The Sound
Contents
We don’t really need to cover the test setup, since this is a complete system. If you want to read how the A35.8 performs in another system, you can read about it in the complete review of the Primare A35.8. In that review, you will also find measurements.
Stereo
As mentioned, we tested this system in stereo mode, along with the Perlisten R5t floorstanders. The combination appears to work very well, as we are presented with a particularly complete and pleasant presentation, regardless of the music we choose. Impressive for a system actually intended for surround.
However, we are also used to this from Primare: it has always been a brand that knows how to perform exceptionally well in stereo with surround products. Both the DVD players and receivers as well as power amplifiers and integrated models perform well in both surround and stereo.
Now we do need to mention that it is important to set the SP25 in “stereo”. If we leave the audio mode set to “Auto,” it does go into stereo mode, but then a DSP is also switched on. That gives a fuzzier stereo image than in “PCM bypass”. Then the presentation is nevertheless sharper and we hear a better delineated stereo image than in “Auto”.
Music!
Playing music is excellent through this Primare / Perlisten system. We streamed through both a Metrum Baby Ambre (coaxial to the SP25) and Primare’s own Prisma streamer (via Ethernet).
The overall presentation comes across as particularly neutral. It’s very finely balanced all around. There are no areas that feel turned on or intrusive. The bass is round, fast and powerful enough, and the mids and treble feel pleasantly smooth and balanced. It’s not an analytical machine with loads of detail but there is more than enough detail to get a good understanding of the music. A fine balance!
Now, it is important to realize that on the cinema side it is always a bit more calm due to the absorption, but even with that in mind, this system is particularly pleasantly balanced and we can see well “into” the music.
The stereo image depends mainly on what mode you put the Primare SP25 in. And of course whether you use Dirac room correction. Something we usually recommend in surround mode, but not in stereo mode. The stereo image was substantially different in AUTO mode than in pure Stereo mode (PCM bypass), for example. This is because the SP25 keeps a dsp in the signal path in AUTO. While that gave a slightly larger stereo image; it was also a bit softer and thus less delineated. We prefer PCM bypass; it just feels cleaner.
Prism or external streamer
Interestingly, streaming via the Metrum Baby Ambre and Prisma streamer does produce slightly different results. The internal streamer does seem a bit more precise and tighter. In the comparison, we mainly use Tidal and Qobuz via the Chromecast connection. Chromecast audio can stream up to 24 bit / 192 kHz, so that’s not a limitation. We find the native apps just a bit more convenient to use than working through the Prism app. Although that works fine too, of course.
Now streaming through the Metrum Baby Ambre works really good. Coaxially into the Primare SP25 sounds fine. Streaming via the Prisma streamer is – as mentioned – just a bit tighter. Focus, timing, rhythm … it all feels just a bit more correct. Not a world of difference, but enough to choose the internal Prisma streamer in this case.
Does this mean that an external streamer or streaming bridge is never a better option? Certainly not… However, we do think that it would then be wise to choose a streamer (i.e. with dac). After all: dac technology also advances. And a luxury streamer with a nice dac will perform better than the internal dacs of the Primare SP25.
