Prima Luna Evo 100 V2 Tube Phono Preamp - W/ Telefunken MC Tubes

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General:
The PrimaLuna EVO 100 Phono V2 is one of the most impressive tube phono preamps we’ve had here at SkyFi.

This outboard phono stage offers just about everything you could want in a serious analog front end. It supports both MM and MC cartridges, features two selectable capacitance settings for the MM section, and provides easily adjustable gain and loading for MC cartridges. The design is fully tube-based(including rectification), delivering the warmth and detail that people enjoy about vacuum tube audio gear. 

PrimaLuna even went a step further by designing and manufacturing their own high-quality internal transformer, adding to the attention to detail that went into this unit.

On the bench, we were genuinely impressed with the overall build quality, chassis construction, and component selection. The unit utilizes point-to-point wiring where it matters most (in the phono , combined with a high-quality PCB layout for consistency and reliability.

What sets this particular EVO 100 Phono V2 apart is that we’ve installed a strong pair of vintage Telefunken 12AX7 tubes in the MC gain stage. They’re exceptionally quiet and sound excellent in this circuit.
The unit includes its original box, manual, and power cord.

From Prima Luna:
An external phonostage that is PrimaLuna with a massive power transformer, 5AR4 tube rectification, and with 12AX7 gain for MM, and 6922 gain for MC
It's here at last, a standalone PrimaLuna phonostage built to the same extreme level of engineering as every other PrimaLuna, and every bit as thoughtful and intuitive. The goal with the EVO 100 phonostage was to keep controls and features as simple as possible.
The EVO 100 Phonostage supports both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges. The MM stage offers two capacitance settings, and 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.

ALL PRIMALUNA, INSIDE AND OUT
At 27.9 lb, you know the EVO 100 Phonostage is all PrimaLuna in its use of a massive custom power transformer, with full protection. The heavy gauge steel chassis sports PrimaLuna's deep, glassy five-coat paint, with each coat hand-rubbed and polished.
Inside, all of the high-quality parts are joined using point-to-point wiring. The parts list is familiar to any PrimaLuna fan: ceramic tube sockets, Nichicon and DuRoch capacitors, and gold-plated connectors.

ALL-TUBE GLORY
As you'd expect from PrimaLuna, the EVO 100 Phonostage is tube rectified using  two 5AR4 tubes. Two EL34 stabilize the power supply, and four 12AX7 form the gain stage for the MM setting. Gain for MC is from two 6922 tubes. 
This makes the EVO 100 Phonostage the perfect match for PrimaLuna gear, bringing all-tube magic into every part of the signal. Or, pair this with a revealing solid-state system and enjoy huge levels of detail without a shred of harshness.

SkyFi Cosmetic Notes:
The unit looks just about new with only some extremely small hairline scratches in the finish. Excellent condition overall.

SkyFi Technical Notes:
This version of the EVO 100 has an internal switch for swapping between 12.6V and 6.3V filament tubes for V9 and V10 in the MC gain stage. The unit is currently configured for 12.6V tubes and has a pair of strong vintage Telefunken rib plate 12AX7 loaded into the MC section which offers improved noise performance over the original tubes.

Ownership:
Single Owner

Connections:
RCA, IEC Power Connection, Ground lug

General Sound:
Smooth, uncolored, undistorted natural and clean

Working Condition:
Working perfectly and tested in our lab and listening room.

Included:
Unit, Box, Manual

Packing:
Original Manufacturers Packing

Original MSRP:
$4,495.00

Specs:
- Cartridge Support: Moving Magnet (MM) & Moving Coil (MC).
- Tube Complement: 4 x 12AX7, 2 x 6922, 2 x EL34, 2 x 5AR4.
- MM Gain: 40 dB.
- MM Input Capacitance: 47 pF / 100 pF (Switchable).
- MC Gain (Selectable):
- Using 6922: 52, 56, 60 dB.
- Using 12AX7: 54, 58, 62 dB.
- MC Input Impedance (Selectable): 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 Ω.
- Output Impedance: 100 Ohm.

Dimensions:
11" x 7.5" x 15.9"

Weight:
27.9 lbs.

Link to Manual:
Click Here

Recommended Cables:
Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Better

Kimber Kable - RCA Interconnects - Best

Kimber Kable - Phono Interconnects

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Better

Kimber Kable - Power Cords - Best

Testing Process:
We start with a visual inspection of all internal components to make sure that there are no signs of heat stress or damage. Capacitors are checked for telltale signs of predictive failure including bulging, shrunken wrappers, or physical leakage. We also inspect the PCBs for discoloration from resistors or transistors that may have been running hot. On vintage units we often spot check select capacitors for value and ESR.

When we first power on a preamplifier we connect its RCA output to a Sencore PA81 Power Analyzer which simulates real world loading conditions and gives us an oscilloscope interface.

The first order of business is checking that the volume control works smoothly throughout its entire range with acceptable channel balance. This is accomplished by feeding a 1 KHz sine wave into one of the preamp’s line level inputs while monitoring the preamp’s output on an oscilloscope.

We then switch to a 1 KHz square wave to test the tone controls, loudness function, and filters where applicable. During this step we are watching for equal alteration of the test signal by both channels. This also helps us identify dirty controls that will need treatment.

Once the basic line stage functions are verified, we test each input individually. This is especially important for devices that use relays to select their sources. If the preamp is equipped with a phono stage we test that as well. We use an inverse RIAA filter which allows us to feed a reference test signal into the phono input with the proper RIAA equalization and level. A square wave or sine sweep is used to verify that the device’s phono stage is faithfully reproducing the RIAA curve. If the preamp under test has balanced inputs and/or outputs these are tested as well.

We finish up our bench testing with a listening test with our bench amplifier and reference speakers. During this test we check for hum or hiss that may not have shown up in earlier testing. We also check that all of the tone controls and filters perform as expected.

If the preamplifier has remote control functions these are also tested. Preamps with tube circuits or complicated power supply topologies are connected at our long term test rig for extended stress testing under real world conditions.