Tube Integrated vs Tube Seperates


I’m looking into buying a tube setup.  Thinking it will be Primaluna because I find tube amps a bit intimidating and I will be putting lots of hours on it. Because these factors Primaluna seems like at least a good place to start for me. Thanks to all who gave me there impressions in my previous post about Primaluna.  Anyway, looking for people’s take on tube integrated vs tube seperates. Really what I’m looking for in the move is more holographic soundstage, bloom, air, and an over all more lifelike presentation. Will I get more of these qualities by going Dialogue preamp into Dialogue amp, or with the Dialogue HP integrated, or will it be very similar?  Any thoughts are much appreciated 

brylandgoodman

Showing 5 responses by brylandgoodman

Speakers are Harbeth C7es3 xd. Room is 12x24 open on the back left half. I listen typically in the 80db range but at times peaks are well into the 90db range. 

octave is a company m don’t know much about, but I appreciate their look, and they seem well built. I will read up on them a bit more 

Line Magnetic I find fascinating but I worry they aren’t a great amp to run for as many hours as I’d be using them. I could be wrong though. 

Quicksilver does get some great reviews. My issue is more cosmetic with them. I really prefer all of the connections to be on one side, and that side should be the back. Just can’t get on board with there looks, and cables coming out both sides before they get routed behind my rack. 

Thanks for all the input. I’m leaning towards seperates right now. I do like that it gives me more flexibility. My main concern going tubes is power. I’ve used high power solid state for a long time. If I go seperates I can easily keep the preamp and move back to solid state for the power if I think that’s needed. I do have a little concern over 30-40 watts being enough, but I think I’m going to give it a shot and see how it works out. The hp Primaluna is really only a 3db difference. When I look at it from that perspective doubling the tubes for 3db doesn’t make much sense to me.
Regarding Line Magnetic my main concern is heat. At least with there set amps that get most the rave reviews. I’ve read they put out some crazy heat, and I just don’t think that makes sense for hours of daily use.  If someone could convince me I’m wrong I’d love to try one out. 

Think I am going to pick up a Primaluna Dialogue preamp and power amp. The seller has a set of kt150s as well as el34s, and kt88s. I’m going to buy at least the el34s and kt150s. He is also local so he said I could bring my speakers and make sure the amp can drive them sufficiently. That I’m super grateful for. Pretty excited to hear my first full tube setup.  Hopefully it’s all that I’m hoping it will be.