Sumiko Primare 301 Amplifiers

Sumiko Primare 301 Amplifiers 

DESCRIPTION

80 Watt Integrated Amplifier

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-7 of 7  
[Sep 04, 2017]
hieppv
AudioPhile

I was so happy with this amp.Try it,you'll buy it.These silver beauties will be with me for a very long time indeed.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 29, 2003]
abadan
AudioPhile

Strength:

Excellent tonal balance, very natural sound, plenty of power, robust build quality

Weakness:

Remote control handset supplied is cheap

Prior to buying this amplifier, I used a Naim Nait 3R for about five years. I was beginning to find that the Naim, whilst a very good amplifier in it's own right, did not exert sufficient grip over my Sonus Faber Concerto's. So, I decided to try other amplifiers. The amplifiers I auditioned were: Naim NAC112/NAP150 pre/power, Unison Research SR1 (hybrid) and the Primare A30.1. I found the Unison Research too dark and warm and also not very natural compared to the other two amplifiers. The Naim Pre/Power combination was good. It's timing and musicality were excellent, with a good tonal balance all round. But, the Primare A30.1 was the star of the audition. My dealer let me take it home and keep it for about two weeks before I decided to purchase. It is dual mono, weighs around 15 kg and is very well finished. It also has one set of balanced inputs. It sounds much more natural compared to the amplifiers mentioned above with more than enough control and grip. The tonal balance is excellent with a particularly well defined (but not disproportionate) midband. I mainly listen to jazz (Stan Getz, Diana Krall etc) and this amplifier complements my Sonus Faber Concerto's and Copland CD player very well. The only complaint I have is regarding the quality of the remote control handset supplied with the unit. It is made of plastic and looks cheap (probably because it is).

Similar Products Used:

Unison Research SR1, Naim 112/150 pre/power, Naim Nait 3R

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
3
[May 13, 2001]
Yong
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Neutrality, dynamic and balance..good look

Weakness:

Not much at the price...

One of the best int. amp at this price range..a lot of power , superior in balance, imaging dynamic and soundstage. Can drive most of the speaker with ease.
equipment used.
Sony DVP 9000ES
Dynaudio contour 1.8 MK II
Van den hul The first ultimate
Van den hul The wind MK II

Similar Products Used:

Krell KAV 300i, Musical fidelity A3, Classe 150

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Feb 17, 1998]
Cenci Vincenzo
an Audio Enthusiast

Need advice from somebody have real experience whith integrated amplifier Primare System 301 C. Thanks.

OVERALL
RATING
3
VALUE
RATING
[Jan 28, 1999]
Mike Hanson
an Audiophile

I auditioned the Primare 301 today, with the Primare D30 CD as a source and listening to the Triangle Zephyr speakers. I had listened to a few tube amps(full and hybrid) prior to the Primare, and I wasn't really happy with the tube sound. I tend to listen to very highly produced work, so the tube sound is not as pleaseant for me. I seem to prefer the tighter bass from a solid state amp. (I must admist, I haven't heard that many tube amps yet, but I've not liked any of them yet.)
Anyway, the Primare had a very tight sound, and seem to perform very complex material (full audio spectrum) without disappointing me. I'm not sure that I'll buy it yet, but It's definitely in the running.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
[Dec 18, 1999]
Veda
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Neutrality

Weakness:

Constrained, flat, and uninvolving

Overpriced and very non-impressive sound. It doesn't have anything to boast about with the exception of neutrality(sounds like it to me). The Roksan Caspian killed it in every single area. Unless you like the look, this is one product to avoid.

Similar Products Used:

Roksan Caspian, Bryston B-60, Sim Audio I-5080, Krell KAV300-i

OVERALL
RATING
2
VALUE
RATING
2
[Jan 20, 2001]
Slavomir Baberad
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

excellent neutrality, no color of its own, power, deep bass, good midrange, dual mono, seemingly absolute control

Weakness:

so far none, being overcritical, perhaps less dynamic

I bought this amp after very long auditioning of various brands, but all throughout this process kept somehow returning to this one. The funny thing is you can´t say what´s so good about the sound it generates. Likewise you can´t point at any weak spots, it just does its job and that with full control over the signal, no matter what sort of music or dynamics. Everything seems to be easy, natural and true.

It sports very good detail, hooking up various cables or CD players makes you aware of their different qualities or tonal features. In that this amp is absolutely amazing.

The size is very convenient, it seems to be small but it´s really heavy and excellently built dual mono without any compromise. It sports two pairs of XLR connectors and allows you to revert the phase, which, at this price level, is rarely to be seen.

Summing it all up, at this price range and even amps costing you twice as much, it´s difficult to find an integrated that would beat this one. Strongly recommended.

Similar Products Used:

Copland CS 28, Classe CAP 101

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 1-7 of 7  

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