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Amplifier comparison :
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Over the last few years we've had an increasing amount of enquiries regarding
suitable amplification to be used with our loudspeakers since the closure of our last amplifier supplier, ME Sound.
We were very fortunate to have already been involved with the distributor of a very
fine product in Cambridge Audio, which led to the current high end product we now use, Primare.
Primare manufacture an absolutely stunning product which surpasses the previous product in several significant areas.
These are (in order of importance) -
Dynamics/transient response
Bass slam/detail
Noise levels
Build quality
Reliability
Functionality
Support
Styling
I have put together a list of logical steps for ME owners to upgrade to Primare (I
have also included some Cambridge Audio models) -
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Pre-Amplifiers
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Upgrade 1
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Upgrade 2
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Upgrade 3
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ME14/15/24/25
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CA840E
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Primare PRE30
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NA
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Integrated Amplifiers
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Upgrade 1
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Upgrade 2
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Upgrade 3
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ME240
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CA740A
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Primare I21 - I22
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Primare I30 - I32
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Power Amplifiers
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Upgrade 1
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Upgrade 2
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Upgrade 3
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ME200
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CA740A
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Primare I21 - I22
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Primare I30 - I32
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ME550
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CA840A
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Primare I30 - I32
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Primare A30.2
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ME550II
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CA840A
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Primare I30 - I32
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Primare A30.2
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ME555
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Primare A30.3
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NA
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NA
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ME750
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CA840W
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Primare A30.2
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Primare A33.2
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ME850
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Primare A30.2
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Primare A33.2
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Primare A32
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ME1400/1500
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Primare A32
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NA
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NA
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In all of the above cases, the Primare upgrade will offer improved performance for
similar or less cost than the ME's cost when new. The sound of the amplification is very
similar, except for slightly superior dynamics, bass detail and slam, and lower noise levels from the Primare.
The Cambridge amplification offer very similar performance, with perhaps slightly
less transparency, however this is only noticeable under certain source material.
In some areas, particularly power output and dynamics, the Cambridge products
outperform the ME.
The build quality of Primare equipment is utterly superb and second to none. It is significantly superior
to ME. Cambridge is very good, and slightly ahead of ME.
Primare has impeccable reliability, as opposed to ME's average reliability.
Cambridge is once again, slightly ahead of ME.
The functionality of the Primare is a little better than ME, with more options with
regards to connections and types of inputs methods.
The Cambridge is almost the equal of the Primare, so again, a little better than ME.
Support of both the Primare and Cambridge is identical in Australia, excellent.
ME's support was good many years ago, however this became very poor later.
Styling is of course a personal thing, however the Primare range is drop dead
gorgeous. Stunning facias, beautiful controls, just oozing class. The Cambridge has improved with it's latest range, though still not up to par with next to Primre, but it is very nice indeed. The ME's earlier models were
'militarian' and rather aggressively attractive, however later models became garish and cheap looking with tacky looking gold 'frills'.
In conclusion, the Primare range is not just a worthy contender to ME, it is a
substantial upgrade to an already fine hi-fi product.
Primare is one of the great bargains of the hi-fi world.
Ratings out of 10 for the performance characteristics for the above brands. (1 being worst, 10 being best).
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Brand
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Primare
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Cambridge
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ME
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Sound
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10
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8
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8
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Build
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10
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8
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6
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Reliability
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10
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8
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6
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Funcionality
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10
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9
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8
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Support
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10
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10
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9/3**
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Styling
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10
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8
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5
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Total
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60/60
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51/60
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42-36/60**
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As can be seen, Primare is a clear cut winner in this class of equipment.
** Support for ME was very good in the earlier years, but dwindled later.
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