PrimaLuna EVO 100 Tube Phonostage w/ Upscale Audio's Kevin Deal

upscaleaudio.c...
Our service manager looked at the schematic and the insides of the PrimaLuna EVO 100 Tube Phonostage and described it as "killing a fly with a bazooka." As a hi-fi enthusiast, this is exactly what you want, because it will let you get every teeny-tiny bit of detail, every leading edge, and all of the emotion of the music.
"This is different from anything I've ever seen," says Kevin as he dives into what makes the EVO 100 Phono one of the most interesting products to cross our path. Only PrimaLuna can innovate this way while also staying true to solid, classic, sensible design.

[@a3marketing991]

I'm considering this phonostage now. Thanks for the video.

[@scratchback2001]

I want one. My Primaluna Integrated amplifier is still running beautifully after 7 years. Andrew from Australia

[@linnemeyerhere]

Great job Kevin, your passion for PL rings through with each new product.

[@greggb681]

I have been waiting for this video! HOLY FUCK I NEED THIS!!!!

[@rvickner]

Would have loved to see some balanced XLR outs but I'll probabkly still buy one lol

[@edbrumbaugh9202]

Just read an article on the Nagra HD Phono ($87,500 USD) ... I have to say, the Naga HD Phono isn't $83,500 better than this PrimaLuna Tube Phonostage. Hands down, I'd buy this PrimaLuna ponostage over any other brand and put it with my EVO300 integrated & EVO100 DAC. Thanks again Kevin for another great PrimaLuna product breakdown and video.

[@GOHoNZ]

I’m looking forward to this. My PrimaLuna separates perform beautifully in my system, and it was only when I added the PrimaLuna DAC that my streaming gear surpassed my turntable gear in sound quality. Time for this upgrade!

[@MikeGervasi]

Same here. I got a SS phonostage from Upscale a few months back as a Tubebox DS was noisy at 60DB gain. However ,vinyl now sounds good but HiRes sounds better. I'm certain this Primaluna sounds amazing but right now..unless I'm trading stuff back in I don't see me getting one.

[@TheMrgonzalo05]

​@Mike Gervasi what service do you use?

[@TheMrgonzalo05]

​@Mike Gervasi what service do you use?

[@d.w.96318]

Who goes to marketing schools anymore when you have this?

[@toddcovington1172]

How would this compare to a Manley Chinook?

[@sittnonchrome]

@Kat O Thanks for this reply, Kat. I was wondering the same as Ive been looking to upgrade to the Chinook.

[@spark7516]

Great job, Kevin. Been looking forward to this video for a while. I have a PL EVO 300 Hybrid and play 95% vinyl. I have a low output .3mv Phasemation PP-200 cart. From your comments on the gain settings, I am wondering if this will work. What are your thoughts?

[@GOHoNZ]

This just arrived today. Now I am putting the new PrimaLuna phonostage through its paces. This phonostage does not disappoint! My records now sound better than streaming!! However, this poses an imminent hazard of expanding my record collection, and a risk of loneliness due to addictive playback.

[@slayerhammer]

WELPPPPPPP, time to save up and finish the EVO 100 stack

[@slayerhammer]

@Kat O Ive got the int. Amp and DAC..now it's time to save up the pennies for this . Seriously, you guys ( and gals) fucking rule! \m/ \m/

[@Tnapvrvideo]

What are your overall thoughts comparing the EAT E-GLO S and this EVO 100. They're both very impressive, and they cost almost the same. Are they very similar in their adjustability? We have an EVO 300 powering a pair of LaScala AL5s. We only play CD's at this time. We are now looking to add vinyl to the system. I haven't yet chosen a turntable. I wanted to start with the phono preamp so we can then demo turntables with our system completed allowing us to choose the turntable and cartridge(s) based on how they sound in this system. The E-GLO 3 S and EVO 100 have impressive adjustability to match cartridges. Thank you!

[@GOHoNZ]

I already have a BDI Mirage audio tower stacked with PL tube gear. Looks like I’ll need a 2nd tower to fit the phonostage. That also gives me a reason to upgrade from EVO separates to monoblocks!

[@MikeGervasi]

The one question not answered: How does it sound? Is it neutral or does it color the tone?

[@brotherseanrichard]

I was thinking on getting this or the EAT E-Glo Petit with S booster. Anyone that have herd both have any opinion? I got a VPI Cliffwood with VM95E but will be upgrading to a Hana SL

[@MikeGervasi]

Have to say my Primaluna Pre and Amp are a perfect match. Bit of tube rolling to Amperex and swapping the 12AX7s for 12AU7s made them sound amazing. I left tubes for SS on the phonostage specifically due to the noise from the 60DB of gain needed for a Hana ML. However I have NO doubt they figured it out. EL34s as a filter? Yeah they went for it. Just checked the price. I love Primaluna but it's out of my current range.

[@dropitrose4646]

i was saving up fro this amp as i knew it was comming. im just a bit sad to see it has 1 input as my turntable has 2 arms. will most likely now go for another amp now. but i am curious about its sound tho :)

[@handsoffanomaly7]

You can buy a high-quality Goldpoint switch box with two inputs and one output, and easily switch between the two arms!

[@seanbassett3131]

It’s a pity no one is honest enough to say how crap this phono stage is if you are using MM, using an ortofon black and it’s worse than a $200 phono stage. Now having to be forced to go MC as that’s obviously where all the money has gone. Honest reviews would be helpful