how's the vtl compare to the primuluna
I really liked my Primaluna preamp. I started with an HP integrated in 2018, upgraded through a few different sets of tubes in the inputs and power side, settling on KT150's and some vintage Mazda Ciftes. This was running through Focal Aria 948's. Once I got ahold of the Sopra's, I could tell the limiting of dynamics due to the Sopras impedance dip. My fix was to trade in the PL HP integrated and get an Evo 300, and adding the VanAlstine SS monoblocks. It was a great match, I now had impressive dynamics. I kept the Cifte input gain tubes I was running in the HP and it demonstrated a clarity I was happy with. This year I started getting the itch, my one big regret was not going with the Evo 400 and it's balanced connections. I had recently got the SA-10 and wanted to take advantage of the superior noise rejection. After researching the Evo 400, I came to the realization that it's not a true end to end balanced solution. The VA amplifiers only have a balanced input, so I was using one of their balanced converters to feed the single ended of the PL 300 into the amps. I was getting some intermittent noise when running the wash, so I ran a dedicated 10 awg line for my gear. Also added the Power Plant 12. Noise improved, but there were still things there. I traced it to the balanced converter picking things up. No Bueno, have to go true balanced.
So I started watching TMR, as I don't have unlimited budget, most of my gear was purchased used. Several preamps piqued my interest, the VTL 6.5 series II, a few older Spectrals, and a Moon 740p. I was all set on the 740p but it sold pretty quickly. So I watched for another month or so, and this VTL was still listed and going down in price every few weeks. It probably didn't sell because of a small cosmetic issue on a corner of the display glass. So I pulled the trigger. I had researched them, and liked what Luke and Beas operation in California had to offer. It turned out to be a phenomenal purchase, especially for the price of admission.
No lie, the Primaluna is a very good piece of gear than all others I had used previously. Tube rectified, point to point wiring, a real value in that segment of the market. I could roll tubes to my hearts content, and loved it. If it wasn't for wanting to go true balanced I'd still be using it.
I guess I was unaware of what I was missing. The VTL is a much different beast. What struck me first was the top and bottom dynamics, even at low volumes. The details within the music are more present and identifiable, Most of what I can think of as descriptions is audiophile hyperbole, but the openness of the whole presentation was much better. My Soundstage now has the depth information at a much greater level, and my center image became more fleshed than the Primaluna. Prior I had a beautiful beach ball sized center image, with reverb tails occurring at the left and right mains. The VTL fills the center from the inner side of each main, much larger space where the action is happening. And again, the depth, that was a big driver for the major speaker repositioning I did last spring. Before doing so, I still had a fleshed out center image, beach ball size, but absolutely flat. The repositioning worked wonders. (guided by Jim Smiths book) At one point I had them drug out nearly 11' into the room, things got weird there and I ended up with them in their current location. It projected depth, but not nearly as detailed as the new VTL. Basically it's now a floor to ceiling side to side sphere with everything happening in multiple locations throuout this space, top right front. Top left rear, mid front etc. Very satisfying. My original noise issue is gone, though there is a small discernable something with an ear to a speaker and volume cranked that I'm now attributing to the grounding on my home, of which will be my next project. I've got some interesting wiring in my 1957 home, that also feeds my 34 horse boarding facility, so there will be changes coming.
All in all I'm very happy with the upgrade.
