The PrimaLuna Dialogue HP.
When I received this integrated I was really happy with the quality of the unit, it was solid with a finish that a lot in the industry could learn from. This is & could be considered an audiophiles entry level integrated that just belts home runs out of the ball park. Bestowed with
6 - 12AU7 & the
KT88 tubes,
which by the way is a tube that i don't personally find appealing, I was actually very impressed with this little effort from PrimaLuna that was supposed to be a stop-gap for when my 4 month wait for the Line Magnetic 219ia was realised.
My first inclination of just how good this was to be was straight out of the box, the significant other wanted to hear it. Then she went too far & asked how to use the system if I wasn't there......mmmm, selective hearing & topic of conversation kicks in like an upper-cut from Tyson! In all seriousness to giving praise where things are due, I still wasn't so sure about the KT88's, just too much of everything & not enough of something, in other words, lots of vanilla!
Enter the NOS Mullards & the KT150's. Bugger... The significant other now demands to know what that thing on the top does. Remembering my vowels at the last wedding I was at, tend to remember the significant other was there too, more wine & manuals to explain, she hasn't the time for such silliness.
Ha! Well the Mullards & the Kt 150's took this integrated to another level that at first I wasn't quite comfortable with. Although with the input of the KT 150's & the absolutely instant bass & punch of energy that they bring I was a touch dishevelled from the Mullards. Everyone knows just how much easy energy the 150's have, it's all been a-rave the last trimester hasn't it, "Gov", no need to go there! With the combination this little integrated in bypass with the Soulution 520, it became an absolute beast of a revelation as the tubes started to get some time on them & things started to really gel/burn-in speak for some. There are some things in my life that I will always be thankful for, for being graced with time in their company, usually, it's people for me! I can honestly say that I would unequivocally go back to visit this system for an unextended amount of time as I enjoyed it immensely. The Mullards brought with them true & honest timing, they also didn't sugar coat bad things as we all hear from time to time, not going there! The tone I thought was exceptional with "just maybe", a tad of upper glare in the very high treble but maybe that was the limitation of the price envelope of integrated I am referring to?
I enjoyed my time with the PrimaLuna, with a tad of rolling it also taught me some. Something that I thought that I already knew. This is what I absolutely love about this hobby, just when you think you have got a decent angle on things & a great knowledge base, something comes along to knock you out of the ball-park!