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Before I started testing the Linear Tube Audio Aero D/A processor, I carefully installed the two 12SN7 tubes and made sure the tubes' heater voltage had been correctly set with the rear-panel switch. I measured the Aero with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system, first using optical and coaxial S/PDIF data, then repeating some of the tests with USB data sourced from my MacBook Pro. (The TosLink input didn't lock consistently to data sampled at rates higher than 96kHz.)

The USB Prober utility identified the D/A processor as "LTA Aero" from "LTA," with the serial…

One August night in 1965, I parked in the driveway of my best friend Derf Marko's house and let myself in the back door. As I entered, I could see to the bottom of the basement stairs, where I observed a loud pulsing darkness with plumes of agreeably acrid smoke floating up through the stairwell. Back in the darkness, I heard Derf/Fred and another person making declarative statements in loud unintelligible bursts. When I reached the bottom of the stairs, Marko's basement rec room looked like a trashed-out…

The first cable in front of a source—particularly a 0.3mV output source like the XX2—is unavoidably a factor in overall system sound. It is easy to observe this first-cable effect with digital converters and phono stages, both of which can be picky about wires and tend to favor one brand of interconnect over others. I figured tonearm cables could be even more picky.

I know that small-signal audio junctions, like the one at the output of a phono cartridge, are fraught with electromagnetic challenges that (I presume) different cables will handle differently. The prime challenge…

Still, I have long remained skeptical. I am, I confess, a certain kind of audiophile, a blend of purist and traditionalist. I favor older technologies and simpler circuits. Amplifiers—including integrated amplifiers—should be tubed, input to output.…

Listening
With the indicator light green, I positioned the Hana Umami Blue MC cartridge, mounted on the VPI FatBoy tonearm, over the lead-in section of a 1960s stereo pressing of The Beatles' Rubber Soul (Odeon 1C 072-04 115). The angular electric guitars of "Drive My Car" flared. I was immediately taken by the EVO 300's energy.

The PrimaLuna conjured a panoramic stereo stage for the Beatles; this was the most balanced, cohesive reproduction of this album's music I've heard. Familiar elements remained but seemed subtly rearranged due to the increased clarity, presence, power…

Description: Hybrid tube input/solid state output, dual-mono integrated amplifier with headphone jack and remote, outputting 100Wpc into 8 ohms (20dBW), 150Wpc into 4 ohms (18.75dBW) at 0.2% THD. Tube complement: 6 12AU7 (2 input, 4 driver). Inputs: 5 pairs single-ended (RCA), one pair single-ended home theater bypass (RCA). Outputs: Two pairs loudspeaker output terminals, tape (RCA), stereo/mono sub (RCA), headphone (6.35mm). Frequency response: 10Hz–80kHz ±3dB. THD+N <0.2% (measured at 1kHz, 100W into 8 ohms). Signal/noise ratio: 105dB, A-weighted. Damping…

Analog sources: VPI Avenger Direct turntable/VPI 12" FatBoy tonearm/Hana Umami Blue MC cartridge.
Preamplification: PrimaLuna EVO 100 phono stage, Aurorasound Vida phono stage.
Integrated amplifiers: PrimaLuna EVO 400, Riviera Labs Levante.
Loudspeakers: Devore Fidelity O/baby, Quad Revela 1, Volti Audio Razz.
Cables: Interconnects: Agent Pur, AudioQuest Pegasus, Triode Wire Labs Spirit II (RCA). Speaker: AudioQuest William Tell. AC: AudioQuest NRG Z, Triode Wire Labs Obsession NCF.
Accessories: Pro-Ject VC-S2 ALU RCM, HumminGuru…

I performed a complete set of measurements on the PrimaLuna EVO 300 Hybrid with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system. I preconditioned the amplifier by following the CEA's recommendation of operating it at one-eighth the specified power into 8 ohms for 30 minutes before I started the testing. At the end of that time, the amplifier's side-mounted heatsinks were almost too hot to touch, at 135.1°F (57.3°C). The temperature of the top panel was 101.8°F (38.8°C). This amplifier needs plenty of ventilation.

The review sample wasn't fitted with the optional moving…

I have never really enjoyed…