Description
PrimaLuna EVO 300 Hybrid Integrated Amplifier – Floyd Design
The PrimaLuna EVO 300 Hybrid Integrated Amplifier combines the natural musical character of valve preamplification with the power, control and dynamics of modern solid-state amplification.
Developed by PrimaLuna in collaboration with Floyd Design, this premium integrated stereo amplifier features six 12AU7 valves in its preamplifier section and a powerful MOSFET output stage.
The result is an amplifier designed to combine the tonal richness, detail and spacious soundstage associated with valves with the substantial driving capability and bass control of solid-state amplification.
With more than 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms and more than 150 watts per channel into 4 ohms, the EVO 300 Hybrid is an exceptional choice for demanding high-performance stereo loudspeakers.
Valve Preamplification Meets Solid-State Power
At the heart of the EVO 300 Hybrid is a carefully engineered valve preamplifier using six premium 12AU7 valves.
This valve stage is combined with a high-current MOSFET power amplifier developed by Floyd Design.
The hybrid architecture provides a distinctive combination of musical refinement, dynamic performance and loudspeaker control.
Powerful MOSFET Amplification
The EVO 300 Hybrid delivers:
- More than 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms, typically 115 watts
- More than 150 watts per channel into 4 ohms, typically 170 watts
- High-current solid-state output stage
- Excellent control over demanding loudspeaker loads
- Substantial dynamic headroom for complex musical recordings
This makes the amplifier particularly suitable for premium floorstanding loudspeakers and systems requiring greater power than traditional lower-output valve amplifiers.
Premium 12AU7 Valve Preamplifier
Six 12AU7 valves provide the EVO 300 Hybrid’s preamplification.
The valve section is designed to preserve musical detail, natural instrumental textures and an expansive stereo presentation.
PrimaLuna supplies carefully selected valves as standard.
Floyd Design MOSFET Technology
Floyd Design contributes the solid-state power amplification technology.
The MOSFET output stage is engineered to deliver high power, low distortion and excellent loudspeaker control while working alongside PrimaLuna’s valve preamplifier circuitry.
Wide Frequency Response
With a frequency response extending from 10Hz to 80kHz within ±3dB, the EVO 300 Hybrid is designed for wide-bandwidth audio reproduction.
Its low-distortion circuitry supports detailed, controlled playback across a broad range of musical styles.
Flexible Analogue Connectivity
Five stereo RCA inputs accommodate a wide range of compatible analogue audio sources, including:
- Network music streamers
- External digital-to-analogue converters
- CD players
- Turntables with suitable phono preamplifiers
- Other high-quality analogue music sources
A dedicated home theatre bypass input provides additional flexibility for combined stereo and home cinema systems.
Home Theatre Integration
The dedicated home theatre input allows the EVO 300 Hybrid to be integrated with a compatible AV receiver or surround processor.
This enables a premium two-channel music system to share front loudspeakers with a home cinema installation.
Subwoofer Connectivity
Stereo/mono subwoofer outputs allow connection to compatible active subwoofers.
This provides additional flexibility for systems requiring extended low-frequency reproduction.
Dedicated Headphone Listening
A headphone output allows private listening with compatible headphones.
Premium Construction
The EVO 300 Hybrid features substantial power supply components, carefully selected internal circuitry and a heavy-duty ventilated chassis.
Its premium construction is designed to provide long-term reliability and outstanding audio performance.
Available in black or silver, subject to supplier availability.
Key Features
- Premium hybrid integrated stereo amplifier
- PrimaLuna valve preamplifier
- Floyd Design MOSFET power amplifier
- Six 12AU7 valves
- More than 100W per channel into 8Ω
- More than 150W per channel into 4Ω
- Typical output of 115W per channel into 8Ω
- Typical output of 170W per channel into 4Ω
- Wide-bandwidth amplifier design
- Five stereo RCA inputs
- Dedicated home theatre bypass input
- Tape output
- Stereo/mono subwoofer outputs
- Headphone output
- Premium internal components
- Heavy-duty ventilated chassis
- Remote control
- Black or silver finish options
Complete Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | PrimaLuna |
| Model | EVO 300 Hybrid Integrated |
| Design collaboration | Floyd Design |
| Product type | Hybrid integrated stereo amplifier |
| Preamplifier technology | Valve |
| Power amplifier technology | Solid-state MOSFET |
| Valve complement | 6 × 12AU7 |
| Output power into 8Ω | More than 100W per channel |
| Typical output into 8Ω | 115W per channel |
| Output power into 4Ω | More than 150W per channel |
| Typical output into 4Ω | 170W per channel |
| Frequency response | 10Hz–80kHz ±3dB |
| Total harmonic distortion | Less than 0.2% at 100W into 8Ω |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 105dB, A-weighted |
| Input impedance | 34kΩ |
| Input sensitivity | 415mV |
| Total gain | 37.2dB |
| Preamplifier gain | 7dB |
| Power amplifier gain | 30.2dB |
| Damping factor | 160 at 1kHz |
| Analogue inputs | 5 × stereo RCA pairs |
| Home theatre input | 1 × stereo RCA pair |
| Analogue outputs | Tape output |
| Subwoofer outputs | Stereo/mono |
| Headphone output | Included |
| Loudspeaker outputs | Stereo loudspeaker terminals |
| Power consumption, no signal | 99W |
| Power consumption at specified 4Ω output | 645W |
| Remote control | Included |
| Finish options | Black or silver |
Dimensions, Weight & Installation Requirements
| Measurement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Width | 385 mm |
| Height | 205 mm |
| Depth | 405 mm |
| Overall dimensions (W × H × D) | 385 × 205 × 405 mm |
| Net weight | 31 kg |
| Shipping weight | 35 kg |
| Shipping dimensions (W × H × D) | 468 × 316 × 578 mm |
Installation Considerations
The PrimaLuna EVO 300 Hybrid is a substantial amplifier weighing approximately 31kg.
It should be installed on a strong, stable equipment shelf with sufficient ventilation.
Both the valve preamplifier and MOSFET power amplifier generate heat during operation, so the amplifier should not be installed inside a tightly enclosed cabinet.
Appropriate loudspeaker matching, ventilation and equipment positioning are recommended to achieve the best possible performance.
Recommended Applications
The EVO 300 Hybrid is particularly suitable for:
- High-performance two-channel stereo systems
- Premium floorstanding loudspeakers
- Dedicated hi-fi listening rooms
- Audiophile vinyl playback systems
- High-resolution network music streaming
- CD and external DAC-based music systems
- Demanding loudspeakers requiring substantial power
- Combined stereo and home cinema installations
Expert PrimaLuna Advice at Riverside HiFi
At Riverside HiFi, we specialise in premium hi-fi, valve and hybrid amplification, high-performance loudspeakers and complete music system design.
Our services include:
- Amplifier and loudspeaker matching
- Premium stereo system design
- Valve and hybrid amplifier demonstrations
- Turntable and phono stage integration
- Network streamer and DAC selection
- Home cinema and smart home integration
- Professional installation and system optimisation
Whether you’re upgrading an existing stereo system or building a dedicated listening room, Riverside HiFi can help you select the ideal equipment to complement the PrimaLuna EVO 300 Hybrid.
Riverside HiFi – Hi-Fi | Home Cinema | Smart Home | Professional Installation
Awards:
| Specifications | Model EVO 300 Hybrid Integrated Amplifier |
| Power 8 Ohm | >100 Watts per channel (typical 115 Watts) |
| Power 4 Ohm | >150 Watts per channel (typical 170 Watts) |
| Frequency Response | 10 Hz – 80 kHz +/- 3 dB |
| THD | < 0.2% 100W @ 8 Ohm |
| S/N Ratio | -105dB (A-Weighted) |
| Input Impedance | 34 kOhm |
| Input Sensitivity | 415 mV |
| Total Gain | 37.2 dB (7dB + 30.2dB) |
| Power Consumption | 99 Watts (no signal in); 645W@4R |
| Weight | Net weight: 55.1 lbs / 25 kg Shipping Weight: 63.9 lbs / 29 kg |
| Dimensions | 15.9″ x 15.2″ x 8.1″ / 405 x 385 x 205 mm (L x W x H) |
| Shipping dimensions | 22.7″ x 18.4″ x 12.4″ / 578 x 468 x 316 mm (L x W x H) |
| Inputs | 5 pairs Stereo RCA, 1 pair Home Theater Input |
| Outputs | 4 & 8 Ohm Speaker Taps, Tape, Stereo/Mono Sub, Headphone |
| Tube Complement | 6 x 12AU7 |
| Damping Coefficient | 160 (1 kHz) |
Since 2003 PrimaLuna has been building pure valve amplifiers with a clear mission: delivering high-performance valve-based audio components at affordable prices, resolving the reliability issues that had often dissuaded people from investing in the sonic beauty of valves. Our current, much-acclaimed EvoLution range spans 12 valve amplifiers – integrated amps, preamps and power amps across four price tiers – as well as a valve-based DAC.
Now in 2021, a new amplifier joins the range – and for the first time in PrimaLuna’s history, it’s not a valve amp! Or at least, it’s not entirely a valve amp. The PrimaLuna EVO 300 Hybrid Integrated Amplifier results from a collaboration between PrimaLuna and Floyd Design – the solid-state design arm of Durob Audio, PrimaLuna’s parent company. PrimaLuna has designed the valve-based preamp stage. Floyd Design has created the solid-state power stage. The two have worked together to mould a hybrid amp of such synergistic quality, it really does deliver the best of both worlds.
Combining valve and solid-state amplification in a single chassis to capture their inherent qualities – the effusive fluidity of valves, the power and grip of solid-state – is something audio electronics designers have attempted for decades, to varying degrees of success. The difficulty is in engineering these two different technological forms with their contrasting characteristics to meld to create a seamless sonic whole that genuinely delivers the best of both. Too often, hybrid amps turn out to be less than the sum of their parts – a mismatch, both technically and sonically.
In a hybrid system, the solid-state components may be considered the invaders. Thus, it is essential to choose solid-state components that behave similarly to a tube. MOSFETs, used in the power stages, share similar characteristics to valves, and Jan de Groot, the head of Floyd Design, has created amps with MOSFETs for 26 years.
We combined one of our most successful PrimaLuna pre-stages with a quality MOSFET poweramplifier already designed by our Floyd Design department, matched it for the best sound quality possible and mounted it in one chassis! Et voilà! It’s not like most other HYBRID Integrated Amplifiers on the market. You can SEE that, and you can HEAR that. And we didn’t want to be like the other hybrids in the market. We just wanted to produce the BEST HYBRID possible, and we knew it would become a more expensive unit. After the final fine-tuning and listening tests, we can easily accept and justify that!
Here, the respective expertise of PrimaLuna and Floyd Design, empowered by their close working relationship under common ownership, has enabled the creation of a hybrid amplifier that works in perfect concert from input to output. The result of this fusion of valve and solid-state excellence is an amp that delivers a tremendous dynamic range, deep and broad stereo imaging, smoothly expressive mid and high frequencies, taught and tuneful bass, and fast, punchy control.
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Next to what you already know as “standard” for all PrimaLuna products, we highlight the following for this new PrimaLuna “Kid on the Block”:
- A perfect coupling of valve and solid-state amplification.
- The preamp stage uses six hand-selected 12AU7 valves (2 x input, 4 x driver) – not a vague nod to valves in the signal path, like most other hybrid amps, but a properly engineered valve stage.
- The dual-mono solid-state power section incorporates paired JFETs from Linear Systems and specially manufactured MOSFETs, delivering (over) 2 x 100W into 8 ohms.
- Hardwiring is used extensively throughout the circuit design. Where PCBs are required, these are of the highest quality – 2.4mm thick with 105um gold-plated copper tracks.
- The valve preamp stage includes two power supplies with separate transformers; the solid-state power stage uses a dedicated 500VA transformer.
- All power supplies benefit from PrimaLuna’s ‘AC Offset Killer’ circuit, ensuring that DC on the mains never causes the transformers to hum.
- It incorporates circuit components of the highest quality, sourced from all over the world from manufacturers such as Takman, DuRoch, Nichicon, Alps, Linear Systems, Rubycon and Kemet.
- The amp comes with six inputs (5x line-level RCA, 1x home cinema bypass). Tape out and Sub out (Mono and Stereo). A fully shielded sub-chassis for the optional PhonoLogue phono stage attaches to the underside of the amp.
Some of you may have thought, “PrimaLuna, what are you doing now?” We understand that reaction, which is why we have done what we can to make this project as successful as possible. Are tube enthusiasts now switching en masse to the hybrid amplifier? We don’t think so. We believe people who have always played with solid-state equipment and have always been curious about tube equipment, but for some reason never took the step, may now take action towards tube equipment. Perhaps an intermediate step? MOSFETS are the solid-state version of the tube…
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Please click HERE to get in touch with your distributor or nearest dealer for more information about our PrimaLuna EVO 300 Hybrid Integrated Amplifier
“To create such an impeccably integrated unit from the tube input to the transistor output is very difficult. Still, the developers of the EVO 300 Hybrid, in my opinion, have been one hundred per cent successful!”
