Professional Reviews
Dick Olsher, The Absolute Sound U.S.A.
". . . it makes no apologies to stereo amplifiers costing three times as much. It is my current benchmark in integrated tube amplifiers."
SAM TELLIG, STEREOPHILE U.S.A.
"I could easily live with [the DiaLogue Premium] and spend all my extra dough on digital downloads that I store in the Cloud. Unlike much of the bullshit reviewed and recommended in Stereophile and elsewhere, this amplifier is down to earth."
Dean Seislove, Positive Feedback Online U.S.A.
"The PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium grabs your attention at the get-go and delivers an exciting and engaging performance at an exceptionally low price for what you're getting. This is a product that inspires confidence in reliability and produces wonderful music, which makes it a cinch to recommend."
Rene van Es, The Ear U.K.
"I have owned PrimaLuna products in the past and several friends have been PrimaLuna owners for years now, so I know how reliable they are and how many measures have been taken to optimize the lifespan of the valves. Up to now this is the finest PL integrated amplifier I have had the pleasure to assess. It’s recommended for every type of music be it jazz, pop or classical. Whether it’s a Big Band, a pop artist or a soloist accompanied by a large orchestra, the DiaLogue Premium reproduces it effortlessly. This amplifier is simply a hit."
CHRISTIAAN PUNTER, HIFI-ADVICE.COM
Read this fabulous new review of the Wilson Audio Sabrina’s. Note the reviewer’s excitement about using them with the $9,000 Audio Research Ref 75. Until he plugs in a DiaLogue Premium…which had only been broken in for 20 minutes!
"Although I’d been warned by another dealer that the Sabrinas demand more juice than their efficient spec would suggest, against better judgement I also tried a PrimaLuna DiaLogue Premium tube power amp with them. Even in UltraLinear mode this amp provides only 36 watts with its stock EL34 tubes. Expecting a mushy sound I was overwhelmed to find that not only was the bass tight and powerful, the timbre had improved even further!
Everyone knows that tubes have their special way with voices and midrange in general and I have my fair share of experience in this field too, but I really did not expect this. Apparently this is one of those rare occasions where a magical match is made. After 20 minutes of playing time (the amp was brand new) involvement was raised to the point where it became hard to walk away. In spite of the low absolute power, the sound was incredibly captivating and dynamics were now seemingly more expansive than with either of the big transistor amps as well as the Ref 75. I couldn’t suppress a smile while I cued some vicious Madonna tracks while cranking up the volume. Smooth as smooth can be but boy now the Sabrinas sure rocked!"
Customer Reviews
Pete [don't mention my last name!]
From: Pete
Sent: November 15, 2014 1:57 PM
To: Kevin Deal
Subject: RE: VAC amp
Thanks for the test drive of the PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium. I understand that sound is in the ear of the beholder. I've heard expensive systems sound like crap, inexpensive system sound great and vice versa; listened to the audiophile elite blabber on about hearing awesome things and all I hear is it's a bit different.
The point of my rant is, only one other time have I opined on a product in 25+ years in this hobby. Flat out, without question or reservation the $3400 Prima Luna flat out bested my $11,000 "BIG BRAND" integrated in every dimension. Image, soundstage, detail, the spacial placement and slam factor are way better at 1/2 the power rating. And this is with the stock signal tubes! As always, I go into a equipment change as a curmudgeon, looking for the fault in the new piece. I have nothing. It's fantastic on all fronts. With the sale of the BIG BRAND piece, I actually have money left over that I need some help spending! How many times have you ever head that from a committed audiophile with a family! Keep doing what you're doing!
From: Pete
Sent: November 24, 2014 8:20 AM
To: Kevin Deal
Subject: RE: VAC amp
Hey Kevin,
It was the VAC Sigma 160i. In my email I used {BIG NAME AMP} – If you post on your web site – please no last names.
. . .
Call you later…
From: Pete
Sent: November 24, 2014 1:57 PM
To: Kevin Deal
Subject: RE: VAC amp
PS: With the amp-preamp combo, I cannot get the system to clip – ever - and I hammered it! The integrated would clip once or twice on extreme passages. I’d never even consider listening to music at that level – I’m talking The Who, pressed to the speaker stack, level where your deaf for 2 days after with bleeding eardrums.
From: Jim R.
Sent: Tuesday, November 08, 2016 7:48 PM
To: RSL Speaker Systems - Sales
Subject: Re: [RSL] - Main Contact Form: Best tube amp for RSL loudspeakers
I wanted to get back to you with my listening observations after having used the PrimaLuna DiaLogue Premium Integrated Amplifier with my RSL speakers for a couple of months now. Let me say that I have been very pleased with the PrimaLuna; it definitely brings out the best in my RSL speakers. All sources of music have improved in clarity, dynamics and detail. I listen to vinyl on a Rega RP3 with stock cartridge; albums sound very natural with what I consider to be little coloration. My digital source, the Sony HAP-Z1ES, sounds great as well, playing everything from mp3 files, standard CD resolution files, as well as HD music files, including DSD. I also occasionally stream music from Amazon and iTunes through the PrimaLuna; the sound is certainly acceptable, though not up to the quality of other sources. I use the 8 ohm taps on the amp which seem to work fine with my RSLs.
All in all, I am very satisfied with the PrimaLuna/RSL combination. Both products seem to complement each other. I could not imagine a better sounding system for the money, though some may laugh at my modest system.
Name: Kerry J.
To: Kevin Deal
Kevin,
I bought a Primaluna Dialogue Premium Integrated Amp from Upscale back in April 2017 and I just want to say this is the best piece of audio gear I have ever purchased. It's mated with a vintage pair of 1987 bone stock Klipschorns, and I want to tell you it has made these speakers come alive. They are like completely different speakers with the Primaluna than they were with a very good 250 watt solid state amp I had them mated to previously. Thank you for being part of such a great company making a superior product at an affordable price!