PrimaLuna Prologue 2 Integrated Amplifier

earlmarc · « **on:** 30 Jan 2005, 08:06 pm »

I have been thinking about building a second system around the PrimaLuna 2 integrated amplifier. I have read many positive reviews about this integrated. I wonder if any members have had a chance to audition this integrated? I'm thinking of the following:

1. PrimaLuna Prologue 2 Integrated
2. Triangle Comete ES Speakers
3. Jolida JD-100A CD Player (Response Audio Signature Mod.)
4. Bolder Cables M-80 Cables

Any advice would be appreciated. Thank You.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #1 on:** 30 Jan 2005, 08:12 pm »

You might send a PM to Hogg. He has a PrimaLuna in his collection.

tracertwo · « **Reply #2 on:** 30 Jan 2005, 08:52 pm »

Just for info-Not mine,as I am selling a TA30...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3280&item=5748182840&rd=1

tracer

Hogg · « **Reply #3 on:** 31 Jan 2005, 01:13 am »

Hello EarlMarc,
I own the Prologue 2. It's a good amplifier and certainly has enough juice to drive Triangle speakers. You should audition a KT88 amplifier as well as others to see if you like that sound or not. If you live near Connecticut, you can borrow it or come for a listen. However, Chris has the prologue 2 reserved from mid-February until March. Good luck.

Jim

Uptown Audio · « **Reply #4 on:** 2 Feb 2005, 01:54 am »

I would advise a listen before building a system around anything. Another caution would be involving too many tubed components in the front end. I don't like tube based CD players or DACs in general as I find that they can color the sound and being the source component, you cannot correct that at any point. They work wonders for connecting to a cheap receiver as they really can give a deep, rich sound to an otherwise anemic system. It sounds as if you may be reading about gear and then trying to decide based upon what you read as to what would make a good system. You might ask someone for a wine recommendation and buy a bottle without ever tasting it as the cost is relatively low and you only have to endure it once if you don't agree. A stereo is something much different and really has to be heard to be understood. Think of it as you might buying a car. It's great to read about performance and such and you can certainly gain some brand confidence from reading positive reviews, but I doubt that you will ever be satisfyed with something that you have not actually tried to get in and out of and drive for a while to see if it fits your expectations and goals. Good luck with whatever you choose, but don't overlook your hometown and regional stores that may have what you really want and that you can verify without regrets.
-Bill

earlmarc · « **Reply #5 on:** 2 Feb 2005, 02:33 am »

Thanks for the advice Uptown Audio. I believe there is a starting point with any system, whether you choose speakers, amplifier, or digital front-end from the onset. I started my primary system by choosing my speakers first (Maggie MG1.6QR) and built the rest of my system around them-EA Carver ZR-1600, APL HiFi Phillips SACD 1000, SAS Audio Labs 10A preamplifier, and Wasatch Cableworks cables. Both the preamp and CD player are tubed based and neither the preamp or CD player color sound. You are correct in the importance of auditioning components for synergy. I have listened to Triangle speakers and like their sound. I also know that they are tube friendly. I have also listened to Triangle speakers with the Jolida JD100. I have not heard the Primaluna amps, but have auditioned SAS Audio Labs KT88 mono amps. This experience leads me to believe these components might be very good together.

whopnyc · « **Reply #6 on:** 2 Feb 2005, 09:32 am »

I've had a Prologue 2 in my system for about 2 1/2 weeks. Source is Jolida 100A CD player used as a transport running into an ack dack. Speakers are Gallo Ref 3s. I started out running everything off the 8 ohm taps and the imaging and coherence weren't there. Soundstage was huge and I was getting great layering and depth but felt the amp couldn't control the speakers well. After reading the HiFi+ review in which the reviewer liked the 4 ohm taps better into his 8 ohm speakers, I tried that out. What a huge difference! Imaging is fantastic without losing all the other qualities I enjoyed before.

It's a heavy, well built amp sold by a heavily customer service oriented guy. He offers a trial period with a small restocking fee if you return it. It's a great deal at $1300 or so. I also have a Sim I-5 in my system that many would like better but I love the tubey qualities of the Prologue 2. If you like solid state, you probably won't like the Prologue as much as me. The Sim sounds like a "better" amp but my taste falls more in the tube camp.

FYI...most of my music is live Greatful Dead, Keller Williams, String Cheese, jamband type stuff with just about everything else thrown in occasionally except opera & classical. Let me know if you have any questions. I'm in the NYC area and welcome anyone to come listen.

System is here.

Music Maven · « **Reply #7 on:** 2 Feb 2005, 10:05 pm »

I think this was reviewed in the latest STEREOPHILE.

whopnyc · « **Reply #8 on:** 2 Feb 2005, 11:41 pm »

Cover of latest Stereophile, HiFi+ recently and Absolute Sound I think. What one of these mags really needs to do is test all the recent <$1500 amps from China...Primaluna, Ming Da, Cayin, Jolida, ASL, etc. Kind of like the shootouts that the car mags do. It'd be a huge seller. Even the mag-bashers would buy.