Which integrated amp for better musicality - Parasound Hint vs Primaluna vs ???


I've been having a blast looking up threads and doing some research but my dilemma is this - I want to get more enjoyment out of my music (don't we all). My Anthem and Oppo setup honestly sound great but I can't help but think that maybe I am missing out. I am thinking of upgrading some of my gear by either adding an integrated amp or separates. I'd love to hear some recommendations. Based on some reading, I am considering: 

1. Parasound Halo Integrated 6
2. Primaluna Dialogue Premium or Premium HP

My current setup is as follows: 

Oppo 105D
Anthem MRX 510 AVR
Ascend Acoustic Sierra RAAL Towers and Horizon Center

Any recommendations or thoughts would be greatly appreciated. 
freesole

Showing 5 responses by auxinput

Agreed. Your speakers are not that "inefficient". The Primaluna will start to saturate and fall down around 15-25 watts (depending on tube choice and mode). If you want to turn it up and "rock out' to loud and/or bass heavy music, be aware that you'll want something that will push 40-80 watts CLEAN.
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I totally get your impression of "McIntosh" because it's the same as mine. It's nice, but too laid back for me. They did sound very excellent with Sonus Faber speakers, but I would definitely want something more. Listening to McIntosh amp with McIntosh speakers, it was so boring I was like "snooze".
I had an opportunity to hear a couple systems with Primaluna.  For a tube integrated, I actually think they are pretty damn good sound quality.  Very good resolution for a tube amp, but I can definitely hear just a bit of the "tube amp sonic signature".  You would have to listen to some tube amps to know what I mean, but even then, the Primaluna is not that "colored" in the sound as other tube amps are.
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The Parasound HALO Integrated is actually going to sound a lot warmer.  Yes, it will have more power and it will have great dynamics and slam, but will have very warm and rolled off highs (the high frequency resolution will not be nearly as good as the Primaluna).  The Parasound resolution can be fixed with a massive fuse overhaul (there are at least 4 fuses internally in addition to the main A/C fuse - recommend Hi-Fi Tuning Supreme for the main fuse and Furutech for all internal fuses).  Stock Parasound will actually sound a lot like the Marantz "warm" sonic signature.

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The Anthem MRX 510 receiver is probably one of the highest resolution and fastest sounding receivers.  The Parasound Halo will be the complete opposite and may sound too warm/dry.
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The Primaluna will probably be the closest sound to the Anthem.  It will have a little less "speed", but it will have very good resolution and "sing" much better than the Anthem.  Be aware that the Primaluna is a tube amp and will only have about 43 watts per channel (or 27 watts in triode mode).  The tubes will start to saturate at about half power and you'll get tube saturation/distortion.  So if you are out for seriously loud music with lots of bass, the Primaluna will likely fall down in this aspect.
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The Parasound Halo will be able to slam out the loud bass a lot better, but it is warm/dry in comparison (unless you do fuse upgrade).  Even with fuse upgrade, the Parasound will likely not "sing" quite as good as the Primaluna.  Your RAAL tweeters are very fast responding and if you are listening with the Anthem MRX, you could be dissapointed with the Parasound (unless you do fuse upgrade).
I have not heard the Naim. The McIntosh integrateds will have the typical "Mac" sound. The McIntosh will have slightly mild/laid-back midrange and midbass. The sound is excellent, don't get me wrong, but it is not a resolution monster like your Anthem. I think the Primaluna will have more resolution and attack/detail than the McIntosh, but it will not have the power. The McIntosh is not nearly as warm as the Parasound, but not as fast/detailed as the Anthem/Primaluna.
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In a comparison, the Parasound will have excellent "slam" in the midbass and midrange, but it will have rolled-off highs. The McIntosh will have pretty good resolution in the highs, but slightly rolled off midrange (best I can describe it). Both will have good bass authority.
Oh, somebody earlier recommended PSVANE tubes.  I will also second that recommendation if you want to upgrade your preamp tubes if you get a Primaluna (or similar).  I just helped a friend upgrade his JJ 12au7 tubes to PSVANE.  The JJ were okay, but the PSVANE just had so much more resolution and detail -- and they really "sang".  Overall, excellent upgrade!!  This was the second time I have heard PSVANE "preamp tubes".  I suspect the PSVANE amp tubes will have similar results.  They are definitely expensive, but not as expensive as other boutique or NOS tubes.
Thanks for the youtube videos.  I think the Primaluna has more attack, detail and sweetness.   However, closer listening, the Line Magnetic does not have as much attack/detail and it dryer sounding in comparison, but it has a more natural and real resonance to the voices/instruments.  This could all be tube combinations though.  Based only on this and for sound quality purposes only (not for power), I would probably get the Line Magnetic and see about putting in PSVANE preamp and driver tubes.  The 508 is more powerful at 48 watts.