“Purchased two Klipsch Heresy IVs from Upscale last fall as a foundation to build a new vinyl system. Initially went with a German-Designed hybrid integrated amp. It was okay; but never got "better" and actually sounded worse over time. Not a good match. Swapped that out for the PL EVO 100 Integrated. Upon installing the EVO 100, had some left channel noise and RF interference, so moved some tubes around. Still noisy. Thought, well as long as I am moving tubes might as well put in different tubes that were purchased for the EVO (Mullard EL34 reissue, new Tung Sol 12AX7s, and some vintage Baldwin-labeled (Raytheon) 12AU7s from a vintage organ). Still a bit noisy. Fortunately, an Audioquest PQ 303 Power Conditioner arrived the next day and the noise issues disappeared. Not the fault of the EVO 100 at all. Disaster averted. So, how does the system sound? Here are the components: Fluance RT85 turntable with acrylic platter Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge Vincent PHO 701 hybrid phono pre (with cartridge capacitance selectors!) Schiit Lokius 6-Band Equalizer (sorry purists, old vinyl often benefits immensely from some EQ) Denon DCD-1600NE SACD Player Definitive Technology ProSub 80 (Two placed on the sidewalls opposite each other. Crossover at 60Hz. Nice mellow fill.) Klipsch Heresy IV (99dB sensitivity) Perfect room temperature and humidity. As always, the synergistic sum of the parts makes or breaks a sound system. The EVO 100 fits right in and performs wonderfully. Outer space silent, uber detailed, loud, punchy, articulate, and just sips watts. Never had past 9 o'clock. Love the way all instruments are painstakingly represented (especially percussion which often gets lost), and how low-volume and high-volume passages are transitioned. The variation is stunning and something I have never heard on any other amp. Vocals, depending on how well engineered, are pleasantly present mostly upfront and accurately reflect the timbre and nuances of individual singers - even singers buried in a chorus! Very cool. All of this being said, some of my vinyl was still struggling to get out. So, I pulled the stock 12AU7 from the Vincent phono stage and installed another one of those Baldwin/Raytheon vintage 12AU7s and, BOOM, a whole other level of loudness, soundstage width, and clarity. Though I never read this anywhere thus far, matching your outboard phono pre tube to the EVO 100's pre tubes makes intuitive sense. The EVO pre stage tubes can then process a "familiar and complementary" signal that intertwines nicely versus reshaping an odd and/or discordant signal from a different brand/model phono pre tube. Synergy baby! So, does the PL EVO 100 lead one to ultra-magical, mystically-balanced, hyper-holographic euphonical aural euphoria? Or, does it simply blow doors down? Not totally sure. It just sounds amazing.”

2 Helpful Report

Posted 2 years ago

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1 Helpful Report

Posted 3 years ago

Dhimiter Kuremeno

Verified Reviewer

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Helpful Report

Posted 3 years ago

“This is my first tube amp and I have to say I really enjoy it. Someone gave me some KT88 tubes and that really helped on the bass, which is my preference since I’m a bit of a basehead. The amp is detailed and my Focal Clear headphones work well with the Prima Luna as well. It is a very solid build and very simple to use which I really appreciate. Kat helped me with this purchase and she so knowledgeable and is every bit as good as everyone says in the comment sectiona.”

3 Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

“Since burning this amp in I've stopped thinking about my equipment and more about the music. I've used it with Klipsch RP-600m, Wharfedale Denton 80th, and currently using Klipsch Heresy II with a REL t5i. For a small to medium room (or larger with efficient speakers) this is really all you need. Plenty of power. I'm rarely turned up past 9 or 10 o'clock and never past 12 even with quieter sources or less efficient speakers. Again, for a small to medium room with 98% of speakers the evo100 have plenty of power. The sound is clean and fairly neutral. Not bright but the upper mids/lower treble does seem to be accentuated. You wouldn't necessarily think it's a tube amp based off any tonal coloring but it is very musical. After letting it burn it you really don't think about the amp anymore, it just gets out of the way of the music. Where I do think it sounds like a tube amp is with dynamics. This is a very dynamic amp. Very quick, very musical. Music jumps from the speakers in a very natural, liquid way. Imaging is great. And then there's the headphone amp. That was a big selling feature and I think for some people will make this amp a really good value. If you are using high impedance headphones like HD600s you want a good tube amp. Well the evo100 is just that. No need for anything else. I was able to sell my headphone amp. The remote is great. nice shape and size, heavy, metal and has little feet to keep it from slipping. I was tempted by the evo300 for the triode mode (would be ideal for my taste and speakers) and beefier transformers (better bass) but ultimately decided it was out of my budget and that the evo100 was good enough. It's a great amp that feels stripped down not compromised. It has a nice narrow footprint and doesn't take up too much visual space. Perfect for a more humble paired down set up like mine. I'm using Denafrips Ares II DAC and it's a great pairing. Oh yeah and vinyl sounds AMAZING through the evo100.”

4 Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

“Absolutely love this Integrated amp! I have done direct comparisons to my ps audio stellar 300 and I enjoy the Prima Luna more! Huge sound stage both wide and deep! Instrument separation is magical! Also the best headphone amp I have ever heard! It drives my Tekton Perfect Set to heights I never thought I could reach at this price point. Wife loves it! I have owned way more expensive from Pass Labs, Krell and Musical Fidelity! They are all great but Tubes have brought me back to the hobby!”

4 Helpful Report

Posted 5 years ago

ANTHONY ARMSTRONG

Verified Reviewer

“Unfortunately one of the tubes 'expired' after only 14 days - it made it sound fatiguing and harsh while it died ( I thought it just needed to run in ! ). You replaced the tube and it immediately sounded smoother- after a few days it's sounding very good - clear and precise with a very good soundstage. Very pleased now - thanks.”

1 Helpful Report

Posted 5 years ago

Dave Radosevich

Verified Reviewer

“This little amp really produces! Super clean output and a joy to look at. Build quality is top notch. No short Cummings at all. Ken at Upscale knows his stuff and getting this amp was a no-brainer.”

Helpful Report

Posted 5 years ago

PrimaLuna EVO 100 Tube Integrated Amp Silver Reviews