Why is there no love for Prima Luna?


I have noticed fairly negative comments on Prima Luna in various discussions. Granted, I’ve never heard their gear but they seem to offer quite a value proposition. Point to point wiring, auto bias, protection circuits, easy tube rolling, good parts and build quality. I had considered looking into the Evo series integrated but the brand seems to be downplayed on this forum. Anyone have direct experience as to why?
cincyhound

Showing 4 responses by verdantaudio

@joms  I have demo’d a PrimaLuna integrated with the 805 D3.  Awful match. The 805 D3 is a hard speaker to drive.  The sound was thin and soundstage really didn’t come together.  
There are tube amps that can drive them but PrimaLuna would not be my choice.  
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.  
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.  
@drcjj I have listened to Cary gear.  Step up from PrimaLuna IMO, step down from ARC.  
I would check out the VTL integrated if it is powerful enough in triode mode for your speakers. VTL will be equal to ARC in terms of sound quality.  Made in USA.  
The Musical Fidelity NuVistas are wonderful sounding amp.  They are a hybrid model with a Class A, tube based input stage and SS output stage. The NuVista 600 or 800 would be brilliant and are made in Taiwan, not PRC.  
An even better  option in this design would be the AVM Ovation A 8.3 integrated.  Tube based input stage, MOSFET output stage.  Not cheap, but an amazing sounding integrated amp.  Made in Germany.

I have no affiliation with VTL other than I was a happy owned for a stretch.  I am an MF and AVM dealer.  

Good luck.