Hello,
here I am again. And today with some sound impressions to the TRAFOMATIC PRIMAVERA. Please forgive the partly inaccurate wording, but English is not my mother language, you know...
The headphone amplifier of the small manufacturer from Mladenovac not only marks the tube-reinforced top model of the Serbs, but confidently and blatantly claims a top position in the sound Olympics. And already the dimensions of the classic tube amplifier leave no doubt that the Serbian manufacturer wants to set a striking and clear exclamation mark with regard to the aforementioned ambitions.
Tube Amplifier Par Excellence
With dimensions of 340 x 480 x 240 mm (W x D x H) and a weight of a proud 30 kg, probably no inexperienced newcomer to the illustrious circle of the Grail Knights of Sound would think that the TRAFOMATIC PRIMAVERA, given these dimensions, could actually be the drive unit for an ear loudspeaker. The single-ended Tube-beau is a handmade small series product that impresses with its excellent workmanship and feel and IMO a very successful material mix of chrome- plated, brushed and painted steel and aluminum elements.
Also, completely separate power supplies for both channels, as well as high-quality internal components such as selected Mundorf capacitors, highly inductive filter chokes and oversized output transformers from own production are proof of the manufacturer's efforts to create a monumental masterpiece in this product series. Moreover, TRAFOMATIC AUDIO also manufactures the headphone amplifier in any desired RAL color, and even the type of coating (soft-touch or glossy lacquer surfaces) can be freely selected by the customer. Against surcharge of course.
Each PRIMAVERA is therefore unique, which is usually only manufactured individually after the order has been placed. Currently only a few units per year leave the holy halls in Mladenovac, which again underlines the worldwide exclusivity. Especially since the official sales price in Europe is settling at a whopping 11,999 Euros (14,999 US$).
Thus the TRAFOMATIC PRIMAVERA is almost on a par with a VIVA EGOISTA 845 (12,800 €), or the WOO AUDIO WA33 in the Elite Edition (14,999 US$). So it almost goes without saying that the Serbian tube amp also offers the performance values that are usual in this class.
Power Rules
The PRIMAVERA provides identical 2 x 9 watts into 50 ohms at both its 4-pin XLR and the mandatory 6.3 mm Neutrik socket. The same applies of course to the two 3-pin outputs in the immediate vicinity. Not bad for a single-ended DHT (Directly Heated Triode) tube amp in pure Class-A operation. However, the maximum power consumption of 280 watts is not bad either. This is probably also due to the power-hungry amplifier layout with strictly selected pairs of tubes, consisting of 2 x 6S45P in the preamp section and 2 x SV811-10 power tubes.
Due to a sensitively graded impedance adjustment from 25 - 600 ohms, the potentially high-quality playing partners are also perfectly conditioned for their sonic purpose - to help the Knight of the Grail of fine tones in combination with the Serbian alpha-player to achieve a unique musical adventure. Of course, the TRAFOMATIC PRIMAVERA is also capable of handling the most demanding headphone loads on the planet due to its enormous power reserves.
For this reason, I chose the HIFIMAN SUSVARA as the ear loudspeaker for the following listening test. With an efficiency of 83 dB/mW, it is not necessarily one of the most efficiently headphones. The Chinese/American ear loudspeaker also mercilessly expose every acoustic weakness of the player, no matter how small. On the other hand, the ABYSS AB1266 PHI TC, which is also relatively insensitive, is given an extensive playing time on the TRAFOMATIC PRIMAVERA, in order to fully sound out the spatial imaging capabilities of the Serbian tube amplifier in addition to determining the bass qualities.
The signal source is my iMAC equipped with AUDIRVANA+ software. The BAKOON DAC21, which plays very "analog", prepares the digital fare for the PRIMAVERA in a first- class manner. The signal cable (USB + RCA) is made up of my well-proven CHORD EPIC- series strips, the power cable for the TRAFOMATIC is provided by SHUNYATA RESEARCH in form of an ALPHA-HC. Further information about the TRAFOMATIC PRIMAVERA can be found on the homepage of the Serbian manufacturer Trafomatic.com
Sonic Tube Olympic
Before I start the technical sound assessment, I allow the TRAFOMATIC PRIMAVERA an almost obligatory 50 hours of recording time. Experience has shown that the bass response of tube amplifiers is particularly improved afterwards.
And in combination with the AB1266 PHI TC the bass range is really something special. Not only does the bass reach down ultra-deep and really plumb the very last corner of the frequency cellar accurately and without noticeable pressure loss, it also has an excellent, albeit rather slim structure and convinces with a bone dry and impulse-fast attack.
Regardless of the listening level, the PRIMAVERA never shows signs of acoustic fatigue, maintains control effortlessly and confidently, and fires the American monster with bass attacks that make me fear and anxiety about the durability of the orthodynamic radiator's wafer-thin membrane material.
The TRAFOMATIC doses the bass volume in a masterly manner and ensures that the bass range does not overlap the fundamental range at any time. The base tone is not of an earthy, warm nature, which is rather untypical for tube amplifiers, but clearly maintains the neutral line and thus serves as a natural, because at the same time substantial, basis for the mid-range relevant to the sound. And especially in the mid frequency range the PRIMAVERA shows impressively what the Serbian tube amp is made of. This dreamlike exact measure of acoustic imaging, precise focusing and at the same time razor-sharp changes of voices and instruments has to be experienced to be believed.
At the same time, the TRAFOMATIC combines plasticity and airiness in an impressive way, so that in spite of the well-known excessive stage imaging of the AB1266 PHI TC, a pinpoint exact location is possible at any time without any problems. In addition, the respective actors are always placed transparently in the spatial context in the correct proportion. This is undoubtedly world class. The musical reproduction, however, is free of a flowery play of timbres, partly because the large ABYSS does not necessarily prefer this, and partly because the PRIMAVERA is committed to the most neutral reproduction possible.
The TRAFOMATIC also proves a great deal of sensitivity for rhythm and timing and, in combination with the headphone legend by Joe Skubinski, provides the now completely enthusiastic Knight of the Grail, that’s me, with a musically highly emotional experience. Especially as this congenial combination also makes a lasting impression in the high frequency range. Even the smallest tonal ramifications are resolved in detail and without any sharpness with a delicate tube meltdown. In addition, reverberation vanes appear completely natural, resulting in an absolutely authentic spatial impression.
With regard to the dynamic power reserves, no wishes remain unfulfilled. Because the TRAFOMATIC PRIMAVERA is able to unleash an acoustic storm attack on the eardrums without any compression whatsoever, which is unrivalled. And also the superb fine dynamics meet the highest demands. Just this great. Hard to imagine that this performance can be topped. Nevertheless, the interaction with the HIFIMAN SUSVARA teaches me better. And once again it shows me that Aristotle can't be completely wrong. For the whole is more than the sum of its parts.
Bass quality and quantity in combination with the SUSVARA reach almost the ideal state. Draft, pressure and volume in absolute harmony, especially since the somewhat more powerful bass of the HIFIMAN is perfectly levelled out by the PRIMAVERA's slim contours compared to the ABYSS. In addition, the Serb drums precisely to the point with raven black basses.
Also in the mid and high frequency range the TRAFOMATIC PRIMAVERA always maintains the perfect musical balance in combination with the masterpiece of Dr. Fang Bian - in a fascinating way at the same time. Based on a slightly more vivid base tone, any musical journey is not only drawn with the finest brush and individual tonal events are reproduced in breadth and depth in an extremely airy and spacious manner, but also coherently united to form a great whole. A three-dimensional masterpiece.
My Conclusion
No question at all. In my opinion the TRAFOMATIC PRIMAVERA is one of the very best tube amplifiers for operation via ear loudspeakers, that you can buy for money.
It combines the fundamental strengths of the tube principle such as impulse speed, spatial imaging and naturalness with the outstanding performance of transistor amplifiers, garnishes them with a proper pinch of emotion and impresses with highly dynamic and unrestrained joy of playing.
The fact that the PRIMAVERA does without the sound characteristics of classical tube amplifiers, such as an exuberant richness of tone color and a sometimes unrealistic size representation, is in my opinion highly to be credited.
Unfortunately, the Serbian super-tube will probably continue to be rarely found in the wild in the future. Especially since the TRAFOMATIC PRIMAVERA is only awarded by the Serbian manufactory to hand-picked knights of the Grail of the very finest tones in return for a not inconsiderable monetary tribute.
This amplifier is without doubt a musical dream. And dreaming may finally be allowed.
Yours Fidelio
