The Revolutionary PrimaLuna EVO 300 Hybrid: A Perfect Marriage of Valve and Solid-State Technology
Since 2003, PrimaLuna has built its reputation on pure valve amplification, with a clear mission of delivering high-performance valve-based audio components at affordable prices while resolving the reliability issues that had often dissuaded people from investing in the sonic beauty of valves. Now, in 2021, a new amplifier joins the range – and for the first time in PrimaLuna's history, it's not a pure valve amp.
A Groundbreaking Collaboration
The EVO 300 Hybrid Integrated Amplifier results from a collaboration between PrimaLuna and Floyd Design – the solid-state design arm of Durob, PrimaLuna's parent company. PrimaLuna has designed the valve-based preamp stage, while Floyd Design has created the solid-state power stage. The two have worked together to mould a hybrid amp that delivers the best of both worlds.
True to the Valve Heritage
The preamp stage uses six hand-selected 12AU7 valves (2 x input, 4 x driver) – not a vague nod to valves in the signal path, like most other hybrid amps, but a properly engineered valve stage. This substantial commitment to valve technology ensures the amplifier delivers the effusive fluidity of valves.
Commanding Solid-State Power
The dual-mono solid-state power section incorporates paired JFETs from Linear Systems and specially manufactured MOSFETs, delivering over 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms (typically 115W) and more than 150 watts into 4 ohms (typically 170W). In a hybrid system, the solid-state components may be considered the invaders. Thus, it is essential to choose solid-state components that behave similarly to a tube. MOSFETs share similar characteristics to valves, and Jan de Groot, the head of Floyd Design, has created amps with MOSFETs for 26 years.
Premium Construction Throughout
The EVO 300 Hybrid's exemplary build quality:
- Hardwiring is used extensively throughout the circuit design
- Where PCBs are required, these are of the highest quality – 2.4mm thick with 105um gold-plated copper tracks
- The valve preamp stage includes two power supplies with separate transformers
- The solid-state power stage uses a dedicated 500VA transformer
- All power supplies benefit from PrimaLuna's 'AC Offset Killer' circuit, ensuring that DC on the mains never causes the transformers to hum
- It incorporates circuit components of the highest quality, sourced from manufacturers such as Takman, DuRoch, Nichicon, Alps, Linear Systems, Rubycon and Kemet
Practical Versatility
The amp comes with six inputs (5x line-level RCA, 1x home cinema bypass), tape out and sub out (mono and stereo). A fully shielded sub-chassis for the optional PhonoLogue phono stage attaches to the underside of the amp.
The Sonic Result
The result of this fusion of valve and solid-state excellence is an amp that delivers a tremendous dynamic range, deep and broad stereo imaging, smoothly expressive mid and high frequencies, taught and tuneful bass, and fast, punchy control.
Who Is the EVO 300 Hybrid For?
PrimaLuna believes people who have always played with solid-state equipment and have always been curious about tube equipment, but for some reason never took the step, may now take action towards tube equipment. Perhaps as an intermediate step? MOSFETs are, after all, the solid-state version of the tube.
Contact Martins Hi-Fi today to experience this revolutionary hybrid amplifierfor yourself.
