Recommended Component, Class A, 2024 – Stereophile
'Statement' Two-Channel Amp with Stereo and Bridged Mono Modes
The Primare A35.2 is a powerful balanced-input stereo amplifier that utilizes the company's proprietary UFPD 2 amplification technology. It will deliver 200 watt of power per channel in stereo and 800 watts of power in bridged mono mode. Both RCA and balanced XLR outputs are included.
For the A35.2, Primare designed a completely new UFPD 2 power module to provide the power and performance necessary for such a statement stereo amplifier. As a result, a completely new power supply with custom wound transformers has been engineered to deliver the immense electrical power needed for the amplifier module to produce an immense amount of musical power.
"Recommended Component" Honors
Stereophile honored the A35.2 by awarding it the magazine's coveted Class A Recommend Component status for 2024.
According to Stereophile, “HR found that with his Magnepan .7 speakers, the A35.2 sounded very similar to the slightly more expensive Bel Canto Ref600M class-D monoblocks. He wrote that the A35.2 ‘gripped the Magnepans' diaphragms with greater control and force than either the class-A Pass Labs XA25 ($4900) or the $3495 all-tube, class-AB Rogue Stereo 100 (in Ultralinear mode). This control delivered a tauter, more rhythmic bass.’”
“With Harbeth M30.2 speakers, HR found that the Primare's high frequencies were ‘crisp and super-clear–but not luxuriant and engaging.’ On the test bench, the Primare exceeded its specified powers, clipping at 225Wpc into 8 ohms and at 460Wpc into 4 ohms.”
High Power Output with Very Low Distortion
With the essential UFPD 2 circuitry in place, the A35.2 is capable of providing immediate and sustained high power output with very low distortion, instantaneous rise time and absolutely linear amplification across the entire bandwidth. This results in a naturally fast, clean, and agile sound over an ultra-wide frequency range and with exceptional headroom.
The A35.2 features balanced inputs and 200 watts of output power into 8 ohms, with the ability to be bridged to mono for 800 watts of output into 8 ohms. With this level of truly massive power output, the A35.2 is capable of driving even the most demanding stereo speakers, or for an awesomely powerful multi-channel system array.
Sleek Scandinavian Design
Every aspect of Primare products – the way they look, the satisfying feel of the controls – contributes to the overall experience. As a result, Primare products exude the hallmarks of Scandinavian design, featuring a simple, elegant look with approachable and easy-to-understand functionality.
An example of this is the standby button discretely placed within the Primare logo on the faceplate of the R15, R35 and A35.2 models – or as they say in Swedish, lagom, meaning 'not too much not too little, everything in balance, proportion, and harmony.'
Modular Design and System Building
Primare's philosophy is to offer modularity whenever possible in order to have just the right features – both now and for the future. Modular design is featured in the I25 and I35 integrated amplifiers, as well as the PRE35 preamplifier, all of which can be updated with DAC and Prisma modules, as well as the CD35 CD player that can have the Prisma module added, either at the time of purchase or at a later date. As a result, the company is able to offer a carefully considered array of models and configurations in order to allow for device selection that best fits any system need.
The A35.2 is the obvious partner for the PRE35 in its various configurations. While not modular itself, the A35.2 allows for a number of configuration options to fit system needs, either as a single stereo amplifier or as a pair of amplifiers for use in bi-amping or in bridged mono mode for 800 watts of pure power per channel.