Integrated Amplifiers

Combining a triode line stage with a FET output need not mean 'triode/pentode amp' levels of distortion but PrimaLuna has jumped hoops to ensure the 'colour' of the EVO 300 Hybrid is as close to that of the all-tube EVO 300 [HFN Mar '21] as possible. Let's compare the Hybrid with the EL34-equipped EVO 300 (still a current model): gain is +37.4dB versus 37.1dB and the A-wtd S/N is 88.5dB versus 88.0dB (re. 0dBW). These are very close matches, but when it comes to power the Hybrid wins hands down with 2x120W/8ohm and 2x205W/4ohm vs. 2x50W (8 or 4ohm) for the all-tube EVO 300. It's necessarily gutsier under dynamic conditions too, with 123W, 217W, 340W and 360W into 8, 4, 2 and 1ohm loads at <1% THD [see Graph 1, below] vs. 69W, 69W, 80W and 64W at <2% THD for the EVO 300.

Distortion is not 'solid-state' low in the EVO with a minimum of 0.03%/1kHz increasing to 0.08%/20kHz and 0.16% at a bass frequency of 20Hz [all at 10W/8ohm – blue trace, Graph 2]. Nevertheless while the harmonic complement is similar, the EVO 300 with its EL34s is higher still at 0.17-2.9% (20Hz-20kHz) in ultralinear mode. The EVO 300's moderate 2.9-3.7ohm output impedance (via 8 and 4ohm taps) also has a far greater impact on system frequency response than the Hybrid's 0.053-0.15ohm. In practice then, the Hybrid's +0.0/–0.4dB response will be a far more reliable indicator of its tonal balance than the +0.2dB/–0.35dB (all re. 20Hz-20kHz) measured for the EVO 300 into a non-reactive 8ohm load. Not only does the Hybrid have an advantage in bass control but also, for example, if the HF impedance of your chosen speaker dips then the EVO 300 will sound less bright and/or potentially less well informed. PM