REVIEW: Prima Luna Evo 100 Preamp

EVO 100 Preamplifier Specifications
Price $1,999
Inputs 4x Stereo RCA
Outputs 2x Stereo RCA
Stereo RCA Tape Out
Gain 10.8 dB
Freq. Response 15Hz-80kHz +/- 3dB
THD 0.2% @ 2V
S/N Ratio 93dB, 100dBA
Input Sensitivity 580mV
Input Impedance 220kΩ
Output Impedance 2800Ω
Power Consumption 52 Watts
Standard Tube Complement 2 - 12AX7
2 - 12AU7
2 - 5AR4
Dimensions (WxHxD) 11" x 7.5" x 15.9"
Weight 30.8 lbs

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Twitter: @AudiophiliacMan

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[upscaleaudio]

Steve - I am so pleased and humbled that you feel so strongly about the PrimaLuna. Thank you so much. We design it neutral, so it can go brighter or darker easily. Add warmth? Add one pair JJ 12AX7. Maybe $40. Some people have asked about output impedance. The EVO300 and 400 preamps have a cathode-follower design resulting in a 256 ohm output impedance for those power amps that are crazy low input impedance. The EVO100 will be fine with at least 90% of the amps out there. Kevin Deal

[rickyblair]

Very few reviewers can make the reader or watcher feel like they have heard the gear being talked about but Steve does, awesome

[davidjohnston]

I love my prima luna evo 300 matched with Cornwall 4s and set of REL carbon specials. It's used with a Rega p8 and the more hours I get on this setup the better it sounds. I swapped the power tubed from the EL34s to the KT150s. I thought it gave more headroom, but after several months I switched back to the EL34s and they are definitely so musical. I am very happy to have this tube amp!

[robertgustafson]

I have owned Prima Luna Prologue III pre amp for about 10 years. It appears to be a predecessor of the EVO 100. I have been pleased with the sound and reliability of the preamp and you noted the support network. Thanks for the review!.

[grahamlester]

Prima Luna are a breath of fresh air in the Audio World, the build and sound quality are way above their price point and is aimed at the real World music lover, I live in the UK and the importer, Absolute Sounds imports the finest and (most expensive ) collection of gear on the planet and yet they feel Prima Luna is a worthy addition to their brand base, praise indeed!
Looking at the YouTube sites and viewing the high end systems they all sound fantastic but then they mention the component costs, I was looking at one the other day and the equipment racks were $35000.00.

[williamlegall]

No one could be more interesting AND less boring. Steve is simply amazing, though everyone already realizes this fact, but just had to say it anyway. I'm in an audio-related business, for decades, and the last thing I want to hear is audio commentary. This being said, I never get tired of Steve, and learn many things each and every time. In fact, each time I learn of how little I know. (I try not to dwell on this realization:-)

[linnemeyerhere]

I wholeheartedly agree and I've been all over the audio landscape starting with a Fischer 500C bought used for my mom wayback in the many solid state solutions till I returned home with my PL HP premium integrated and sonically I've returned to home sweet home !

[Krell]

Rocking a PrimaLuna Evo 300 integrated here. Stunning in every way. Build is off the charts, sound is just incredible. PrimaLuna have knocked it out of the park with the Evo range. Great review too Steve!

[williammcenaney]

Thank you, Steve. It's great to know you like the Evo 100 because mine arrived two days ago. Paired with the new B&W 705 Signature speakers, it's a dream come true for this old opera buff. So I should thank my dear friend Nick Shippey for recommending my new gear.

[billbones]

Steve, I have a prima Luna prologue one, purchased used for 1000$ Canadian dollars. I absolutely love it, last amp I'll ever buy. Pared with a pair of open baffle spatial audio speakers is a pretty impressive sound for a very reasonable price!

[hophilter]

Hey Steve, we crossed paths in the Prima Luna room at AXPONA 2019. You came in, checked out the hardware briefly and then sat right next to me. You closed your eyes to listen to the music they were demoing. I didnt say hi because I didnt want to bother. Hope all is well!

[koolbeans]

I purchased a PrimaLuna EVO 300 preamp partially because this review and my hifi system has never sounded better. It's audio on another level completely and I love it.

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[genehart]

My most recent audio purchases after over 50 years in the hobby were geared toward longevity and legacy value; hence my purchase of Prima Luna electronics. After about four years of ownership i feel that the choice was a wise one. Extremely pleased with the equipment for all the reasons that you mention plus this stuff is built to be handed down, much like the classic gear from 50-60 years ago.

[pauljoyquilter]

Totally agree with you on the value, build and sound quality of the PrimaLuna gear. I run the big VTL 7.5 with Siegfrieds but I still smile and tap my foot every time I listen to my secondary system with the PrimaLuna EVO400 integrated. It’s just so musically communicative and engaging. Thanks for your insight Steve. We share not only age and parallel experiences in HiFi retail, but also a fair bit in musical tastes. All the best...

[RJ_Chicago]

Steve, not surprised that the PrimaLuna Preamplifier hit it out of the park. I have a Dialogue Premium HP integrated amp and it is fantastic and built like a tank. When I go to pick this thing up which I try not to do often, I have to be ready and feeling strong! My one complaint is that the little rubber bands on each end of the remote break. But PrimaLuna delivers the quality.

[antoinerigault]

Great review Sir. I always had a love & hate relationship between solid state vs tube gear… But, it may sound crazy after some time with Primaluna, switched to Pass Lab (which was truly excellent but I was missing something…) so went back to Primaluna Evo 400 preamp paired with Evo 400 monoblocks… Class A all the way at a fraction of the price.

[rolson]

Shout out to Herbie Mann at the Village gate. One of if not the best live jazz albums of all time.

[DSupremeLounge]

I have a Primaluna Prologue Preamp w/gold lion tubes (kept rectifier tubes... they’re awesome) mated with Primaluna Prologue 7 monoblocks w/gold lion kt88’s and Tannoy Revolution XT8F”s and I’m happier than a fat kid with cake

[louiesipes]

Thanks Steve, you’ve just confirmed my suspicions. Now to start saving😀

[slam]

My system is Prima Luna Dialogue Plus w/Dialogue Premium HP power amp. These amps are so musical and fast it is jaw dropping. Manley Chinook phono stage, Kiseki PH cart and VPI HRX turntable. JBL 4425 studio monitors complete the presentation. Speakers are placed so perfect HxWxD create a true sound stage that is like being there. Power tube are KT77's, remainder Gold Lion.