PrimaLuna EVO 100 Tube Power Amplifier

PrimaLuna EVO 100 Tube Power Amplifier – 40 W stereo or 82 W mono with Adaptive AutoBias

A pure power amplifier without unnecessary complexity

The PrimaLuna EVO 100 Tube Power Amplifier is the most accessible power amplifier in the EvoLution series — a pure push-pull valve power amplifier with no preamplifier stage or volume control. Since a stereo/mono switch is built in, it delivers 2× 40 W in stereo mode or 82 W as a monoblock, with THD in mono mode consequently dropping to <0.17% at 1W. As a result, it suits equally well as a stereo power amplifier or as a monoblock in a bi-amping or dual-mono configuration. Furthermore, all fundamental PrimaLuna quality features are present — Adaptive AutoBias, point-to-point wiring and Bad Tube Indicator.

Stereo and mono in a single chassis

The stereo/mono switch makes the EVO 100 Tube Power Amplifier exceptionally versatile. In stereo mode, two channels are driven independently via the stereo RCA input. Switching to mono consequently deploys the full amplification capacity of all four EL34 valves for a single channel — output therefore rises to 82 W and distortion drops further. Since speaker taps cover 2, 4, 8 and 16 ohms, the EVO 100 is moreover compatible with virtually any loudspeaker. Tube rolling is straightforward thanks to Adaptive AutoBias and the high/low bias switch.

Pair with a PrimaLuna preamplifier

The EVO 100 Tube Power Amplifier is designed for use with an external preamplifier — above all an ideal partner for the PrimaLuna EVO 100 or EVO 200 Tube Preamplifier. Since each component has its own separate power supply, signal purity is thereby maximised and interaction between stages is eliminated. The 100 kΩ input impedance is furthermore compatible with virtually any preamplifier or DAC with a variable output.

EvoLution quality in the most compact form

The EVO 100 Tube Power Amplifier shares all fundamental PrimaLuna quality features with the more expensive models in the power amplifier range — Adaptive AutoBias, point-to-point wiring, Bad Tube Indicator and DuRoch polypropylene capacitors. Since the transformers are identical to those in the EVO 100 Tube Integrated, performance is consequently consistent across both models. At 405×280×190 mm and just 17 kg, it moreover fits easily into virtually any listening room.

Specifications

• Type: valve power amplifier, push-pull, ultra-linear, switchable stereo/mono
• Output power stereo: 2× 40 W UL (EL34)
• Output power mono: 1× 82 W UL (EL34)
• Valves: 4× EL34, 2× 12AX7, 2× 12AU7
• Valve compatibility: EL34, KT88, 6L6G, KT66, KT77, KT90, KT120
• Input: 1× stereo RCA + 1× mono RCA
• Outputs: 2, 4, 8 & 16 ohm speaker taps
• Stereo/mono switch: yes
• Adaptive AutoBias: yes
• Point-to-point wiring: yes
• Bad Tube Indicator: yes
• DuRoch polypropylene capacitors: yes
• Remote control: none
• Frequency response: 10 Hz–95 kHz, ±3 dB
• THD stereo: <0.2% @ 1W
• THD mono: <0.17% @ 1W
• SNR: 92 dB stereo / 93 dB mono
• Dimensions: 405×280×190 mm
• Weight: 17 kg

Frequently asked questions about the PrimaLuna EVO 100 Tube Power Amplifier

How does the EVO 100 power amplifier compare to the higher models?

The EVO 200, 300 and 400 power amplifiers add progressively more: the EVO 200 offers KT150 compatibility and heavier transformers, the EVO 300 furthermore adds Swiss Made wiring, Takman resistors, AC Offset Killer and triode/ultra-linear switching via remote, and the EVO 400 uses eight output valves with even heavier transformers. The EVO 100 is consequently the most accessible entry point into the PrimaLuna power amplifier range.

Can two EVO 100 power amplifiers be used as monoblocks?

Yes — since each EVO 100 has a built-in stereo/mono switch, two units can be configured as monoblocks, each delivering 82 W per channel. This is therefore a cost-effective route to high power with valve quality, and an ideal basis for a dual-mono system.

Which valves are compatible and how easy is tube rolling?

Compatible types include EL34, KT88, 6L6G, KT66, KT77, KT90 and KT120. Since Adaptive AutoBias and the high/low bias switch handle all adjustments automatically, tube rolling requires no test equipment or technical knowledge. The KT150 is not compatible with the EVO 100.