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
I had a Prima Luna Evo 100 mated to Focal Aria 906 stand mounts driven by a Cambridge Audio CXA80 integrated amp and streaming Qobuz through a CA CXN V2 and in my small 14' x 12' room sounded absolutely great, to my ears. Try to find a used PL integrated amp on the used market. They are few and far between. That should tell you something. People who buy them tend to keep them. 
No fan of the CCP and I'm sure all of you out there with your iPhones aren't either.
That being said, I use Primaluna Dialogue Premium separates.
I've haven't had one hiccup since I've owned them. Yes they're built like a tank. Have a look on Google and see the insides of there products.
As far as speakers, I only have higher sensitivity speakers, but they sure do make Tekton Double Impacts and Klipsch Forte II's sing.

millercarbon 6,813 posts

12-04-2020 2:12am

Also for the record, I never mentioned stop the steal.


Post #14 of this thread:

millercarbon 6,813 posts

12-03-2020 12:29pm

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.
@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.  
Very happy owner of a PL Prologue Classic integrated for close to 2 yrs now.  It’s driving 42 yr old JBLs (L65s) and probably the perfect tube amp for me given my budget and disinclination to fiddle with adjustments.  Previously, my L 65s were powered by a Pioneer SX-1250, a Denon PMA 700V integrated, and as fronts in an HT setup with a Sony ES series 5.1 receiver.  Hands down, the Primaluna has given me the best sound quality of all these combinations.  I did swap the stock EL 34 tubes for Gold Lion KT 77s this year which have suited my ears significantly better but even with the stock power tubes it’s been the best SQ I’ve experienced thru my speakers heretofore.

My guess on the “lack of love” thing is a mix of geo-political prejudices and the possible SQ improvements one might be able to eek out of a more tweak-friendly component.....sort of a “full racetrack modified Porsche vs a showroom Porsche” analogy here...