Price Paid:  $1500.00 from KJ West One, London

Summary:
Prior to buying this amplifier, I used a Naim Nait 3R for about five years. I was beginning to find that the Naim, whilst a very good amplifier in it's own right, did not exert sufficient grip over my Sonus Faber Concerto's.

So, I decided to try other amplifiers. The amplifiers I auditioned were: Naim NAC112/NAP150 pre/power, Unison Research SR1 (hybrid) and the Primare A30.1.

I found the Unison Research too dark and warm and also not very natural compared to the other two amplifiers. The Naim Pre/Power combination was good. It's timing and musicality were excellent, with a good tonal balance all round.

But, the Primare A30.1 was the star of the audition. My dealer let me take it home and keep it for about two weeks before I decided to purchase. It is dual mono, weighs around 15 kg and is very well finished. It also has one set of balanced inputs. It sounds much more natural compared to the amplifiers mentioned above with more than enough control and grip. The tonal balance is excellent with a particularly well defined (but not disproportionate) midband. I mainly listen to jazz (Stan Getz, Diana Krall etc) and this amplifier complements my Sonus Faber Concerto's and Copland CD player very well. The only complaint I have is regarding the quality of the remote control handset supplied with the unit. It is made of plastic and looks cheap (probably because it is).

Strengths:
Excellent tonal balance, very natural sound, plenty of power, robust build quality

Weaknesses:
Remote control handset supplied is cheap

Similar Products Used:
Unison Research SR1, Naim 112/150 pre/power, Naim Nait 3R

Price Paid:  $1300.00 from Used

Summary:
One of the best int. amp at this price range..a lot of power , superior in balance, imaging dynamic and soundstage. Can drive most of the speaker with ease.
equipment used.
Sony DVP 9000ES
Dynaudio contour 1.8 MK II
Van den hul The first ultimate
Van den hul The wind MK II

Strengths:
Neutrality, dynamic and balance..good look

Weaknesses:
Not much at the price...

Similar Products Used:
Krell KAV 300i, Musical fidelity A3, Classe 150

Price Paid:  $1540.00 from Prague

Summary:
I bought this amp after very long auditioning of various brands, but all throughout this process kept somehow returning to this one. The funny thing is you can´t say what´s so good about the sound it generates. Likewise you can´t point at any weak spots, it just does its job and that with full control over the signal, no matter what sort of music or dynamics. Everything seems to be easy, natural and true.

It sports very good detail, hooking up various cables or CD players makes you aware of their different qualities or tonal features. In that this amp is absolutely amazing.

The size is very convenient, it seems to be small but it´s really heavy and excellently built dual mono without any compromise. It sports two pairs of XLR connectors and allows you to revert the phase, which, at this price level, is rarely to be seen.

Summing it all up, at this price range and even amps costing you twice as much, it´s difficult to find an integrated that would beat this one. Strongly recommended.

Strengths:
excellent neutrality, no color of its own, power, deep bass, good midrange, dual mono, seemingly absolute control

Weaknesses:
so far none, being overcritical, perhaps less dynamic

Similar Products Used:
Copland CS 28, Classe CAP 101

Summary:
Overpriced and very non-impressive sound. It doesn't have anything to boast about with the exception of neutrality(sounds like it to me). The Roksan Caspian killed it in every single area. Unless you like the look, this is one product to avoid.

Strengths:
Neutrality

Weaknesses:
Constrained, flat, and uninvolving

Similar Products Used:
Roksan Caspian, Bryston B-60, Sim Audio I-5080, Krell KAV300-i

Summary:
I auditioned the Primare 301 today, with the Primare D30 CD as a source and listening to the Triangle Zephyr speakers. I had listened to a few tube amps(full and hybrid) prior to the Primare, and I wasn't really happy with the tube sound. I tend to listen to very highly produced work, so the tube sound is not as pleaseant for me. I seem to prefer the tighter bass from a solid state amp. (I must admist, I haven't heard that many tube amps yet, but I've not liked any of them yet.)
Anyway, the Primare had a very tight sound, and seem to perform very complex material (full audio spectrum) without disappointing me. I'm not sure that I'll buy it yet, but It's definitely in the running.