[ThanatosVI]

I'd recommend you look at (and listen to) the Wells Audio Dragon. It is a hybrid SS/Tube amp. It is fast and yet has a tube sound. There are four different gain settings as well as the option to roll 12BH7 and 6DJ8 tubes. This means that the gain can scale up to 24db so it is super flexible as to what headphones it will drive well. The Level II and Level III versions have 1amp of current, which you'll need for the 1266s and Susvaras. It drives 1266s well with 12db. I just received my Susvaras today and bumped the gain up to 18db (with the 12BH7s). It is an interesting amp and sounds amazing. Wells is in the San Jose area so you may be able to setup an audition.

The pricing of the Wells Dragon is especially nice compared to the other mentioned amplifiers.

 

[TDinCali]

Thanks gents!

I pulled the trigger on a Primaluna Evo 400i and should have it tomorrow.

 

[mammal]

Thanks gents!

I pulled the trigger on a Primaluna Evo 400i and should have it tomorrow.

Congrats man! Please report back how much heat the unit produces, thank you.

 

[OceanRanger]

Thanks gents!

I pulled the trigger on a Primaluna Evo 400i and should have it tomorrow.

Awesome, congratulations! I am looking forward to hearing about your impressions.

 

[ThanatosVI]

Thanks gents!

I pulled the trigger on a Primaluna Evo 400i and should have it tomorrow.

I'm sure you will be happy with it.
Thanks for reporting your decision.

The biggest impact on sound comes from the innermost 12au7 tubes.
So when you start rolling those are the ones to change first.

If you want to change the power tubes to KT150 the cage doesn't fit anymore, but there are workarounds.

I hope you use speakers as well, otherwise the 300 would have been a much cheaper choice for tube rolling(uses half of the tubes) and the most significant difference is the power output.

 

[TDinCali]

Just received delivery .
I can’t believe how heavy this thing is. The box weighted 87lbs. (Almost 40kgs). If you packed this thing full of iron or lead it would be lighter…geez…

first thoughts…I need a serious rack. I have to leave it on the floor temporarily.

second thoughts…I like the macro dynamics but the unit is a touch bright, which I understand goes away after a certain burn in period. So far so good.

 

[ThanatosVI]

Just received delivery .
I can’t believe how heavy this thing is. The box weighted 87lbs. (Almost 40kgs). If you packed this thing full of iron or lead it would be lighter…geez…

first thoughts…I need a serious rack. I have to leave it on the floor temporarily.

second thoughts…I like the macro dynamics but the unit is a touch bright, which I understand goes away after a certain burn in period. So far so good.

Which power tubes did it come with?
EL34?

 

[TDinCali]

Which power tubes did it come with?
EL34?

yes

 

[mammal]

Just received delivery .
I can’t believe how heavy this thing is. The box weighted 87lbs. (Almost 40kgs). If you packed this thing full of iron or lead it would be lighter…geez…

first thoughts…I need a serious rack. I have to leave it on the floor temporarily.

second thoughts…I like the macro dynamics but the unit is a touch bright, which I understand goes away after a certain burn in period. So far so good.

How hot does it run?

 

[TDinCali]

And 20 minutes into listening….bam…tube goes out listening on my Susvara’s…

 

[TDinCali]

The music started to sound weird just before a tube flashed and then the red indicator light went on and then no sound.

Update: Upscale audio called and emailed me. In fact two different people reached out.

I spent an almost an hour with one of the tech's trying to solve the problem. Upon powering the unit back up only one channel worked. Switching out the tubes made no difference. The tube that light up initially and the indicator light showed as bad was no longer showing a issue but the unit continued to play from one channel. I opened up the fuses and sure enough the fuse for one channel went out. The problem now is getting a spare. Amazon has them but it will take 5 days. Upscale audio is trying to get a fuse sooner. Regardless the dealer support has been really good. I'll keep you guys posted.

Update #2: Found a fuse to replace the original and the unit is working again!

 

[TDinCali]

While reading the evo 400 integrated manual I came across this line about contacting them if I use a Susvara or 1266. Well I was using a Susvara when I blew the fuse. It played great with my Utopia and Empyrean. Anyone know what the modification is that they allude to?

 

[thecrow]

While reading the evo 400 integrated manual I came across this line about contacting them if I use a Susvara or 1266. Well I was using a Susvara when I blew the fuse. It played great with my Utopia and Empyrean. Anyone know what the modification is that they allude to?

For me, that does not read as being a modification but more about giving potential customers reasons why their amps would be able to drive susvaras.

 

[ThanatosVI]

While reading the evo 400 integrated manual I came across this line about contacting them if I use a Susvara or 1266. Well I was using a Susvara when I blew the fuse. It played great with my Utopia and Empyrean. Anyone know what the modification is that they allude to?

The PrimaLuna headphone out uses the usual power circuit and only Puts some resistors on the headphone out.

The modification most likely is a smaller resistor.

 

[TDinCali]

Quick update.

Amp sounds great with Utopia’s and Empyrean but as soon as I plug in my Susvara it all goes to s**t. Something within the amp doesn’t like it and after 2-3 minutes of playing at any volume past 12 o’clock the music begins to distort badly.

Initial dealer reaction is that they have no idea of cause but are investigating. A warning to anyone pairing these amps to Susvaras. It’s odd that their manual calls this out yet no one can tell me what they mean by modification to circuit.