PrimaLuna has been a respected name in the audio world since its inception, with a focus on providing top-notch audio equipment to discerning customers. Their latest release, the EVO 100 Tube Phonostage, continues this tradition by offering a dual-mono phonostage with an emphasis on simplicity, quality, and performance.
One of the standout features of the EVO 100 is its massive power transformer, which is custom-built to PrimaLuna's exacting standards. This transformer is paired with 5AR4 tube rectification, which helps to reduce low-frequency power supply noise, resulting in a cleaner signal path.
The EVO 100 is also notable for its support of both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges. The MM stage offers two capacitance settings, while the MC stage offers three gain and five input impedance settings. The delicate signals in the MC stage are protected by mechanically decoupling the board, ensuring that your precious vinyl collection is treated with the care it deserves.
One of the key selling points of the EVO 100 is its simplicity. The controls and features have been kept to a minimum, allowing users to focus on the music and not on tweaking knobs and switches. Gain can be adjusted with a turn of the knob, and load adjustment is similarly easy with just five settings to choose from.
Inside the EVO 100, you'll find the same high-quality components that PrimaLuna is known for, including ceramic tube sockets, Nichicon and DuRoch capacitors, and gold-plated connectors. The parts are joined together using point-to-point wiring, ensuring a clean and accurate signal path.
The all-tube design of the EVO 100 is another standout feature. Two EL34 power tubes are used to reduce low-frequency power supply noise, while four 12AX7 form the gain stage for the MM setting. Gain for MC is from two 6922 tubes. The result is a warm, full-bodied sound that brings out the best in your vinyl collection.
At 27.9 lbs, the EVO 100 is built like a tank, with a heavy gauge steel chassis and PrimaLuna's signature deep, glassy five-coat paint. Each coat is hand-rubbed and polished, giving the phonostage a look of elegance and sophistication.
Overall, the PrimaLuna EVO 100 Tube Phonostage is an impressive piece of audio equipment that offers simplicity, quality, and performance in equal measure. Whether you're a vinyl enthusiast looking to get the most out of your collection, or a lover of all things tube-based, the EVO 100 is sure to impress.