carried at the time. I figured since he sold both, and both were very well received in the press that I could get some clarification on each of their strengths and their weaknesses. He responded as if it was a ridiculous question, and that the Primaluna was clearly superior.  I asked him why and he went on about how much his preamp weighs. I told him I wasn’t to concerned about their weight and that I was very open minded about there being different ways to get good sound. Also from the little I do understand about the LTA is that it’s key distinction is it is transformerless. I could imagine if you took the transformers out of the Primaluna and used a cheaper lighter chassis the two would probably be fairly close in weight. Then again I could be way off and I’m aware if this.  I’m also aware I have no idea what makes a preamp sound good. Far as I know it has nothing to do with weight. I think a more appropriate response to my question would have been to explain why the Primaluna sounds better, and then if he felt it was needed to further explain how the weight of the Primaluna contributed to this. 
 

Anyways, I guess my point is I was a bit turned off by his response and seemingly at times lack manners.  I would already own or would have owned one if it weren’t for that conversation. I’ve realized over time though that it silly to not try something that truly speaks to me because one person with affiliation turned me off. I’ve also realized I can appreciate Kevin’s passion, and I do think that’s where most of his shortness comes from. At the same time I would have very much appreciated somebody who I felt truly wanted to educate me instead of whatever that was. 
 

Also regarding integrated vs seperates, am I going to get more of the unique quality that tubes bring with seperates?  Or are the improvements in more general areas, not just the ones associated with tubes. Really I just want more bloom and more of the feeling of listening to a performance, and not a stereo.   Hopefully that makes since. I’m not very comfortable explaining what I’m hearing. 

Amps I can understand much better. Preamps not so much. I’m pretty sure I’ve heard Kevin him self talk about how preamps aren’t amplifyIng the sound as much as they are reducing the signal. I think he duscusses this when talking about the amount of gai. The Primaluna preamps have. This makes me feel that while large current capabilities and large transformers may create a sound that some or a majority may prefer I am skeptically of its necessity.  I’ remember reading an article about PS Audio and that they were apparently one of the early designs to use what the described as an OVERSIZED transformer. This again makes me feel that undoubtedly large transformers may change the sound, but it’s also possible one might prefer the sound in there system in there house that comes from a smaller transformer.  I could be wrong for sure but I don’t think you NEED a large transformer to put out a couple volts.  

I just want to clarify that I’m not knocking Primaluna in any way, and plan to purchase one in the future. Was just sharing my experience with Kevin and what I thought about it.  I do think from my research that Primaluna makes a very well made, well thought out, and musical product.   

I ended up purchasing a Primaluna Dialogue Premium preamp and power amp. It’s been an interesting experience so far with my Harbeth C7es3 xd speakers. It’s been both very satisfying and also a bit frustrating. Really everything other than the bass I think is incredible. The bass is just to loose and undefined, although it is very powerful.  I do think it’s making more bass than my McIntosh mc302 was at equal volumes, and this is part of the issue. I’m guessing this is  equal parts the amp and the speakers at fault. I switched the output tubes to kt150s and that was a noticeable improvement throughout the frequency range. The bass is now closer to what I desire but not quite there. I’m debating what my best approach is at this point. I really like the sound I’m getting outside of the bass so I’m willing to throw some money at it if it will get me where I want to be. Part of me wonders if it will be a wasted effort and I should really just sell the power amp and go back to solid state. Other ideas I have would be trying some different signal tubes in the preamp and amp. Another idea is to buy a Schiit Lokius and just turn down the bass. I did have a c46 previously and I did use the tone controls to tame the bass. I could live without with the Mc gear but not sure I can with this tube amp. Any thoughts or ideas are appreciated.