Mystere pa21 Stereo Power Amplifier Reviews

4.9 Rating 7 Reviews

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Phone:

909.931.9686

Email:

joel.m@upscaleaudio.com

Location:

2058 Wright Avenue,
2058 Wright Avenue
California
91750

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“Took about a week for the bass to "arrive" and now that it has this has become a tremendous amp. What I notice most is how wide a soundstage this produces--well outside of the boundaries of my Tekton Lore loudspeakers. Tekton and Prima Luna products are a great match by the way.”

1 Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

“I am choosing 4 at this time because I have not heard of the big name McIntosh yet. If it sounds just as good, it will easily be a 5.”

Helpful Report

Posted 5 years ago

Colin McAleenan

Verified Reviewer

“I’m in awe of this amplifier. Prima Luna is an incredible brand, and this ‘big brother’ version just oozes class and has such a wealth of power to drive my Focals! Love it! Thanks Ken!!”

Helpful Report

Posted 5 years ago

William Cleaver

Verified Reviewer

“This is my first tube amplifier and I couldn't be more delighted with the music it produces; full, warm and lifelike with great stereo imaging. The staff at Upscale are knowledgeable and professional and a pleasure to deal with. I'm fairly new to this hobby and Upscale Audio is definitely my "go to" dealer. Thank you!”

Helpful Report

Posted 5 years ago

“A wonderful sounding tube amp. Simply sublime! The KT 88’s are the way to go! A great match to a PrimaLuna preamp.”

Helpful Report

Posted 6 years ago

“I have a Rogue Audio Stereo-90 driving Dunlavy SC-IV's. Beautiful KT88 power! I bought the Mystere PA-21 to support a Dunlavy HRCC-I center channel speaker, which is a very large enclosure that requires some power to get the voices just right. Even without breaking in, the Mystere with KT88's sounds so smooth and detailed. Easily replaced a McCormack DNA1 Duluxe SS amp. After about 50Hrs it has started to bed in and sounds even better. I can't wait to throw in some NOS Siemans EL34's & Sylvania 6SN7's to see how they sing! Great amp at a great value!”

Helpful Report

Posted 6 years ago

“After 35 years of ARC and VTL tube gear, on a pair of floorstanding, undemanding Sonus Faber speakers hooked up an old Dyna while an ARC 6550 amp was being re-tubed - I was reminded how sweet and holographic EL34 tubes can be. At this stage I realized I was willing to trade some dynamic performance to obtain more musical involvement - more about enjoying the music than being admiring of the performance. Thus began a search for a new tube type amp other than the 6550's I've used since the mid 1980's. After a bit of research and listening to a number of higher end amps ($10/20k) with KT120 and KT150 tubes, just walked away un-involved. Decided to limit my search to low wattage amps - less that 60 watts, but decided that I likely would not be happy long term limited to the 5/15 watts of typical 300b SE amps. There are a number of push pull amps that originally used 300b's, but typically the manufacturers of those products have converted over to KT88's. At any rate, in spite of a less that glowing review of this amp by Dick Olsner - of who I am in extremely high regard, I obtained an amp from Upscale Audio, Kevin a wonderful source of tubes and tube information. I obtained the amp due to its ability to use EL34's in spite of the fact that it came with KT88's - figuring I'd spend some time giving those a try first and having some El34 Mullards I had on hand to roll in. After a few days with the KT88's - clearly not yet broken in - I appreciated the balance compared to 6550s, but something wasn't there which was in the Dyna's. I then rolled in the well used EL34's and amazing - there really was magic... I'm very, very pleased - musicality in spades w/ no loss of information. The amps self bias, a wonderful technology update. A side switch lets the user select side which bias setting/tubes to use, and the amp take care of the rest. The amps may not be great for every user - system interactions surely come into play. The amp is running on efficient 4ohm speakers, and 55 watts @ 8ohm may not be enough current for many speakers, in fact other speakers that I own, but if your speakers are 90dB or higher and don't need an arc welder to drive them, these may be for you. Music type may be relevant too. Certainly favors acoustic cuts - rockers and techno/electronic lovers may want to look elsewhere. Although I was prepared to spend a very good bit more, glad I didn't need to. If any of the above changes over time, I'll edit or re-post, but for the moment, I'm a very happy camper.”

2 Helpful Report

Posted 9 years ago