“I purchased a Primaluna Prologue Premium Preamp a few years ago. Curious how it would sound replacing a hybrid Vincent preamp, I was skeptical. My system is pure tube, except for the preamp, was the last standing. The Prologue was rather neutral with the sound. The mids were exceptional but lacked the higher frequency response. I rolled the Prologue with a pair of Radiotechnique and Brimar 12au7 tubes. GAME CHANGER! The tubes opened up the neutral mids. No apparent roll off in the high and low response! FANTASTIC! So I assumed that the Primaluna Dialogue Premium Preamp would be even better. I purchased the Dialogue through Upscale Audio and patiently waited. Upon arrivaI, I hooked it up and started the break'in process. I found that the Dialogue did not have the neutral sound the Prologue had. Stock, it was open and airy. The detail of the Dialogue was far better than the Prologue! Way better! So I found that I did not need to roll the Radiotechnique tubes into the driver position. I rolled the Brimar tubes into the driver position. The sonic improvements are astounding! So now the Radiotechniques are in the input stage and the Brinars are on the output driver stage. Perfect combo! Please understand, like all audiophiles everywhere, I have heard many different stereo combinations and had many different sets myself. Was even eventually going to get the Cary Audio SLP-05 (which I auditioned) but the Primaluna Dialogue Premuim Preamp out shined them all!”

Helpful Report

Posted 6 years ago

“The process of buying this Pre-amp took months and hundreds of miles, of driving back and forth, to audition many others. And after listening to many units 5 or 6 times more expensive than the PL Dialogue pre amp, I almost bought a SS unit costing way north of 10K, the only reason I did not go thru with the purchase was that I was not really happy with the sound, I still could not CONNECT emotionally to the music, then by pure chance I came across the reviews for this unit, and even though, I could not find a place to audition it, I decided to pull the trigger. Well the reviewers were all short in describing this unit. After plugging in this unit, with the incredible support of the staff and Kevin at Upscale Audio, for the first time in my life I was able to understand those esoteric terms audiophiles use like, Depth, Imaging, 3D, Organic and so on. But for me the best way to describe the sound this unit produces is, "now I can FEEL and Connect with the music", WOW !!! it touches your soul, makes my speakers, Kef R900's, sing with incredible sounding base, clarity, soul, life, the speakers disappear completely and all I have left is music the way artists meant to be heard. Kevin, Kat, Justin and all the staff Thank you!!! for your care, service and expertise, and this INCREDIBLE unit, you guys have made a customer for life.”

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Posted 6 years ago

Nelson Gonzalez

Unverified Reviewer

“I am writing this review for the PL Dialogue Preamp after having purchased the PL Dialogue Premium HP Amplifier and being blown away! It replaces my McIntosh C2300 preamp. I will just get right to it, in my opinion out of the box it crushed my C2300 in terms of Depth, Dimensionality, Visceral Presentation and Micro/Macro Detail. It breathes life into the Music, it adds a sense of realism that quite frankly can be startling. Instruments appear in a 3 dimensional space from a completely Black background, now it's an emotional experience, no more analyzing what is missing or what it can do better. If this is out of the box performance, I can only imagine how it will perform when properly broken in, what a combination! Thank You Kevin Deal, BRAVO!”

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Posted 7 years ago

“For the past 20 years, I have been using a preamp that is always on the Stereophile Class A list. It was also listed in the 50 most significant audio products in the past 50 years. I never tried other preamps because I was convinced that there was nothing better. My preamp was upgraded at the factory about every 5 years when the manufacturer improved the design. I was always pleased with the new sound. Last year, I was talking to Kevin about something else and he mentioned this PL Dialogue Premium Preamp. We looked at the pictures online while he explained the inner workings. I already knew what the inside of my beloved preamp looked like because I have opened it several times over the years to replace the tubes. The difference in build quality was significant and pique my interest. I bought the PL and, after a week of burn in, sat down for serious listening. I was shocked by the improvement in sound. This amp has a smooth top end that sparkles but without glare. The midband has more body than my previous preamp. I melted into my chair. Even though I loved the original sound, I upgraded the tubes after a month after talking to Kevin for suggestions. That took this preamp to another level of performance. I waited a year before writing this review to make sure that my opinion stayed the same after a year of listening to the preamp. I am still enamored by the sound. This is a great preamp and will stay in my system forever.”

1 Helpful Report

Posted 8 years ago

“This PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium PreAmplifier fronts for a McIntosh solid state power amplifier and pair of Martin Logan ESL speakers… This combination, in my listening space of 13 by 18 feet, creates an incredibly realistic soundscape. This Preamplifier, as it comes with the "stock" PrimaLuna tubes, is unbelievably beautiful and open within a few hours of run in time… Rolling in Genalex Gold Lions for the two 5AR4 rectifier tubes and four 12AU7 in later gain stages plus two 12AU7 1962 vintage Cifte tubes sitting in the drivers seat has my system sounding unbelievably lush and rich with amazing extension, edge, air and sparkle. An enigma wrapped in a paradox perhaps… This PrimaLuna Preamplifier brings such a dynamic, organic, open and holographic soundscape, I often feel totally enveloped in an original performance… I find myself looking around the room in disbelief wondering if I am sitting just a few feet from the performance or if I am actually on stage surrounded by the various band members… I am totally blown away!!! Thank you Keven and PrimaLuna for bringing such an incredible piece of artisanship to life. ddude - a digital dude trapped in an analogue body”

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Posted 8 years ago

Wallace Matthews

Unverified Reviewer

“I am more than pleased. It is as heavy as noted and care must be taken to be sure the shelving used can accommodate it. It is easy to connect and use. Break in is relatively short. Sound quality is superb. The price is more than competative. I recommend it highly.”

Helpful Report

Posted 8 years ago

“I purchased the PrimaLuna DiaLogue Premium Preamplifier about a month ago. I have been in the hobby for many years. I have owned BAT, Jadis, Sonic Frontiers 3 and a room correcting TacT preamp. Each of these had some outstanding features, but each of these had features that bothered me, so I moved on. Is the Dialogue the best preamp on the market? No, but it has that glorious tube mid-range as well decent extension on the top and bottom. It is dead quiet. It makes music. I can sit down, pop in a CD or record and listen for hours. I don't graze for songs that sound good, they all do. You can find preamps with greater extension, tighter base but you would pay a lot more. I paired this up with a PS Audio BHK Signature 250 Amp and Wilson Sabrina speakers. I am very happy with this combination. If you are looking for a preamp in this price range or double this price range, you have to listen. Talk to Kevin, he knows his product and I felt his advice was spot on. I still have some break-in to do with this unit. I can't wait to here what else it can do.”

Helpful Report

Posted 8 years ago

“This replaced a PrimaLuna Prologue Three preamp I bought about 3 - 4 years ago. I have a Pass Labs x150.5 amp, B & W 803D's and a Rega Apollo R CD player. The room is treated with 14 Real Traps and I have a RIVES Audio PARC device to tame a 80Hz bump in the room. The room sounds very good now. This preamp is far far better than the prologue 3. There is fantastic resolution and sense of airiness. The prologue three is warm sounding - this preamp is not. It is not warm and yet it is not etched either. CD's sound fantastic. I heard the difference literally w/i 10 secs of playing the first song - Miles Davis " Someday My Prince Will Come". Old CD's which I thought were muddy now sound far better with more openness and sense of space with much greater resolution. Bass is also very good. I have the stock tubes. This unit is a steal at the price. I cant imagine any preamp at any price being a significant improvement. My prologue three has been extremely reliable and I expect this unit to be the same. This pre does a perfect balancing act. Not too cold and not too warm - just right. I honestly did not expect it to sound this good. (I bought the unit used from a dealer via Audiogon).”

Helpful Report

Posted 9 years ago

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