2. amps-preamps
  3. 157659-18279

What integrated would you recommend for summer amp?

Hey all, I'm feeling sinful for running my Primaluna Dialogue HP integrated all summer long.  It pumps out modest heat but it does push the A/C to run longer and all that seems wasteful. 

Thing is, I want to keep life simple and within my means right now. So, I'm thinking the budget needs to be ~$1k new/used.  Here's my setup now: 

  • Primaluna integrated
  • Klipsch Forte III loudspeakers
  • Manley Chinook phono pre
  • Technics 1200 GAE turntable
  • Kiseki Purpleheart cartridge
  • Bluesound Node (Tidal mostly)
  • Old Rotel CD player
  • Doge Audio Tube DAC
  • Analysis Plus cabling
  • REL T9i subwoofer
Let the recommendations fly!
jbhiller

Showing 1 response by big_greg

big_greg
6,711 posts
 
I went through this exercise not too long ago in my computer room.  I have a ductless split A/C unit in my house, but this room doesn't get a lot of flow from it and with my computer, all the attached hard drives, and my ARC Vsi55, it would get pretty warm in this room during the summer. 

I bought a second hand Vincent SV 237 for just a little over $1K and moved the Vsi55 into my office, which is bigger and stays cooler. 

With the stock tube, it had a little bit of an "edge", but the preamp section seems pretty responsive to tube rolling and I replaced the stock tube with a Tung-Sol 12AX7A and the stock 6N1P-EV tubes with Voskhod 6N1P tubes and it sounds fantastic with my Harbeth P3ESR speakers.  Very detailed, but "smoother" without that bit of edginess it had with the stock tubes.  It has more than enough power to make your Fortes really sing.  

Having said all that, in my limited listening experience at a dealer showroom, the Primaluna gear seems to match up really well with Klipsch speakers.  I think it's a little "euphonic" and am not sure I could live with it long term, but it is seductive.  If that's one of the things you love about your system, you will probably loose that with most SS options.  
More to discover