PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium Preamplifier.


A few months ago, bought  TWO of the above mentioned preamps. ( I have 2 stereo systems)
Within 6 weeks of the purchase, the power supply of my speakers burns out!
I purchase and replace the power supply.
Three days later, the second newly replaced power supply is burnt out!
After much investigative work and heartache, I discover that the Pre amp is the problem.
It is defective and puts out DC. which burns out speakers.
After, testing the second unit, I find that it is defective as well, EXACTLY the same problem.
I return the units to my dealer, who returns them to Prima Lune.

I received a phone call from a Mr. Kevin Deal, big cheese at PrimaLuna.
Told me that the capacitors, on BOTH units had failed and the units were putting out DC.
He  even THANKED me, for being a guinea pig, and discovering the flaw in his units.

He offered me a pair of tubes, as "compensation" for my troubles!!  What a joker!!

WOW, a pair of tubes for blowing my $30,000. speakers!!

The height of arrogance and total disregard for the consumer of his product.
To all audiophiles, do yourself a favour, STAY AWAY for this brand, unless you want  your speakers cooked.

TOTAL lack of quality control, MADE IN CHINA junk, what more needs to be said.


Mr. Deal,  WAKE UP, and STOP selling defective products!!


If, you are using PrimaLuna, and your speakers fail, check the amp or pre amp.

George


Montreal, Quebec,  Canada.
thorloki
I can't believe that you wouldn't hear gross distortion WAY before your speakers "power supply" would burn out. Sounds fishy...
That's correct.
Depending on the amount of DC, it can damage your speakers instantly, or, slowly, over days or weeks.

You will not necessarily hear it, as distortion through the speakers.
If that's true, and PL has admitted it's their fault, they should pay to fix your speakers (IMO).
Primaluna  has been a brand often discussed on this  forum over a number of years. Based on comments posted  during this time it seems that the vast majority of owners are happy and rarely complain of reliability issues. Thorloki I wonder if your unfortunate  situation represents  an outlier result. 
Charles 
Hey Charles,

thanks for your input.
Your theory is a possibility, however, I highly doubt it.
First of all, I had bought TWO PrimaLuna pre amps of the same model,
since I have two stereo systems.
They BOTH exhibited the exact same problem.
This tells me, that this in NOT a just a problem with a single unit, but a 
generalized, systemic problem.
Also, this issue is very hard to detect, you would not think that your preamp is the cause of your speakers blowing up.
I am sure, other audiophiles have had their speakers fail and would blame it on the speaker.

My case, is very unique, in that I have two stereo systems, each running the exact same pre amp.

In the first case, the pre amp blew my speakers power supply TWICE!
I never would have suspected the pre amp, I thought it was the speakers.

It is only by a miracle of chance that I discovered the pre amps were at fault.

Early one morning, BEFORE the speakers had a chance to play, I reached at the bottom of the speakers, to adjust the toe in.
I was shocked to discover, that the left speaker was stone cold (as it should be) and the right speaker was BOILING hot!

The pre amp, as it turns out, was putting out DC on a continuous basis,
weather there was music playing, or not.
Had I not discovered this, I would have blown a second pair of speakers.

This is NOT an issue, of weather the pre amps are defective or not,
PrimaLuna has already admitted that they are defective and that they have a problem.

My issue, is PrimaLuna's response to me.
Thanking me, for bringing the issue to their attention,  and offering me
A PAIR OF TUBES, does NOT cut it!

PrimaLuna, should pay me, for the repair of my speakers, my aggravation, and six hours of my time, taking speakers apart and replacing power supplies, TWICE!!

By the way, just for the record, we are talking about speakers that are worth $30,000. each pair, over $60,000. worth of speakers!

Shame on PrimaLuna, for not taking responsibility.



Not trying to make this my "cause" but if you bought the speakers new, from an authorized dealer who can certify that you never had problems before (with the speakers) you have a strong case. BTW, when you say "speaker power supply" what part are you talking about?
ThorlokI,
Reading your detailed account of your experience, I  am in agreement with you in regard to Primaluna'-s  level of responsibility. 
Charles