Интегральные усилители — PrimaLuna EVO 200

The EVO 200 sits second in the line of EVO valve integrateds from PrimaLuna, the brand of DUROB BV in the Netherlands, and is supplied as the EVO 200-1 for EL34 or KT88 output tubes. Paired figures in its specification refer first to EL34 and then to KT88. It is assembled by hand in a heavy-gauge, fully vented steel chassis finished in five coats, each rubbed and polished by hand.

Key specs that matter

Each channel delivers 44 or 45 W in ultra-linear operation. PrimaLuna quotes a response of 10 Hz to 65 kHz within 1 dB and 9 Hz to 95 kHz within 3 dB. THD with Adaptive Auto Bias stays under 0.2 percent at 1 W and under 2 percent at full rated output. The S/N ratio is 86 or 87 dB, rising to 95 or 96 dB A-weighted. Input impedance is 100 kOhm, sensitivity for rated power at full volume is 275 or 285 mV, and maximum gain is 35 or 35.2 dB. Damping coefficient is 4 at 1 kHz. Power draw is 280 or 290 W. The case measures 405 x 365 x 205 mm and weighs 24 kg. Connections are four pairs of stereo RCA inputs, one pair of home theater inputs, 4 and 8 ohm speaker taps, a tape output and a headphone socket. The standard tube complement is four EL34 and four 12AU7.

Engineering and use context

Every internal link is soldered point to point in silver wire from Switzerland. The Adaptive Auto Bias circuit sets tube bias continuously, so no manual adjustment is needed, and a high and low bias switch supports rolling between EL34 and KT88. Custom toroidal and EI-frame transformers are fully encapsulated for low hum and good isolation. Protection includes the SoftStart circuit for sensitive components, a relay safeguard for the output stage and a Power Transformer Protection circuit with an internal thermal switch. Headphones are driven by the entire main circuit and all of its tubes rather than by a separate chip amplifier. Component choices include motorised ALPS volume controls, Nichicon and DuRoch polypropylene and tinfoil capacitors, superfast Philips rectifier diodes and heavy-duty gold-plated WBT-style speaker terminals.

Pairing

The home theater input lets the EVO 200 serve as the stereo front channel amplifier for an AV processor, while the two output taps suit speakers of either nominal rating. An optional moving magnet PhonoLogue board fits into a fully shielded phono box for vinyl playback. A slim remote handles volume.

Alternatives

Above it, the PrimaLuna EVO 300 integrated uses four EL34 and six 12AU7 tubes, adds a triode mode with 24 to 30.5 W per channel and weighs 31 kg.