I would not consider analytical a definition describing the musical merits of the PL preamp. If you mean how the preamp responds to tube change I guess you could have a point but on the whole this pre is a true music maker when used in a properly oriented system setup....tube type also plays a huge role with both the 12au7’s and rectifiers used. It all comes down to personal tastes I guess... 8)
What solid amp to pair with DiaLogue Premium Preamplifier ?
Hi everyone, any input regarding pairing the PrimaLuna DiaLogue Premium Preamplifier with a solid state amp 100-200watts in 8ohm ?
My speakers are bbc design 5/9 are said to sound better with power between 100 to 150/200 watts.
What have you guys tried that worked well, I like my music to be musical with as much detail as possible, but without sounding clinical or thin sounding.
Looking forward for some input.
My speakers are bbc design 5/9 are said to sound better with power between 100 to 150/200 watts.
What have you guys tried that worked well, I like my music to be musical with as much detail as possible, but without sounding clinical or thin sounding.
Looking forward for some input.
19 responses Add your response
I have owned and used my PL Dialogue Premium preamp.. almost 4 years now..on a daily basis and have had not one issue with it..period! That does not mean some parts failure can not happen from time to time...just like any manufactured
product out there.Concerning prat..well,it may not be as good as some of the best ss designs..but, with the PL..that will depend on what tube types are being used to achieve that end goal. I highly recommend it as do many other owners. Who knows..someday I may change to something else,but in all honesty,the sound I'm getting right now is just too good to even think about a change in my preamp...especially with the great benefit and fun factor of nos tube rolling... tailoring that perfect sound... to your own liking! |
Hi All, There has been some amount of comments on the PL Dialogue Premium needing repair. My personal experience: Mine blew a Solens capacitor within the first six months and Upscale Audio took care of it for free. Recently, a couple of years later, the left channel went out and I had to pay the freight to get it to California. Upscale repaired it for free and and shipped it back for free. They claimed that they "upgraded a circuit". Two repairs in three years bothered me so I checked out other preamps including CJ LS17 - 2, ARC LS25, and an Axiom II passive. In my system, all of these are more musical than the PL. The PL was good if I wanted to hear into a vocal but rather lame if I wanted PRAT. I ran the PL with both a Coda CS and McCormack DNA - 500 and neither helped with the lack of liveliness. My speakers are Thiel CS5's. Things changed for the much better with any of the other preamps. Thanks for listening, Dsper |
Hard to understand how a Primaluna preamp could pass DC current. I think Primaluna has been reliable since they got popular circa 2004. The Primaluna and Rogue has responded very well to tube changes. Have all NOS tubes now. Further experimentation forthcoming. I want a Pass Labs XA-25 to try with Dialogue Premium Pre but the Stereo 100 is so good, I’ll stay put for a while. |
Given what you're looking for, I'd reiterate my McCormack recommendation. Here's a DNA-125 that has plenty of power, and you can always send it to its maker for significant upgrades later on... https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649472706-mccormack-dna125/ Here's a review you might find informative... http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0800/dna125.htm I've been using a DNA-0.5 (with Steve's A revisions) for years, and I'm now looking to pair it with a tubed preamp, which I think will be a sublime combination. Best of luck in whatever you choose. |
Sorry about not paying attention to your post title. If you decide to go all tubes, the Primaluna/Rogue combo is completely sublime. I liked my Croft tube/mosfet amp better then my solid state Primare and Naim amps. I liked the Rogue Stereo 100 best of all. Think it’s something about it’s huge bandwidth and control of the bass. |
My dialog premium pre arrives Friday. I’m pairing mine with a Rogue Stereo 100 amp. It’s beating my Croft 7R tube hybrid and Naim NAP 180 solid state. If the Rogue Stereo 100 and Prologue Premium pre is good enough for Herb Reichart, it’s good enough for me. Guess I’m a bit of a Herb fan boy lately because I like what I hear with my Harbeth Compact 7s. |
Not sure I want to go class d. No reason to not go to Class D. The only reason old or cheap Class D was/is bad is because the switching frequency wasn’t/isn’t high enough. PS Audio for instance uses an ICE Class D for their M300, ATI also uses Class D. Look up reviews, the NC400 is vastly superior to basically everything else for the price. Datasheet: https://www.diyclassd.com/img/upload/doc/ncore/nc400/Documentation/NC400_04xx.pdf#page11 |
Any of these would likely fit the bill... https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649470651-mccormack-dna1-special-edition/ https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649470492-belles-sa-100/ https://www.audiogon.com/listings/lis96dbg-belles-350a-solid-state?refsource=hifishark With the McCormack, check to see that the input board doesn't need to be replaced. Have owner confirm with SMcAudio. Best of luck. |
Depends on budget. If you don’t mind light assembly (no soldering), the Hypex NC400 mono blocks would run you <$1500 USD I believe (more if bought them from a company, one sells them for $2000/pair I think, also bridged mono block pairs (4 monoblocks total) for $3000). There’s almost nothing they can’t power with pristine output. |
