PrimaLuna Evolution Series

Discussion in 'Audio Hardware' started by Jeremy B., Mar 26, 2019.

  1. Jeremy B.

    Jeremy B. Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    NYC
    Anyone heard anything about these?

    The top of the line Evo 400 has very similar specs to the Dialogue Premium HP (which I bought in December and love dearly). Hard to tell where the improvements/differences may lie. The webpages for these products borrow the descriptions from the Dialogue series basically wholesale. Only real difference I spot is they've apparently switched to DuRoch tinfoil capacitors, from SCR tinfoil capacitors. Oh, and looks like they've added an RCA tape out, too.

    Looks like they've also added a headphone jack to the model that replaces the Dialogue Premium (now called the Evo 300).

    PrimaLuna Evo 400 Tube Integrated — PrimaLuna USA

    PrimaLuna Evo 300 Tube Integrated — PrimaLuna USA

    There's now a DAC too, but that probably deserves its own thread.
     
    Last edited: Mar 26, 2019
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  2. IGD Positive

    IGD Positive Forum Resident

    Location:
    Inner groove
    I also see a stereo/mono switch on the Evo which I don't think was on the Dialogue Premium HP.
     
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  3. Jeremy B.

    Jeremy B. Forum Resident Thread Starter

    Location:
    NYC
    I think that switch might just be for the subwoofer out, but you're right, that isn't on the HP.
     
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  4. googlymoogly

    googlymoogly Forum Resident

    Isn't that just to be able to switch between using the amps as monoblocks (one per channel) or as an integrated stereo amp?
     
  5. IGD Positive

    IGD Positive Forum Resident

    Location:
    Inner groove
    You might be right. It was just something that jumped out at me as different.

    Maybe. Nothing on the page describes what it does as far as I can see.
     
  6. LivLif

    LivLif Forum Resident

    Location:
    US
    Coolest addition to me is the balanced inputs. I’d love an Evo 300
     
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  7. HiFi Guy

    HiFi Guy Forum Resident

    Location:
    Lakeland, FL
    The switch is for stereo/mono subwoofer out.

    And I'll agree with @Jeremy Bunting - I love my Dialogue HP integrated.
     
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  8. Squiggsy68

    Squiggsy68 Forum Resident

    I bought my PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium HP Integrated ex-demo from a UK dealer as he'd run out of stock - and the new ones he had coming in were already spoken for . This was back in early January - and the 'new ones' that came in were the Evo models, so they've been out in the wild for a few months but I couldn't see anything online until this thread. Dealer said on first listen he couldn't hear any difference sound wise between the old / new models so it really does seem like it's an Evolution rather than a step change.

    Having said that - I'm not sure it needed to be. This is my first valve (tube!) amp and have to say it's been the biggest single improvement to my ears that I've ever made in my main system. Absolutely thrilled with it - even more so given that as ex-demo I basically got an as new piece of kit for a chunk off retail price. It's feeling more like a bargain every time I listen to it.

    **EDIT** Not least because I just looked at the price of the new model. Currently the EVO 400 is over £1000 more expensive at list price than the Dialogue Premium HP Integrated was!!! Wow.
     
    Last edited: Mar 27, 2019
  9. jenkovix

    jenkovix Forum Resident

    Location:
    Europe, Hungary
    Primaluna prices are rocketing! :wtf:
     
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  10. Hudo

    Hudo Forum Resident

    Location:
    Dublin, Ireland
    I knew Evo line is coming so I asked for a nice discount on new Prologue Premium pre and got it:) Didn't want to pay full retail price of a new product which usually goes down in year/two.
    Based on specs, its very similar, maybe just "tuned" to different sound, but with tube rolling you can get sound you want anyway, since its already really great piece of gear.

    But looking forward to some reviews and hopefully comparisons with older versions.
     
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  11. IGD Positive

    IGD Positive Forum Resident

    Location:
    Inner groove
    Where do you see balanced inputs?
     
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  12. JackG

    JackG Forum Resident

    Location:
    NJ
    They're on the power amp, not the integrated.

    Would love to know more about the "optional" MM stage.
     
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  13. IGD Positive

    IGD Positive Forum Resident

    Location:
    Inner groove
    Ahhhh cool. I didn't realize they had all the new models up. That is nice. Not that it's entirely necessary for me but I was hoping they'd eventually have some balanced inputs on their stuff just for the sake of flexibility.
     
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  14. Subagent

    Subagent down the rabbit hole, they argue over esoterica

    Location:
    Arlington, VA
    In the past, at least, the phono stage for PrimaLuna products has been an add-in card that can be installed by the dealer or a competent DIYer.
     
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  15. JackG

    JackG Forum Resident

    Location:
    NJ
    Tube phono was a pipe dream. :)
     
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  16. HiFi Guy

    HiFi Guy Forum Resident

    Location:
    Lakeland, FL
    It'd be nice if they added a stand alone phono stage to the Evolution line.
     
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  17. displayname

    displayname Forum Resident

    Location:
    Dallas
    I've been looking at these since they announced them on instagram a week or two ago. I haven't seen them in person, but I've been driving into the product pages and specs and what not.
    All in all I think the integrated amps all getting a headphone output is a great touch and real value add. I also like the EVO 100 line vs the Prologue Classic. I think this series makes more sense and gives people more "entrances" to the brand.

    When it comes to the pre and power amps, I'd say get the models that are heading out now. I think they are starting to cash in on the brand name they've built over the years, which is fine. Given the life cycles of these products, they can probably also keep one price through the whole product life vs upping it a little every year or two. Seems reasonable.

    They've also added one DAC so far. I say "so far" because I think it's interesting they called it the EVO 100 DAC instead of the EVO DAC. I'm somewhat wondering if a new CD player, streamer, and/or higher end digital components are coming. I think a streamer/digital hub would be a nice addition to the line. We'll see.
     
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  18. sunmoon95

    sunmoon95 Active Member

    Location:
    Michigan
    PrimaLuna at AXPONA, 12-14 April 2019
    Posted on 10/04/2019 by beheerder


    Shared by Upscale Audio.

    PrimaLuna’s new EVO Series of Tube Electronics will make its North American trade show debut next week at AXPONA, 12-14 April, at the Renaissance Schaumberg Hotel and Convention Center, Schaumberg, IL. PrimaLuna will unveil this innovative new product line in the Inspiration Room, on the main floor. Kevin Deal, President, and Anthony Chiarella, National Sales Manager, will be on hand to demonstrate product and answer questions.

    It has been nearly a decade since PrimaLuna has introduced an entirely refreshed product line and PrimaLuna fans will find the new EVO series shares the previous line’s DNA. The new products feature upgraded transformers and internal components, improved aesthetics (rounded faceplate edges, Roll-Top tube cages on all models, etc) and an enhanced features set including headphone amplifiers on all integrated amplifiers and true-balanced, transformer-coupled XLR inputs and outputs on upper-end models. Just as importantly is what hasn’t changed, including the metaculous hand-assembly, point-to-point wiring, superlative build quality and cutting-edge Adaptive Auto-Bias (TM) circuitry upon which PrimaLuna has built its reputation.
     
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  19. MichaelArcane

    MichaelArcane Purveyor of Terrible Opinions

    Location:
    Memphis, TN
    One thing they fixed in the EVO line is the previous issue some users experienced with GoldenEar Triton's with built in powered subwoofers. I had called them when I purchased the EVO 400 Integrated to see if I would need to send for a 82 ohm wirewound resistor (their workaround listed on the site) as I am using a pair of Triton 3+. They said the issue that issue is fixed in the EVO line, and I can confirm I have not experienced any of the issues I'd read about with any bass flutter or the amp.
     
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  20. Rushfan71

    Rushfan71 Member

    Location:
    Fall River, Ma
    The Dialogue Premium HP has a stereo / mono switch just to the right of the inputs. Can be run as monoblocks
     
  21. OC Zed

    OC Zed Bludgeon Riffola

    Location:
    Costa Mesa, CA
    Bumping this thread for any experiences with the EVO series. My EVO 300 is coming in this week and would love to hear any insights folks might have with it.
     
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  22. MichaelArcane

    MichaelArcane Purveyor of Terrible Opinions

    Location:
    Memphis, TN
    Have been listening to mine all morning, what do you wanna know?
     
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  23. OC Zed

    OC Zed Bludgeon Riffola

    Location:
    Costa Mesa, CA
    How would you describe the sounds you’re getting from the amp? Are there certain genres or tunes that you feel it excels? Have there been any problems or anything weird so far? And are you still using stock tubes?

    Any feedback is greatly appreciated. :)
     
  24. Echo's Answer

    Echo's Answer Forum Resident

    Location:
    Chicago, IL
    I’d like to know how often do you use triode mode? Can you tell a big difference?

    I’m still deciding between the 200 and 300
     
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  25. HiFi Guy

    HiFi Guy Forum Resident

    Location:
    Lakeland, FL
    I have a Dialogue HP integrated. The difference between ultralinear and triode is very subtle. I almost never use triode, although it is useful for taming bass heavy recordings.

    It's not enough of a difference on which to base a buying decision.
     
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