PrimaLuna DiaLogue Premium Preamplier Review by Upscale Audio's Kevin Deal

[@brainache555]

I can listen to him talk all day! So much knowledge and honesty in this man! That’s why he is so successful. He cares about making sure the customers getting the best stuff they can afford instead of selling overly priced crap just to make quick money. He wants new and returning customers.

[@kirillkasatkin6472]

Same for me! He is hypnotising me) But i wish i could make my own amp with soviet components where tantalum capacitor weighed 50 gramms each, each relay had platinum 100 % contacts covered with iridium and enclosed in copper shield...

[@lumntoob999]

Love the passion from you. Primaluna setup is my goal, the quality they put out for the low prices is why I look forward to being a proud owner of there gear.

[@stevebirmingham9650]

Kevin love you mate your straight to the point no bull shit up front with your opinions andviews god love you man well done Kevin

[@UberPilot]

This is gold! All the old school audio guys will tell you................point to point or go home.........future classics..............

[@joachimplanchon9093]

I love my dialogue premium...years after years...i also have a prologue premium the first edition...with some modification from Primaluna for my specific tubes...great preamps!

[@giloro85]

Sir, I am just a guitar player chiming in...i just would like to concurr with you. The most dynamic guitar amps have the biggest transformers. The best examples are Fender Twin Reverb and Hiwatt Custom series. Both made with enormous custom transformers. they also follow the same principles presented here. Consequently, they are loudest amps ever. Thank you for the information you present!

[@alexdimitriu7676]

This dude sold me on this. Believable review for sure

[@tingokuman]

When he said preamps haven't changed in a decade but have gotten lighter I subscribed. lol

[@hushpuppykl]

Kevin knows how to totally use his product’s strengths to put his strong selling points across. 😬👍👍 Soon I’ll be getting myself a PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium!

[@thierryhanot7610]

Thx for sharing your knowledge with so much passion.

[@audiodestroyer1343]

1:07 Spot on. Works for turntables and power amps too!

[@carmenandthedevil2804]

"More power by dropping noise floor" Brilliant. :)

[@jsmctch]

I have this preamp.... I'll say this. Replace the chinese tubes with quality NOS well built tubes. Night and day!!! Dont forget the rectifier tubes, the soundstage will thank you

[@allanauyeung]

Kevin, I would buy a PrimaLuna if they add balance in and out. Seriously.

[@tudorrapeanu4842]

Right? This is why I am having second thoughts right now and not abusing my credit card straight ways and go for the Pre and the HP Amp.

[@TycoDogg]

My sentiment exactly. It's why I had to buy another brand's tube preamp - it had balanced inputs and outputs, since all of my other components are balanced.

[@juliaset751]

I agree, I would require balanced. Few tubed preamps are balanced though. They may have balanced input or output connectors that are just wired to an unbalanced circuit. One way to tell is to look at the volume control: a balanced pot will have four gangs (+ left -left, + right -right), unbalanced has two (left, right).

[@corsairdipthong3874]

I saw an Upscale Audio putting down "15 lb" "$9,000" tube preamps...sounds suspiciously like a very famous and well reviewed amp from NC. 🧐

[@ThePleoni]

i heard the primaluna dialogue HP today and it sounded great but i wish it would look like a unison research performance... I am still inclined to go for that as my latest upgrade...

[@moodyga40]

love your video. i built my own valve preamp 2 x 12AU7 cathode follower output

[@friedmule5403]

Ehm when are toroidal got more expensive then other newer types? The O-core do leak less then the toroidal because it's rounder shape and the R-core are invented and used in the highest end of audiogear because the leakage problems with both the toroidal and O-core are almost zero in the R-core. The R-core do also avoid the problem with the uneven tightness of the wire inside both toroidal and O-core.

[@wamgoc3637]

Toroids have advantages and disadvantages. They are very economically customizable, and a one off is not any more expensive to make than one made in big numbers, it takes a few minutes to set a Gorman winder up and you can have any ratios and turns counts you want. The cores are more expensive than a EI lam but cheaper than C cores. They lock up tighter than taylor Swift's c....ontract with any appreciable DC offset currents unless you slit the core and then you need a lot bigger core.(And also you get a M field emission). Thats why PL has copied Bob Cordell's circuit which limits DC offset on the primary. it is an effective solution but ups the parts count. Remember Ed Heinemann and Bill Lear on the most reliable part, the one that is not there! Also AC inrush on power transformers can be much higher than on EI parts. R core has many advantages and some disadvantages over toroid or C-core. In general C-cores in a can potted with microcrystalline wax or tar is the optimum design, this side of oil filled of course, but build cost gets heinous and if the part gets hot the tar goes everywhere. All engineering is compromise, where do you want them? You can have cost, weight, reliability or performance, pick one it's easy, two is doable, three gets tough, four is usually contrary to the laws of physics.

[@jeromejax8675]

Kevin, is this amp available with balaned inputs and outputs? (Specifically xlr) If not why? I was on the understanding that Prima Luna uses premium parts and does not cut corners. Why RCA only?

[@harlembob8135]

Jerome Jax! Prima Luna has just introduced an updated series called EvoLution. They now have a balanced preamplifier, the Evo 400. I'm seriously considering this unit!

[@alexanderstefanov6474]

You don't need balanced unless your running over 5 meter lengths of interconnects

[@wamgoc3637]

@@alexanderstefanov6474 The RCA connector is a bane and a sign that we are not serious about doing things right. XLR isn't perfect but it is reasonable. Ditto the IEC power connector, the old bakelite Levitons used on coffee pots and clothes irons in the fifties actually would be better, Neutrik has a very good standard that is not terribly expensive but unlike pro audio the high enders have ignored it.

[@jeromejax8675]

@@harlembob8135 I saw this too. Currently I have the PL HP Dialogue Int. Amp, but looking at the Evo 400 preamp but if I purchase, I would have to by a power amp. Would like a SS to pair with with it. The best of both worlds.

[@AquaFreak]

Just subscribe, and that's only for the honesty and realism of the view on products.

[@VRM417]

Is there a reason Prima Luna chose not to have xlr outputs in their top preamp?

[@harlembob8135]

VRM! Prima Luna now has the EvoLution series. The Evo 400 preamplifier has balanced in & outputs.

[@zonto22]

If the design isn't truly balanced/differential, then it's just a gimmick anyway. PrimaLuna designs single-ended stuff, so just use it that way.

[@jerryjohnson4625]

I heard my M2si has "trickle down" technology from the Titan. No ? It sounds good.

[@mrt6349]

Would the PrimaLuna, Primaluna Dialogue Premium HP be a good match for a triangle megallan duetto v2? I can get one used for 2k usd.

[@FirstLast-gs8tt]

I would argue that NOT knowing you have a Tube Problem is NOT Slick. We WANT to know when we have a Tube Problem so we can address it.

[@stephencosta6814]

Dude you are the best I so wished I lived near store I would be there every day I will trust you on your advice 24/7 tell me what do you think about the parasound a21 amplifier and prima luma preamp

[@beagle7622]

The weak link appears to be the interconnect between a good pre & power amp. I have A Cary based combination & have tried different interconnects . Would the shortest possible cable be the best?

[@capelight52]

Love this! Subscribed!

[@phongbui1609]

para look badazz with no gold cap

[@stevebrown9363]

Hmm.. I count 4, maybe 5 PCBs and see a couple "crapy computer ribbon cables"? But yes, a beautiful bit of construction overall.

[@joeyg7458]

Ok Kevin I’m sold on the prima luna....Now relax and go smoke a joint...We get it.Prima Luna all the way...

[@upscaleaudio]

Thanks Joey...I had to quit smoking dope years ago. Along with acid, quaaludes, shrooms, peyote, etc. But I have the memories!

[@vdm54]

amplifiers need to listen !!

[@CoquiAudio]

hey, where do you guys purchase those sexy resistors? I meant the glossy ones 😊

[@henriksrensen5958]

Primaluna great amplifiers, but I ended up with gryphon diablo 120.

[@00bikeboy]

Is weight really a proxy for quality?

[@hushpuppykl]

00bikeboy ... with regards to transformers. No point if the chassis is made of 1/2” lead

[@mtache12]

why is this needed if you already have a phono stage that can connect to an integrated amp?? I'm so lost on this.

[@Mike_Jones68]

This is just another format to plug all your periphrials to - cd, phono stage, dac, streamer, etc. This is used in a separate component system format - i.e. seperate pre-amp box running into a separate power amp box (or boxes if doing 2 monoblock power amps). Integrated amps are both a pre and power built into one box. Either way has its pros/cons, either way is up to the end user preference on how they are setting up their system, either way your phono stage is first running into a pre-amp regardless. There's so much more in ways of combos - i.e. if your turntable has a built in phono stage and you may be using powered speakers, etc, but I hope this helps.

[@phongbui1609]

tube how much it run for gold tubes

[@ac81017]

Think i´m warming to Uncle Kev.

[@NickP333]

Always look for gut shots and large amounts of iron.

[@phongbui1609]

how much gold cap

[@romavictor1811]

How do you compare primaluna with Mcintosh and ARC?

[@upscaleaudio]

Hi Roma. After doing this for over 40 years as a living, I've become "grumpy" about brands according to my loving wife Laura. I don't call it grumpy but what HAS happened is I don't get impressed by name brands anymore. Go to Google and type in Audio Research LS17SE, then go to images. Do a breakdown of what you guess it cost to build that preamp by simply doing an inventory and calculating the weight. Every model change manufacturers raise the price and put in fewer parts. Audio Research LS27 was $6995 and weighs 16.3 lbs. The replacement LS28 is $7495 and weighs 15.9 lbs. They sound fine. It's easy to make a tube preamp that sounds great. There are no new designs. It's all the same stuff repackaged, regardless of brand. So you have to be a detective and an accountant to get the most for your money.

[@romavictor1811]

Do you guys have Mcintosh and ARC tube amps in the showroom to compare side by side with the primalunas hooked up to the same source material?

[@upscaleaudio]

As a matter of fact we just traded in a 3 month old $8500 Audio Research VSI-75 integrated towards a $3399 PrimaLuna DiaLogue Premium integrated, but first the customer wanted to do a real comparison. So we did it level-matched by measuring test tones with an SPL meter so both amps were playing within .1dB of each other. Both amps are hot, playing the same material. The difference was so striking we are leaving it up for anyone to come listen to. If you are local, come by! I have some trade in LS17SE, LS26, LS27, MC2300, all traded in but we don't have them up on display. They are for sale and we don't put the used stuff out. It's priced to sell and boxed up ready to go. But for anyone serious I can do the same A/B there too.

[@astralboy]

what is good tube tester ?

[@wamgoc3637]

That is a very complicated question without any one good answer. It's like asking, what is a good car? I mean a Toyota Camry is a better car than a Mclaren F1. Full stop. Right? may I suggest you read a book. That book would be "Tube Testers and Classic Electronic Test Gear" by Alan Douglas. It is still readily available although Mr. Douglas sadly passed late in 2019.

[@SACThailand]

Torroidal transformer is prone to shorting especially in high voltage application. That's why they are not popular in tube amp. It is not about the cost.

[@robertbartolomie857]

Robert Plant

[@WokeYtube]

Out of personal expiriance of building on order tube preamp and amplifiers 25years++ i must say i bet my life that simpeler tube preamp with only 2 tubes in preamp is much better.. Look if you want simple high gain preamo than shunt push-pull is the best. Period. And you use for it high gain 12ax7 tube.. Then if you want to build multiple tube preamp then u use 12au7 beacuse of much lover gain, and first 2tubes are preamp and 3d is only catode folower to lower impedance.. My bet is Prima Luna copy Marantz7 preamp schematic.. Thorroids are NOT expencier than square transfos, and tubes used in first preamp are Russian"good bless them" the best tubes for preamp.. 12au7 are common and just good tubes.. Rest is sales techniek.. ps- net voltage and humm filter exsites 50+years so Prima Luna didnt invent nothing new.. If you have questions just drop them here...

[@chalacochoro7023]

:( my new obsession

[@phongbui1609]

need fuse that look pricey

[@kentonkirkpatrick5225]

Waiting for a stand alone phono head amp.

[@phongbui1609]

2k

[@robertanderson7049]

this guy loves to talk.

[@frankwhite162]

9:43 Kevin, you gotta do something about that gyno, bro.

[@phongbui1609]

fwak meh i need jap cap 5k each

[@phongbui1609]

cars fuse look better

[@mikenicolosi7699]

the boyuu mt88mk11 is better then any primalina amp I will bet I own both and boyuu 45 watts per channel psvane kt 88 4 tubes 2 12au7 1ax7 I wii make you a bet test boyuu mt 88mk11 agaiest your best amp the boyuu cost 750 us pais 2000 us for your amp does not even come close both hook up to my Klipsch rf28 only 45 watts sounds like no other please take this challenge

[@mikenicolosi7699]

sotty fot mistakes don't have glasses on keven please boyuu is a better product then primaluna challenge please test boyuu you will do better buissnwss