Quick question about PrimaLuna Prologue Two

Admittedly, I purchased the PL2 without benefit of an audition. At the time, the price difference between the PL1 and PL2 was on the order of $200 or so and I figured that the upgrades were worth a relatively nominal sum.

I use EL 34's in both my PL2 and PL5. I tend to agree with your assessment of the KT88's, they add a certain ballsiness to the sound that I did not care for. I liked the sound of 6550's, but I was only getting a few hundred hours of use with them and I tried a variety of makers. I have been using Electro Harmnonix EL34 for the last few months ... a good compromise on sound and longevity.

Regards,

Rich

Hi there and thanks for the reply.

So in your experience, the PL2 works well with the EL34? I have also come across impressions that a lot of the PL2's forwardness may be attributed to the stock 12AX7 - have you perhaps rolled those and found other tubes (e.g., NOS 12AX7's and 5751's) to help sweeten the sound?

All the best,
X

I have had the PL2 for about 18 months. I have not heard the PL1. I started out with KT88's but switched last January to EL34's. I cant say if they drive the tubes harder but i do love the sound and the ability to switch to other tubes as i see fit.

I do know that a dealer of the primaluna does not like JJ EL34's in them. They caused arcing on my PL2 and i had the socket replaced by mitch singermann. I'm using Mullard reissues and SED EL34's and like them.

i have also rolled some tubes in preamp section. Like the new issue Groove Tube 12ax7M mullard copies, tried some NOS brimar cv4004 but liked the GT better. Both were much better then the stock tubes.

I have run some RCA 5814 blacktops in the 12au7 position and now have some nos RCA cleartops. Both gave better sound; better to me is warmer, creamy. I listen to lots of blues.

I too have the PL2 and rolled the input tubes per Upscales reccomendation . I like it much better .

While I did not have a problem with the highs , the new input tubes did bring out the bass and warm up the mids .
I did not notice any effect to the highs .

Actually I like the highs on the PL2 , better than some tube amps that roll the highs off . I don't find them strident or over emphasized . Could be a difference in the source and/or cables .

Good luck .

I did replace the 12AX7 and 12AU7 with NOS Mullard and Sylvania as per Kevin Deal's recommendation for the PL2. For the PL5, I went with new production Groove Tube 12AX7 and EH 12AU7. I like both set-ups.

Regards,

Rich