Like its award-winning predecessor, the A30.1, the I30 integrated amplifier has been created to
Like its award-winning predecessor, the A30.1, the I30 integrated amplifier has been created to answer emphatically two design challenges: purity in signal transfer and clean distortion-free amplification. For the I30, Primare has re-evaluated the A30.1, changing components where necessary to improve a class-leading design.
Summary: I bought my Primare I30 in February 2008 as part of a new system that replaced my faithful but aging (and much cheaper) Linn Classik. I auditioned the I30 using the speakers I owned at the time, a pair of Aerial Acoustics 5B monitors. I always enjoyed the Aerials but thought them somewhat laid back. I was amazed by the difference the Primare I30 made - the speakers opened up so dramatically that - to borrow a cliche - the instruments and vocalists suddenly moved right into the room with me. Part of the difference is the Primare's higher power output - 100 watts per channel vs about 33 for the Linn. The rest of the difference seems to arise from a lower noise floor and amuch higher damping factor. The Primare I30 augmented the Aerial 5Bs' smoothness and detail with a degree of power, authority and control I had never heard before. The I30 offers smooth, extended highs, a beautifully detailed, musical and natural midrange and extremely musical and extended treble with superb transient response. It is also beautifully designed, solidly constructed and a pleasure to use. I auditioned it with a wide range of music (baroque and classical to jazz vocals and soft rock - just about everything except heavy metal and rap) and it sounded wonderful with all of it. Not cheap but an excellent value. I had to dig deep to pay for it but have no regrets.
Strengths: Lots of power, excellent performance throughout the frequency range (deep, controlled bass, natural and musical midrange, extended highs, plenty of "air"; beuatiful design and first-class workmanship
Weaknesses: Expensive (at least by my standards). Very heavy - don't plan on moving it around much and watch out for your back when you do.
Similar Products Used: None - I owned various receivers and a Lin Classik before this. However, I auditioned various Arcam amplifiers, the Unison Unico, a couple of Pathos hybrid amps, Rega Mira, Rega Brio, Naim Nait 5i, Bryston B60 and several others.
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Summary: The component that have stayed with me, and I have build my system on is the Primare universal player DVD30. I have tried a lot of ampelifiers, and speakes with that player, and must say that it all worked well.
After lots of testing and reading, I had to try Primare I30. And guess what it's what I been looking for.
Of cause theese two componentes match perfect, in it's own way. You can say that what you get when you select player, and amp from the same manufacturer is kind of what is their home sound.
That said, of cause you can find your own match with different manufacturers, but it makes the job a little more difficult.
Primare I30 is a amp.. that might not impress at first listen, but this beast realy grows on you. Its like primare dont make any hocus pocus with their products. Expept for the top end, that is a little on the warm side. It's so many hi-fi companys that try to impress in some way, but nutralness is the one that will last!!
Before this amp I had a tube amp from copland. And yes it's things with that amp that I miss, but on the whole I30 is a much more complete listen.
To say something about the sound, I would put the distrotion free sound first.
This is what I call transparency. This amp is dead quiet. It plays so clean, it's a joy to hear. This amp is also a champion to produce a perfect center, and a very deep soundstage. I heard amps produce bigger sound, but this is kind of mather of taste. The bass is very good, and powerfull. You can find amps to the price that can better the bass performance a little, but not much. The middle range is very smoth, just like velvet. Voices is so natural that it's hard to do it better. Treble is also very good. But as said before its a little warm in the high freq..This can make it a little harder to heard the difference in the highest guitar strings (b and e string). Guitar string sounds very thick, with lots of attack. This is also a matter of taste. This makes this amp..very enjoyable to listen to. That is the reason most recordings sound so nice.
If you like the sound of this amp. If will pay a lot to better it.
It's not for everyone. But I think you will make a mistake not to listen to it, if you are in for something in this pricerange.
My setup is source: Primare DVD30, Amp: Primare I30, Speakers: Proac recponce D25, Sub..REL stadium III
Strengths: Pure balanced circiut. Dual mono construction.
Very clean sounding.
Powerfull.
Very nice build.
Forgiving on most recordings.
Weaknesses: Its no weakness. If you like the sound, and match your speakers, it's hard ot better it.
Similar Products Used: Primare I21, Takt SDAI2175, Xindak XA6950, AVI, Coda, Denon, Sony, NAD, Yamaha, Copland and many more ;)
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Summary: I have had the I30 for approx 2 weeks now. Wow! what a sound ! The I30 replaces a low end Marantz 50 w integrated-No competition obviously, but it now sounds like all my CD's have been converted to SACD format! The clarity is stunning, the sound stage positively HUGE and Deep and the amp has a rock solid grip on the Bass. I did audition a Musical Fidelity A5 Amp and was left feeling UNDERwhelmed by the sound it produced. The Primare was the clear winner by a mile. The only thing which has taken a while to get used to,is that nothing much happens sonically below 40-45 on the volume display (0-79),but crank it up to 50, and a huge smile just appears on my face as I am swallowed by a sound so stunning, it makes me want to give up my job, just so I can listen 24/7!!!
Source: Denon 2910 DVD player
Speakers : VAF DC7 Floorstanders
Strengths: Beautiful appearance, and design-understated elegance
Incredible Clarity, sound staging, separation, and bass presentation
Weaknesses: Cheap remote control, although this is'nt a real issue as I happily paid the asking price for the sound, not the look of the RC
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Summary: This is a brief info on my experience with I30:
Vocal is very sweet
instrument separation is very good
details are excellent
Transparency and control of low end note very well.
Was comparing with my Krell KSA 80B and Sonic frontiers SFL-1. Krell has more bass slam, that's it. The rest goes to I30.
Strengths: as above
Similar Products Used: Krell KSA 80B & SFL-1
McCormack DNA 0.5 & 1
John Shearne Phase 2 ref
TD124MKii / SME 3012 / DL103r
Dynaudio 50MKII
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