Why is there no love for Prima Luna?
Honestly, I think is where it's made. Out loud most Americans, smile, with their pocket books, and money spent in the west.. People are strange. I know I am. I try to spend in my town, local produce, everything I can. I've heard a few of their units, yes they are very nice.. BUT not nice enough... Regards |
Good equipment....requires the right speakers to pair with it, like anything. I have had great (Scansonic) and bad (B&W 805) experiences with PrimaLuna . I think they market themselves as amps that border on bulletproof and can work with any speaker (within reason) and my experience is that is far from the truth. They behave like any modestly priced tube amps which is amazing with speakers that have the right impedance curve and poorly with speakers that are a challenge to drive. That being said, I am 100% certain made-in-china is a ding against them. Lot's of folks would rather support western brands. Roll those two things together...you get a group of people that love them and a group that really doesn't. |
I read many good things about them when I was doing research about this for my system. I'm not sure what you're seeing, but one other way to gauge gear is how often it's put up for sale, used. Some gear is very hard to find used, while other stuff is always available. Part of that can be attributed to the overall volume sold, but in some cases, it reflects dissatisfaction which emerges down the road. In other words, another way to pose your question would be, "How do people explain why they give up PL, and what do they trade up for?" |
I know guy who bought one at a dealer shop and then sold it shortly after. He had more difficult load speakers not designed to work best with tube amps. So it was just a system mismatch nothing wrong with the amp itself. I think many people just fall in love with tube amps and end up with mismatched systems. Primaluna seems to have good distribution in the US and offers good value so I think there are more cases with those mainly because there are more of those out there than most tube amps. |
10 year PL user here. Do a search to find years of positive user reviews. No brand is going to satisfy every set of ears or be a match for every set of speakers. The PL lineup is perfect for the first time tube user who doesn't want to fuss with traditional tube amp issues. Pretty much a plug and play box. It's the "Made in China" factor that maybe turns off potential users and perhaps the "know it all" audio geniuses who downplay the brand. The parts/build quality is on par with more expensive brands. Reliability and warranty support is good. Sound quality is going to be your own ears and the speakers you choose. No "fake information" on the website. |
oldhvymec is right. Its politically incorrect to say it. If we don't stop the steal then soon it will be illegal to say it. But the fact is China is the CCP. Every business in China is controlled by the CCP. Every single one. State sanctioned piracy, no rule of law, social credit scores that make every single one of its billion plus people prisoners of one sort or another. That's the truth, and straight from my friend who is a Chinese national. So don't blame me. The Chinese people themselves know the truth and its worse than we are allowed to say, even here in America. So the only reason to buy anything made in China is either full on outright ignorance, or an obsession with cheaping out strong enough to override all that. Or both. Its nuts because they don't even make the best amps. For that there are plenty of alternatives made right here in the USA. Better sound quality, better even on the basis of value for dollar. |
plenty of love for primaluna, some folks knock it as well, like anything else - i think the measurement crowd especially like to bash the pl amps very good amps in absolute s.q., great value for performance and features offered are they as good as the best tube amps that cost a lot more? i don’t think so (from personal experience i still prefer audio research and more recently, linear tube audio) the made in china thing held against it is for real - whether justified or not; like racism and misogyny - whether people say it out loud or not, its there, alot more folks have it in their hearts than they express for fear of backlash |
Don’t forget to not buy any Chinese made cell phones, computers, etc. either, right? It’s a global economy. That’s a fact and a good thing! We are all interconnected and can’t just ignore each other when things do not go as one might prefer. Different countries have different strengths (and weaknesses) to bring to the table. It’s freedom of choice to create the right collaboration that makes things right. It also gains one leverage to do more than merely complain perhaps when things happen elsewhere that shouldn’t. Not defending politics in China nor anywhere else. Taiwan is a great option as are other far eastern countries to partner with. Of course everyone has the right to not buy anything from anyone they prefer not to. It all works out in the end. Climate is also a global thing. You can choose to ignore it but when it becomes a problem, only global cooperation can address it. Good solutions to real problems that affect everyone benefit all involved. |
I think high-end audio’s appeal is obviously based on superior sound quality, but other factors including build quality, long-term reliability (think decades, not just years), servicing and parts, and pride of ownership play a much bigger role when compared to consumer-grade equipment. Most Chinese brands simply don’t have enough history or reliability perception ... yet. Many also worry about post sales service and availability of parts 3-5 years down the road. Just like Japan, I’m sure the Chinese will address these concerns in time. But I don’t think we’re there yet in the context of high end audio. A few weeks ago, I talked to (in person) one of the guys who works for Raven Audio. We were comparing Primulana with Raven, and one of the points he made resonated with me. The price you pay for your Primaluna includes transportation costs, advertising costs, and dealer markup. Raven, on the other hand, bypasses dealers, spends way less on advertising, and their profit margins are not significant. The differential shows up in quality. Of course, this is somewhat subjective, but when we compared the Primaluna with Raven Blackhawk sitting side by side, the Raven looked a class apart based on looks and build quality. At least during that audition, my impression was that Primaluna sounded more like an SS, but with all the tubey goodness. The Blackhawk had more midrange magic and sounded more lush (in a good way). |
My thoughts: I owned a Prima Luna integrated and thought it was pretty good. I adopted by daughter from China when she was 9 months old. She is now 16. I have been in China on more than one occasion. The people are oppressed. I have talked to many of them. It is a global economy and in many cases is a good thing. However, I think we as Americans (me included) have without really thinking about it lost sight of freedom and even more important but sad is the fact that we don't stand up for those who are severely persecuted around the world (e.g. China gulags-they are real. I could go on about the human right abuses. I think these are more important than the climate concern. Behinds the scenes China is pushing the climate issue-guess why). What should we do business with the CCP? Our leaders have/are pushing us into something that will probably turn out to be sinister. Maybe we should as Americans reconsider where we spend our money and not trust bought and controlled politicians. Another sobering thought is the fact that I don't think we as free as we might think. Things are changing.... Just my thoughts-don't hate me. |
Why is there no love for Prima Luna? Think I said it once before when I saw this, because this model’s output rings like a bell in the ultrasonic and it’s frequency response into 4ohms a simulated quite easy speaker load is + - 5dB across 20hz-20khz (black trace) indicating a very coloured sounding amplifier . https://www.stereophile.com/images/1116PLPPfig02.jpg And here’s the ultra sonic ringing superimposing itself on a 10k square wave, https://www.stereophile.com/images/1116PLPPfig03.jpg "almost" looks as bad as a Class-D sawtooth ringing on a test square wave, unfiltered by the test gear. https://ibb.co/p2c64HL Cheers George |
OK, I seem to have opened a can of worms here. I knew that being manufactured in China may be part of it, but expected the more numerous issues to revolve around the sound or build quality, parts or service issues or even reliability. Let me ask a different question - As a tube newbie that has been SS (Sansui, Marantz, Hafler, Luxman, Denon & Yamaha) for around 40 years what would be a recommended tube integrated to purchase that will drive efficient speakers (I sold the Dahlquist DQ 10s quite a few years ago) in a medium size, carpeted basement room? Budget for amp is max around $7,000. Bonus points for auto bias since I'm a tube newbie. |
"So the only reason to buy anything made in China is either full on outright ignorance, or an obsession with cheaping out strong enough to override all that. Or both." Chuck Miller's System - Virtual Systems (audiogon.com) Melody I880 Tube Integrated Amp "...the company decided to invest heavily by building a factory in Shenzhen located near the emerging city of Hong Kong." Melody HiFi |
2 of my 3 integrated amps - Ayon Audio Spirit 2 & Line Magnetic 518IA require manual biasing; it takes less than 5 minutes to check and, adjust if necessary, every once in awhile. My point being that biasing shouldn't scare you away from potential amps, just ask up front what is involved with biasing the specific amp. What are the speakers and their efficiency/impedance? |
I just like my Prologue One integrated. Have had it for years, now. The piece melds perfectly with the rest of my components. Tubes last for a good long time. Troubles have been few and very far between. When I lived in L.A., I'd drag it to high end stores to do direct comparisons with the stores' integrateds. It gave every other integrated a run for its money. Even the sales people at those shops had to admit that it sounded damnably good. While it is true I'd be happier if it were assembled someplace else, it has proven its worth. It might be said, too, that though it's turned out that the PrimaLuna is my only Chinese piece of audio gear, in this particular moment in history it is just plain difficult to avoid buying Chinese-sourced goods of any ilk. |
For starters ,not too many people are thrilled with the China virus Cover up for 6 weeks before letting other in on it , I for one donot buy Anything from China Period. Taiwan ,Hong Kong no problem they are pro America .youhave products like Ayon and their class leading microprocessor biasing ,starting under $3k night and day better then standard auto biasing for tube wear,and nice Built in Austria machined case work, not sheet metal,world class Lundahl transformers ,and chokes much better then a Torroidal for tubes .I think this is a good opening argument . |
So a lot of this text was done on China-free hardware? Impressive! You also must go home to China-free households? double impressive. You guys win the internet. cincyhound, you should just do an in home demo and let your ears open your wallet, not anyone here. Prima Luna, Raven, whatever. Both companies offer home trials. Everyone here including myself is an audio genius, but disagrees with the other geniuses. |
@glupson Chuck Miller’s System - Virtual Systems (audiogon.com) Melody I880 Tube Integrated Amp "...the company decided to invest heavily by building a factory in Shenzhen located near the emerging city of Hong Kong." Melody HiFi man, glupson --- now you are just being downright MEAN!!!! hahahahahahahahahahahahaha |
I own the PL Dialogue Premium Hp integrated Amp and push a pair of Focal Sopra 2’s and love the amp and the speaker combo. Nothing but positive things to say. Though one thing I have learned about matching gear. there has to be a good match for most of the equipment to achieve proper compatibility. It’s not just with Prima Luna, it’s across the board it this expensive hobby we love. |
I'm hardly an expert, but picked up a Prologue 2 integrated about a month ago and couldn't be happier. I'm currently running Fritz Carbon 6s and Soliloquy 5.3s (auditioning the Fritz, so the sets are rotating in and out of the system), and the amp runs them without breaking a sweat - large room, but not head-banging levels. With either speakers, I notice a presence that was lacking in my previous SS amps and a bit of warmth that doesn't go to the old-school-tube-amp level of softness. Bottom line, the system sounds honest, accurate, and musical. Better or more experienced ears might find fault, but I'm satisfied and finding myself far more involved in the music. |
Love my prima luna preamp. Yes some guilt about not buying american, but the price is right. Drives my carver tube amp and makes my Goldenear Ref’s sing. I support american when i can, but if everyone that knocks china products would do an inventory in their home of Chinese good, they too would find their money is going that way... |
Well, I'm a satisfied Primaluna Dialogue HP Premium Integrated owner. I've tried many other tube amps in order from ARC D76A, ARC D76B, ASL-USA 845 SET, and now my PL.
The one piece of tube gear I didn't get to try that I wanted to was Raven Audio. I auditioned a number of SS integrated amps as well and I really liked a few of them (Krell & Pass) but I couldn't see spending so much on the SS when I really liked the overall sound of the PL. I don't really care where its made. I bought it in the US from US dealers who make US profits and pay US taxes. Most of the equipment components from US manufacturers are made overseas (China) anyway. Anyway, I've further enhanced my PL as I generally liked the sound by rolling in some different tubes and a SR Orange fuse. The PL drives my XStatic EC/X full-range electrostatics wonderfully, though they could use a bit more power. I guess why they make different equipment is because we all have different ears. You should always trust your ears, not mine nor anyone else's. |
Love my prima luna preamp. Yes some guilt about not buying american, but the price is right. Drives my carver tube amp and makes my Goldenear Ref’s sing. I support american when i can, but if everyone that knocks china products would do an inventory in their home of Chinese good, they too would find their money is going that way... |
It depends on how efficient but there are tons of integrated amps $7K or under that will do the job. One option is KR. They are best known for their tubes, but they also make lovely amplifiers. The KR V880 Integrated is a 50w integrated with a SS, Class A input stage and a KT88 based output stage. They make some darn nice amps. If you have more efficient speakers and don’t need 50w you could look at a SET. Nothing from KR or Art Audio (I import both brands) is that inexpensive but Cary, Audion, line magnetic and I am sure dozens of others are available in a sub $7k price range. |
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