Primaluna Integrated with a seperate preamp

I’m a believer in separates, and I have a Don Sachs Model 2 Preamp, with a pair of PSVANE Treasure CV181 + a pair of Shuguang CV181 on buffer. But I chose the Primaluna Dialogue Premium Integrated, among other reasons, for having a preamp bypass or HT section, that allows flexibility to be used with or without a separate preamp. Why didn’t I just buy the Dialogue Power Amp? Well experience taught me that Integrateds are a lot easier to sell later on, just in case.
My other amp is a Line Magnetic 518 Integrated Amplifier, a SET amplifier utilizing 845 tubes, which also has a bypass called Pre-In. The 518s preamp section is "so-so" and using it as a power amp takes it to another level. I have purchased about 8 various preamps, from solid state to tube preamps, until I tried Don Sachs’ preamp, that finally ended my search.
Now back to the Dialogue Integrated + a Preamp. The built-in preamp section of the Dialogue is dead quiet as you all know already, and is a decent preamp. But it is not a great preamp section. After almost 40 hours of burning in my Dialogue and using it as an integrated, I decided to finally use the HT input and connect my Don Sachs Model 2 Preamp. The result was a shift from 1st gear to 4th. The soundstage just became wider and deeper, with imaging becoming more holographic. Clarity and details were enhanced. Bass has more weight and finesse, with a layered texture. Decay and nuance in notes is accentuated further with the preamp. Everything just got better by a mile. Now the burning in will continue with my Dialogue Premium Integrated on HT + my Preamp.
I just have to live with the slight hum/noise on the HT input, that might be getting emphasized by the high sensitivity of my Tekton Design Lore speakers at 96db, but its not more than usual for tube power amps.
So yes, the Dialogue Premium Integrated is also a great performing Power Amp when combined with a stellar Preamp.

Use an outboard preamp to the Primaluna, and then use outboard power amps instead of the one in the integrated. This approach makes absolutely no sense, but I'm tossing it in anyway to encourage the use of gonzo or actually inane solutions.

It’s called Versatility wolf_garcia. Not a lot of amplifiers out there are both an Integrated and a Power Amp. These Primalunas are, and among the few that are highly capable and solid performers.
Equipment breaks down, tubes become noisy and all of sudden die out, and if my separate preamp does that and am out of spares, it will not stop me from playing and enjoying music because I will just connect everything direct to my Dialogue. Flexibility. Options. I’ve been in this hobby long enough to know these are important things. Peace and enjoy your music..

My comment was inane, and I'm sticking with it. This is an important thing.

Odyssey7 I agree the PL power amp is fantastic on its own. I have found Winged "C" EL34 tubes offer the best overall sound IMO. The Gold Lion KT88 also are very good but if one prefers EL34's the Winged C's are the shiznit or at least in my system.   

I started going the separates route and ended up with a BAT VK55 amp and VK31SE preamp. Fantastic combo however, I am chasing down the right power cord combination but getting close. I will try the BAT VK31SE soon with the PL to see how it mates up. From your review of the Don Sachs it sounds like it is one hell of a unit and obviously compliments the PL very very well?  After using the LS-26 mentioned in my above post I was thinking the PL didn't respond well to a separate preamp.