Minimalist BS! What You Should Expect from a $5K Tube Integrated w/ Upscale Audio's Kevin Deal

Join Kevin on this product comparison tour. He shows you what to look out for if you're shopping for a high-performance integrated amplifier at any price. Look under the hood and know what to expect from manufacturers. Kevin shows you just how PrimaLuna designs and produces some of the best tube electronics on the market. From proper tube sockets to point-to-point wiring, from serious toroidal transformers to sophisticated volume control assemblies, you'll see that high-performance comes from parts and engineering, not "less-is-more" minimalist corner-cutting.
PrimaLuna at Upscale Audio: upscaleaudio.com/collections/...

[@hhhhhhh803]

I find it interesting how Kevin calls out certain manufacturers for tube sockets being mounted directly to the PCB as well as the tube sockets being mounted too close to capacitors. The BAT VK80i has the same design flaws while costing $12,000 and Kevin has a video where he raves about that amp.

[@allanellis5827]

What a great educational video. Thanks so much Kevin!

[@MrBonger88]

I certainly don’t miss the days of biasing my tubes with a multimeter. Very cool technology in your amps Kevin

[@abxaudiophiles]

GREAT RUNDOWN!!!! Lots of good stuff to help peeps learn in here.. :)

[@petez4608]

Fantastic knowledge sharing. Thank you

[@johnhovanec6240]

Thanks Kevin, I learned alot

[@tweakerman]

Hi Kevin, what's interesting is the amount of abuse I get on my channel for upgrading capacitors, in my equipment. I personally love the Audio Note Kaisei capacitors, they are not cheap, but they are stunning & really transform my equipment. I'm sure some peoples hearing is poor, because if I can hear a big difference, why can't they. Of course, they have to have tried them first before commenting & not one of them has, it does make me wonder. Great video by the way, I love your style 😊👍

[@MrBonger88]

I didn’t realize that there are naysayers when it comes to upgrading caps. Probably people who haven’t heard a direct comparison between an average cap and a really good one

[@dbert5963111]

kevin another good video,, i think you should set one of those output transformers on a nice scale for effect!

[@user-ex9zm7bg3x]

and let's see it before you fill it with goo

[@flemingcourt]

I'm not saying Kevin does not know his stuff, but he also sells this product. Keep that in mind when making your purchases.

[@user-ex9zm7bg3x]

What I keep in mind is how many manufacturers show me the inside of their equipment.

[@amb3cog]

Yea exactly. He can sell any brand he wants to. But he chose this brand because he feels they're the best. And as an experienced audio nerd myself. I agree. Show me one company that goes anywhere near to the extremes that Primaluna does. At anywhere near the same price. You can't. I'm not saying they're perfect. Or that they're for everybody. But they're damn good, and deserve the praise they get. Kevin is a true audio nerd himself. He's not just out to make a buck. He picks quality brands that sell themselves for a good reason. And he has about the best service in the industry too. Not everyone is a crook.✌️

[@sloboat55]

Excellent

[@bruceandt]

Dampening factor…. Liked this presentation. Low noise in tube amps are crucial.

[@amb3cog]

It's "Damping" factor. It's not wet. 🤣 ✌️

[@peterrichard3706]

I always wondered about tube amps. Only tube amp i ever saw was in a Silvania parlor record player , with radio. That thing sounded it,s best was when I put it on 10. Do these amps work the same? Theres no place around here that offer these , sos I can hear them. So... i,ll stick with what i got.

[@ceylonmooney]

goood stuff here. i enjoy such comparisons. these audio companies seem hooked on that godawful "evo" name, but those prima lunas look fantastic.

[@CP-ij8hh]

Excellent sales pitch - almost had me convinced.

[@amb3cog]

I'm not into the tube thing mostly just because I'm not into how they heat up my room. Although I love the sound. But Primaluna really is the best bang for the buck in that arena. Even if you don't like using that term Kevin. How hot does their hybrid run? Because that might be the way to go for myself. The EVO 300 Hybrid has definitely piqued my interest that's for sure. Talk about a tank of an amp! ✌️

[@TheMrgonzalo05]

I have a big capacitor and my girl did choke.

[@babachandrasekhar2452]

You r a good salesman.adaptive auto bias boards are available for 70euro in Europe which can be retrofitted in tube amps.so why is prima Luna so expensive.?

[@jctai100]

Same reason a BMW has 10K worth of steel but goes for 100K

[@tothemax324]

Those bias boards prob cost 2 euro to make and sell for 70, see how it works

[@ridirefain6606]

Expensive compared to what? Have you priced out things from Ayon, ARC, Jadis, VAC, Audionote, lately? They are at obscene price points. If you want to buy cheaper Chi-Fi knock offs, go for it, but expect problems and no support.

[@amb3cog]

Why do you guys even bother responding to block heads like this? You think there's any chance he'll suddenly open his mind to reality, or something like that? Dream on. Just another troll. Please don't feed them. ✌️

[@ridirefain6606]

@@amb3cog To ignore someone spouting off nonsense without exposing it as such is the greater sin. To ignore misinformation is as good as repeating it. It is not about changing the hearts and minds of fools; it is about revealing their lies.

[@stuartmitchell1908]

If he didn't try so hard, he might be believable. The toroidals are £30-50 each

[@kaybhee6]

engineer y rocker too

[@Mark-lq3sb]

Simple, less labor cost means they can use more expensive parts and more complex designs and still make a profit.

[@amb3cog]

They're built on China. As are most other amps nowadays. Yet they don't go to this extreme at all. Look at Cayin for example. Designed and built in China just like Primaluna is. Great sounding amps for sure. And well built too. Highly respected in the audio world. But they don't go to anywhere near the extremes in engineering/parts costs that Primaluna does. They fully deserve the props they get. And it's not simply because of the built on China thing at all. That's only one small part of it. Sorry but your explanation doesn't hold water. ✌️

[@Mark-lq3sb]

@@amb3cog So, you think labor cost has nothing to do with build cost and therefore the final retail cost. You need to attend some business courses at your local university. Wait, maybe high school. It's that easy. BTW, it's not "built on China" built in China" would be correct. LOL!

[@amb3cog]

@@Mark-lq3sb I would be happy to have an actual discussion with you, if you weren't being so disingenuous, and petty. ✌️

[@Mark-lq3sb]

@@amb3cog Bad excuse.

[@xstensl8823]

your a Rega dealer yet you do not promote their product. i just bought the new Rega Elex and i would put it up against a Prima Luna any day. and btw it cost $2k

[@geo.037]

You do except that rating any audio equipment is very subjective. It's awesome you found gear you're pleased with, but statements like that,.... well.....🍺cheers

[@amb3cog]

⁠​⁠@@geo.037IKR comparing Apples to Mangos over here. Some people's children! 🤦‍♂️ ✌️

[@xray111xxx]

Heck don't stop on Tube. SS is thoroughly pissing me off for everything I don't want. My dreams turn into nightmare. I get you are going to get what you pay for. Point to point wiring is a no brainer. I can tell my dumbest buddies. Engineering is expensive. Compromises happen everywhere. Even the PrimaLuna has to Compromise too! It is in where you make those Compromises that count. Bandwidth, and SN, or SINAD. Dynamic range till I am blue in face. I think I am having a myocardial infarction next time I tell someone about 35 watts per channel is all you need. Not dilithium power 1,000,000,000 watts. Audio sucks because people hear the latest flavor must have and buy. They don't save, not that that is easy to do. They don't "listen". Everything is stupid expensive, and it is only getting worse, so why would you be stupid buying a $6500.00 Denon AVR Schiit box?! There is a difference from great Engineering, and quality, and the list of toys you want, you don't use anyway. I buy all older schiit these days, and restore it. My latest project is a Technics RS-M280 starting with the transport. What a schiit show this is. Worth it though. Kevin can say this till he blue in the face, and less than 1% who see this will get it. The PrimaLuna I bought from Kevin too many moons ago a Prologue 2, still going to this day. My Girlfriend loves it. Don't ask. Complicated. But she loves it. Playing classical violin might have something to do about it. I don't need to read anything, I know, PrimaLuna are the real deal. I am heavily involved in my church audio and video, and photography. Insane the time that eats. Crazy memories Kevin makes me have. Old TV stuff. GAD. Relay input switching unless you like hearing some 1000 watt trucker's linear. LOL. Much love to Kevin and the crew at UA.

[@amb3cog]

Check out Angela Gilbert Yeung, and Audio by Van Alstine. They still do hand soldered point to point solid state (and tube for AVA), and in the USA no less. With no frills added. If that's what you're looking for, and you should be. ✌️

[@Prometheus1979]

I highly doubt 5grand is a lot of money to you. Million dollar house with focal grand utopia speakers. lol right.