description
When you don't need the transformer-coupled balanced connectivity of the EVO 400, the PrimaLuna EVO 300 Preamplifier is for you. All PrimaLuna preamps are built with the tube preamp Holy Trinity. Dual-mono, point to point wiring, and tube rectification.
(Optional) Internal Moving Magnet Phonostage
EVO internal phonostage connects directly to one of the existing line inputs on your PrimaLuna EvoLution series Integrated Amp or Preamplifier. No extra plugs or cables required. Uses Surface Mount Technology implementation for the shortest signal path and reduction of parasitic capacitances and inductance.
Made in Holland to ISO 9001 standards, boasting selected components for the best sound quality. Miniature film capacitors, minimelf resistors, and a superior op-amp for lowest noise, highest speed, and robust drive. Low impedance electrolytics and a super low noise power supply results in a turntable experience with goose bumps!
Suitable for both moving magnet and high-output moving coil cartridges. Can be installed any time (requires basic soldering skills) or installed at time of purchase (no installation fee).
AC Offset Killer - A Primaluna Exclusive
AC Offset Killer is about goose bumps. The ones you get when music comes out of a background so quiet, you may say to yourself “Just how is this possible?” PrimaLuna custom-winds our own massive toroidal power transformers that are low in hum and EMI. But we wanted more. Our engineers designed the AC Offset Killer to lower transformer noise to a place no other manufacturer dreams of going, regardless of how bad your electricity is. The result? Sense of space. Texture. The resonance of an acoustic guitar or violin string that seems to trail on forever. The AC Offset Killer will amaze you.
Takman Resistors
If you bought a lesser amplifier, you would pay hundreds to make this upgrade. Easy to identify through their pink color, these premium resistors from Japan are popular with those who rebuild and upgrade their gear. "Modders" love TAKMAN for their low noise, linearity, and musicality.
Dual Toroidal Power Transformers
One of the best headphone amps in the world. And the only amp that lets you listen with either the warmth of Triode or the wide-bandwidth of Ultra-linear operation at the push of a button! Most tube integrated amps and preamps use a solid state op-amp chip for running headphones. Stand alone tube headphone amps will vary in quality like any other tube amp. Headphones are simply small speakers that require less power. Some amps will use smaller output tubes that groan to have enough dissipation to run power-hungry planar headphones.
Tube Rectified
In the world of preamps, experts agree that tube rectification is the gold standard. It’s quieter than solid state rectification, dropping the noise floor. And it offers the most natural, textured, and vibrant presentation because the circuit is now pure tube. But because it is expensive to implement, you’ll only find it in the top of the line models typically costing $10,000 or more. Finding a preamp using one rectifier tube is sweet. PrimaLuna goes even further using two 5AR4 rectifier tubes in a dual-mono design to present your music with a three-dimensionality that will give you goosebumps.
Japanese Alps Blue Velvet Potentiometer
The best tube preamps use analogue volume controls. Not volume control chips. Look inside the most well-known brand of tube preamps and you will see a chip called a DS1666-10 Digital Resistor IC. At Primaluna, we understand the temptation to use this chip as they cost $4 each (half that in quantity!). The preamp will sound fine and be quiet, but true to “chips” it will add an electronic “sheen” to the sound. PrimaLuna prefers analogue. And we use the Gold Standard in motorized potentiometers: The iconic Alps Blue Velvet. Why? Because they track perfectly, stay quiet, and don’t sound like chips!
Superquiet Line Inputs
Input selector switches leak noise and signals from other sources, as they never turn off the other inputs completely. And, they deteriorate with age, requiring the use of cleaners. Many are mounted on the front panel requiring long runs of wires to the back panel inputs. These wires pick up stray noise from RF and EMI.
PrimaLuna has a better way. Instead of a switch, input selection is done using premium quality sealed relays mounted in the rear where you plug in your components. When an input is selected, that relay closes giving you the best connection possible. All the other relays are left open, so noise and signals from other sources can’t leak in. The signal path is now almost non-existent, so there are no wires to pick up noise.
Point-to-Point Wiring w/Swiss-Made Wire
You spend a lot of money on interconnects. So why have the signal go right from the RCA jacks or speaker terminals into circuit boards with copper traces so thin you can hardly see them? What’s high-end about that?
PrimaLuna employs Point to Point Wiring on all products. The entire signal path, including resistors and capacitors, is painstakingly hand wired with heavy-gauge cable by craftsman.
EVO 300 and EVO 400 models use Swiss-made, silver-plated, oxygen-free continuous crystal (OCC) copper with a Teflon dielectric in the critical signal path for superior signal speed and increased clarity.
Dual-Mono Design
Expensive and exotic preamps always use a dual-mono design to achieve a level of imaging not possible otherwise. Most manufacturers don’t employ dual-mono because of expense. It requires two power transformers, double regulation circuits, and in fact….everything is double. In effect, dual-mono means building two discrete and separate preamps into one box. It is so expensive to build, it’s a rarity even at the highest price points. All PrimaLuna preamps are dual-mono for the ultimate in stereo imaging and a sense of space that goes on forever.
Smartgain Design
A preamplifier is typically not required to add any gain to your system when you are using it. It is usually lowering gain from the source you are listening to. The number one complaint from audiophiles about preamp performance is noise. So why is it that so many manufacturers design preamps with 20 to 27dB of gain? And you wonder why there is "hiss", and why tubes go noisy or microphonic? PrimaLuna preamps use SmartGain. With a gain specification of only 12dB, you will find your PrimaLuna preamp is as quiet as a church mouse. If tubes are less than perfect, you may never know it because they are not amplifying as "loud". High efficiency speaker owner's rejoice!
Perfectmatch
Another exclusive PrimaLuna feature is PerfectMatch, a circuit designed to present a perfect 100K ohm impedance to your source components. This is vitally important especially for tube source components, such as phonostages and DACs to sound their very best.
| Inputs |
5x Stereo RCA
Stereo RCA HT Bypass
|
| Outputs |
2x Stereo RCA
Stereo RCA Tape Out
|
| Gain |
10 dB |
| Freq. Response |
10Hz-95kHz +/- 1dB |
| THD |
< 0.5% @ 2V |
| S/N Ratio |
93 dB, 98dBA |
| Input Sensitivity |
650mV |
| Input Impedance |
220kΩ |
| Output Impedance |
256Ω |
| Power Consumption |
61 watts |
| Standard Tube Complement |
6 - 12AU7
2 - 5AR4
|
| Dimensions (WxHxD) |
15.2" x 8.1" x 15.9" |
| Weight |
52.8 lbs |
