Primaluna or Octave to drive Dynaudio X34s


I love my Dyn X34s. Have been happily driving them last couple of years with a Musical Fidelity M5si. Getting upgrade itch and if I do upgrade I want to make sure I get ROI on investment and get a different sound. I have always enjoyed tube demos when I have heard them and liked the sound. My understanding of my speakers is they need heavy current to be driven properly.  Current room is 10 x 12. I'd be interested to hear informed opinions from Dynaudio users or dealers on ideal tube pairings. Based on initial research im looking at Primaluna EVO line (200, 300 or 400) or Octave v40/v70. Which Primaluna would be best? Which Octave? What about the Octave vs. Primaluna debate to pair with Dyns? Any options I should be considering? I know there are a few Raven fans on here but I'd prefer to support a local dealer here in Atlanta. 


Current System:

Dyn X34

Musical Fidelity M5si

Rega Planar 2 with Bias 2 cart

Bluesound Node 2

uncrocco

I probably would not pair your speakers with tube amplification because the speakers are fairly insensitive at 86 DB. I don’t know if the impedance dips below eight ohms but most likely it does. I have not heard your speakers but they look to be an ideal pairing with a solid-state muscle lamp

@uncrocco I have the Octave V70 Class A. After hearing the Octave line at a dealer paired with the Dynaudio Confidence 20 and Contour 20 I can say the amp is really a wonderful match for any Dyn speaker. Based on your 86db speakers and depending on how you loud you listen I would suggest the V70 with the Super Black Box. Solid build and stellar sound leaning more towards neutral but amazing dynamics and clarity! I know they are pricey but maybe you can get a demo or deal on them from your dealer. The V70 or V80 are just amazing. Andreas from Octave is very responsive to any questions and won’t try to up-sell you. I started with the V40se driving my Spatial M3 Sapphires. Just wonderful, but I wanted a better grip on the 15"woofers. I took the leap to the V70 Class A and it is by far the best SS or tube amp period IMO. If you can listen to the V40 or V70 I would recommend it. I almost bought the Raven Osprey but glad I went with the Octave. Haven’t heard the Primaluna but many Dynaudio dealers match them with the Octaves I think for good reason. Happy Listening!

86dB....not good for a tube amp. The tube amps you’ve listed may not be much of an upgrade to your amp.

 

Since you have the upgrade itch, I would consider upgrading speakers to something more efficient first.

Of those 2 amps, I would definitely go with the Octave.  

 

I was an octave MRE 130 with Super Black Box owner for years. I was driving B&W Nautilus 800 with great synergy. The B&Ws were 89db efficient. When I lived in Germany, Octave would host an Octave forum at the factory and we would all meet to discuss our equipment and all things Octave. Many folks in Germany who part of that forum in Germany pair Octave with Dynaudio and  greatly enjoy that combination. Might be a clue as to what others who own Octave are using.

I agree that the V70 with Super Black Box would be the minimum Octave product to match with your Dynaudio speakers if those are the speakers you plan on keeping for a while. If you like the sound of your Dynaudio X34s, then experiment with these other amps if possible to see what matches and synthesizes with your tastes. Otherwise, roll the dice and see if like them. 
 

I have since went in an entirely different directions with my system. Sold my Octave  and B&W and now own McIntosh MC2301 paired with Classic Audio Loudspeakers  T1.5 reference. I am done. 
 

Good luck.