Tube Warmth and Richness x MOSFET Power and Control: PrimaLuna EVO 300 Hybrid Tube Power Amplifier Delivers 160Wpc, Features Adaptive Autobias and Push-Button Triode/Ultra-Linear Switching

Stop debating over tubes versus solid-state by getting the advantages of both approaches in the PrimaLuna EVO 300 hybrid tube power amplifier. You’ll experience the warmth, richness, and smoothness of tubes with the control, power, and grip of MOSFET technology in this 8.1 x 15.2 x 15.9-inch (HWD) unit that outputs 160Wpc (into eight ohms) and, now or later, can be paired with another EVO 300 hybrid in mono mode to greatly enhance channel separation, soundstaging, and focus. Independent high-voltage power supplies for each tube and channel, factory-matched MOSFETs, and hand-made resonance-free output coils are a few of the audiophile touches that help make this component truly sing.  

Outfitted with six 12AU7 tubes and two-, four-, eight-, and 16-ohm outputs to suit practically any type of speaker you want to drive, the 68.3-pound EVO 300 has several advantages exclusive to PrimaLuna. They include Adaptive AutoBias, a smart, completely passive technology that employs sensors to monitor your tubes and makes adjustments in real time. Because it addresses “tube pinch off” at high volumes, the approach reduces distortion by a figure of more than 50 percent. Plus, EVO 300 runs its output tubes at a minimum dissipation without going into crossover distortion.  And if you want to hear how a record might sound in triode versus ultra-linear mode, one press of a button on the supplied remote control makes it happen. Easy!

True to PrimaLuna’s sterling reputation, the inside of EVO 300 houses parts that reflect a no-compromise build-quality ethic. Massive toroidal transformers are enclosed in a metal housing and potted in a non-microphonic resin to future reduce noise and protect the windings from deterioration. This solution far out-performs C- and EI-core types in outboard power supply boxes. Also on offer: custom super-wide-bandwidth output transformers, the most important (and expensive) part of any tube amp. Wound in-house and beefy in size, they ensure long tube life and contribute the desired “slam” any high-end system needs to reproduce music with convincing authority and presence. 

As long as we're on the subject of sound that will have you up listening into the wee hours of the morning: EVO 300 incorporates point-to-point wiring throughout — with Swiss-made, silver-plated, OCC copper with a Teflon dialect in the signal path for superb speed and transparency. Japanese-made Takman resistors, renowned for their linearity and naturalism, add to an audiophile feature set that also encompasses DuRoch tinfoil capacitors and ultra-quiet sealed relay inputs. You also get an AC Offset Killer, which lowers transformer noise to a level you need to hear to believe — and you will, especially when you experience the elevated degrees of texture, spaciousness, black backgrounds, and natural decay that result. 

EVO 300 slays when it comes to gorgeous midranges, controlled low-end depth, and airy, extended highs. But what about the trouble of dealing with tubes? In addition to ensuring long tube life, EVO 300 has tube indicator lights that illuminate when a tube goes bad — eliminating guesswork, soldering, and, worst case scenario, shipping your unit back to the manufacturer. And since you can use the supplied full-size remote to switch modes, operating EVO 300 is a breeze. 

Backed by a three-year manufacturer warranty, EVO 300 is deserving of a risk-free audition in your home. For more information on EVO 300 or any PrimaLuna gear, speak with a Music Direct audio consultant at 312-433-0200.