Kevin at UpScaleAudio, here's an idea that I think many on this thread might like. If you go through with the sound challenge or something like it, make a video of it and then post it on your YouTube channel. I would love to watch the event and I bet others would too. It would be awesome and quite a learning experience. You could explain how the setup was done and the proper way of auditioning equipment and comparing them to one another. Please consider it. Thanks.
Considering switching from Audio Research to PrimaLuna, troube with VS115 amp
Hello everyone, I have question that I hope some of you either can answer or have an opinion on. Ever since I was 17, I have always wanted to own Audio Research equipment. I’m 56 now, and finally was able to fulfill my life long dream. My first acquisition was an ARC LS15 pre-amp bought here used in mint condition. I paired it with a Vincent 331MK hybrid amp also bought here used in mint condition. The resulting sound was impressive. After that, I started looking for an ARC amp I could afford. The resulting search found me an ARC VS115 amp also here in used, awesome condition. This is where my problems and my doubts started. Upon hooking up the amp to my system, a tube in the left channel arced and blew a resistor. I had to take the amp to an ARC dealer and he installed a new resistor and suggested I buy all new tubes from ARC for the amp. I did and when I got back home, I again hooked up the amp and immediately upon turning the amp on, I started to hear thumping sounds coming from my left speaker, then, two left channel output tubes started to glow a very bright orange, and then white smoke started to rise from one of the tube sockets. I immediately turned the amp off. I called the dealer and he suggested I mail the unit back to ARC. I did and I am now waiting to see what they say.
During this time, I started to search out other brands and came across one called PrimaLuna. I have watched their videos and seen them compared to ARC equipment. Their build quality seems to be superior to ARC and the reviews are over the top. I am looking at their Dialogue Premium HP amp and their Dialogue Premium pre-amp. For what they cost, considering how they are built and supposedly sound compared to units costing 3 to 4 times their price, they almost seem too good to be true. Anyway, my bubble has been burst, and in simple terms, I am considering jumping ship and going with another company instead of ARC, despite all those years of drooling and waiting.
My main question is this, is there anyone out there that either owns PrimaLuna or has had experience with the equipment and can give me their opinion on owning and using it. Then, my second question is how does PrimaLuna really compare to other high end equipment such as ARC. Kevin Deal in his videos on PrimaLuna makes a very compelling case for the equipment. In one video, he compares an ARC LS17SE to the PrimaLuna pre-amp.
My last question is in regards to my ARC VS115 amp problems. Anyone have an opinion on what is going on with my amp or a VS115 in general. For those of you who want to know what else is in my system, I am using KEF 104ab speakers, a Cambridge Azur 752BD Blu-ray player as my CD player, Morrow Audio Cables and I am considering getting the Sony HAP-Z1ES music player for my digital files.
I greatly appreciate all who take the time to comment and give their opinions. I will be glad to answer any questions you may ask or provide additional. Thanks for your help. Steve.
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Kevin at UpScaleAudio, here's an idea that I think many on this thread might like. If you go through with the sound challenge or something like it, make a video of it and then post it on your YouTube channel. I don't know what to put up on Youtube but I guess we could show how to A/B gear. It isn't rocket science. With SOME tube amps you can switch from one to another hot. A new employee here was doing an A/B for a customer between the DiaLogue Premium preamp and the PS Audio BHK. The customer liked dynamic music which included hip hop etc. I left them alone and they came to the conclusion the BHK was MUCH MORE dynamic than the PrimaLuna. I don't doubt that the two can be a little different. The BHK is a hybrid after all. But MUCH MORE DYNAMIC? Nope. I asked if they came to this conclusion in a level matched A/B...they said no. I used an SPL and set it up to compare the two again...and they were both shocked how wrong they were. The louder demo will 99% of the time sound better. Now...level matched...the customer went for the PrimaLuna though I will tell you in this case it's a difference in color. When you get to the best preamps that's how it goes. The best example I know of is back in the late 70's stereo stores used switch boxes to go between speakers. If we left a customer alone to flip a switch between and choose either 88dB Advents and 96dB Cerwin Vegas....the Cerwin Vegas would always "win". |
who was the first to show experimentally that volume was so important? Here's some links. Some of this is kind of propeller head. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fletcher%E2%80%93Munson_curves https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robinson%E2%80%93Dadson_curves This sums it all up well below http://www.lindos.co.uk/cgi-bin/FlexiData.cgi?SOURCE=Articles&VIEW=full&id=17 Hence the importance of exact same volume and conditions. |
I can't tell much beyond tonal balance differences in an A/B test unless other differences are rather gross. I'm a believer in bringing a new one home, after you haven't changed your home setup in a month or more. Improvements should register fairly quickly. Sideways moves and downgrades are trickier, and should be assumed in the absence of improvements, unless you have a month to get used to the new candidate before switching back. |
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