PrimaLuna Evo 400

Upstatemax · September 3

Tonight I installed a PrimaLuna Evo 400 into my 2ch system.

This preamp has been on my radar and wish list for a long, long time. I've had a brief amount of time to listen to one in a local dealer that was cut short as it was a demo show for another vendor, but we were able to sneak a listen before the owners tool-bag son came around. Needless to say, I can tell why the sponsored vendor wanted this stuff hidden...

In my home, in my system, it has already proven to be a massive upgrade. Texture, definition, focus...

Those are the words that jump to mind as it burns in.

I have a lot of listening to do, but I'm extremely happy with the decision to let one of these follow me home!

Updates to follow...

Clipdat · September 3

Congrats on your new tube preamp! Did you buy it new or used?

Upstatemax · September 3

Clipdat wrote: »

Congrats on your new tube preamp! Did you buy it new or used?

New.

Part of my “needs to burn in” thoughts.

From previous experience, tubes need time to open up and show their primary traits, and I want to give these stock PL time to open up.

But from what I’ve seen, you need to open up your wallet and spend on some expensive NOS tubes to really start to best many of the tubes, especially the rectifiers.

pitdogg2 · September 3

Preamp or Integrated amp?

Upstatemax · September 3

pitdogg2 wrote: »

Preamp or Integrated amp?

Preamp.

Integrated doesn’t retain tube rectification, that’s a no-go for me.

Plus, I want to keep options open for future amplification.

pitdogg2 · September 3

Okay when I looked for pictures using your title it only brought up a integrated amp.

Upstatemax · September 3

pitdogg2 · September 3

Found it 😁
https://www.primaluna-usa.com/primaluna-evo-400-tube-preamplifier

That looks like a very nice preamp! Yes, with that amount of tubes it will be costly. Especially those dual 5ar4's. Better get to shopping 😆

tonyb · September 4

Nice man, PL Evo's have been on my I want it list for awhile now. Though I rarely see an Evo pre come up for sale, they are usually always integrateds.

Upstatemax · September 4

tonyb wrote: »

Nice man, PL Evo's have been on my I want it list for awhile now. Though I rarely see an Evo pre come up for sale, they are usually always integrateds.

Yeah, the dealer pushed the integrated.

I wouldn't say aggressively, but he felt they were the best bang for the buck setup and he preferred the all in one package.

For me though, I want maximum flexibility and prefer separates. But the whole line was great.

newbie308 · September 9

I'm assuming that is line stage only? I really like the black finish! Good luck with it!

Upstatemax · September 9

newbie308 wrote: »

I'm assuming that is line stage only? I really like the black finish! Good luck with it!

As configured, it's a line stage preamp.

But they can be ordered with a phono stage, if you prefer. I think it's about $250 more.

Actually, they all come with the phono stage "box" installed on the bottom, so all you have to do is install the board and it takes over the "input 2", if you ever want to add it.

But I already have an outboard, dedicated phono stage, so I skipped it.

Upstatemax · September 11

After some time with the Evo 400, I can certainly say it's an improvement. \

Not a small one, but substantial.

Imaging, spacing, texture...

It's an entirely different system.

At the same time. I also started to experiment with streaming as a real source material. My Amazon Music subscription includes "HD" tracks, with the right equipment.

So I dipped my toes into it with a Wiim Pro Plus streamer/dac.

I decided on the Wiim as I was really impressed with the Wiim Amp that's installed on my fathers outdoor porch (connected to Totem Arro speakers). It has a great UI and insanely impressive SQ for such an inexpensive unit.

Ultimately, the Wiim Pro Plus was attractive as it was inexpensive, would stream HD tracks from Amazon and allowed me to connect my TV to it (through the optical input).

Ultimately, I will be upgrading the streaming unit in the long term, honestly because I like to tinker.

Back to the Evo 400.

The "dual mono" build seems to have something to it. Imaging, midrange and separation is impressive. I like midrange and clear vocals. Not just in presence, but size and scale.

Everything just seems huge and like everything has a place.

For me, one of my favorite recent recordings is Sturgill Simpson's (Johnny Blue Skies) album " Passage Du Desir". It's one of the first albums that I feel like I can play start to finish and it's just great. To me, his best work to date.

If I had to pick a highlight, "One For The Road". Guitar work has lush texture and presence, with a big and busy first half of the song. His vocal work is astounding. Dynamic and full of emotion.

It brings an almost perfect amount of Sturgill psychedelics, my dad immediately felt like it touched into Pink Floyd territory, in the second half of the song. The second half, it's where I think it lets a system have fun. Guitars swirl around, anchored by a solid bass line.

If you haven't given it a listen, or two, you should.

Another album that's become a regular in my rotation, The Black Keys "Drop Out Boogie".

Specifically the song "Good Love" (featuring Billy F. Gibbons). A rhythmic and driving powerhouse of a song, absolutely anchored by Billy's flawless guitar work. The Evo has zero trouble fleshing out the guttural and raw tone of the guitar work and bass, but needed, it rips off the guitar riffs and lets loose with soaring and expansive solos.

Another regular in the rotation has been Jacob Banks' "Unknown" from his "village" album.

The Evo does an astonishing job of placing the vocals in a rock solid position, slightly to the left on center, and it's almost like you you can sense Jacob in the room with you.

One of my favorite artist, Ray Lamontagne. He is incredibly talented and one of my favorite things, you can listen to an album and then see him live, you're hard pressed to tell the difference. He records with minimal/no processing. What comes out is what goes on the record.

For me, it's easiest to compare the song "Such a Simple Thing". I can stream it in 96/24 and I also have vinyl.

The stream has a forwardness to it that's engaging, but can get tiring. The vinyl in more laid back, rolled off, but still full of presence. The vinyl brings the warmth, with added texture to Ray's voice, more melodic. There is a slight vibrato that's simply missing from the stream.

Maybe, just maybe I'll pick that back up once I upgrade my streaming source, but I can't deny that I have my doubts.

Okay, I've warmed up the TT...

Now its' time to put on Muddy Waters "Folk Singer" (Mofi's "original master recording" 45 set). I have a hard time listening to this album now, unless it's this recording, for me, way too much tape hiss otherwise.

Muddy is anchored in his seat, with massive dynamics to match his incredible vocals, slightly to the right, with Buddy slightly behind him, slightly further to the right. Drums, to the left, and bass slightly left of center.

I can't really describe the texture and "meat on the bones" sensation you get from this setup. This is always an album that begs for volume, but it typically gets ruined from noise and hiss. A cleaned up, yet dynamic recording is just so nice to enjoy.

Alright, I'm ranting now...

I'll listen more and report more later. But there are other albums I want to report on, as I'm really impressed with what this PL Evo 400 is capable of.

Upstatemax · October 19

It’s a very, very good Saturday night with the system…

I’m going to have to do a DSD rip of my “benchmark” SACD to compare, but it’s sounding pretty darn good right now.

treitz3 · October 19

Congrat's and enjoy. A pre means more to some than others.....to some? A whole lot more.

Tom

Upstatemax · October 19

treitz3 wrote: »

Congrat's and enjoy. A pre means more to some than others.....to some? A whole lot more.

Tom

For me, I think it reignited my desire to invest in my 2ch system.

To tweak stuff, to add room treatments, to experiment with my sources…

I’ve always loved music, and my systems, but I wouldn’t say it was a passion for many years now.

As much as breaking my foot this summer was awful, it also forced me to slow down.

To sit down and get drawn into music again.

treitz3 · October 19

Awesome!

What is your rig, if you don't mind me asking?

Tom

Upstatemax · October 19

Sonus Faber Venere S speakers
Prima Luna EVO 400 pre
Rotel 1582 MKII amp
Eversolo A8 streamer/dac
Project X1 TT
Schiit Skoll phono pre
Furman Elite 15 DMi power conditioner

The amp is a long term loan from dad. He impulsively bought a McIntosh MC452 to replace the Rotel. I took the Rotel to test it, and it never left.

But he might be wanting it back, so I’m giving consideration to what I might replace it with.

The Rotel RB 1590 is very high on my list, but the Michi S5 is calling me to test it out as well.

tonyb · October 20

Hows your pops liking his MC452 ?

Upstatemax · October 20

tonyb wrote: »

Hows your pops liking his MC452 ?

He loves it. It’s massive overkill for the system he put it in, but he couldn’t turn away from the price he got it for.

It’s in his HT in the living room, powering his Totem Element Fire speakers.

He doesn’t listen to music too much in the living room anymore, since his office has his 2ch system, but he does occasionally.

He jokes that if could lift it, he would check to see if I wrote my name on the bottom of it to claim it as mine when he kicks the bucket.

Upstatemax · October 22

I simultaneously love this album, and can’t look at the album cover.

He looks JUST like my buddy Greg, when we were younger. I can’t stop laughing at it…

PrimaLuna Evo 400

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