News

Are “audiophile” speaker wires and interconnects snake oil?

Imported from the Zendesk Help Center (created 2021-11-17). Sophisticated speaker wire and interconnect cables are not snake oil, in fact material differences in the composition of the wire, insulation, connectors and assembly techniques can make a big difference in the sound.   Case in point, there is a 10cm bundle of twelve signal carrying wires…

Why does Primare not publish specifications like damping factor?

Imported from the Zendesk Help Center (created 2021-04-12). We tend to publish limited specifications, and do not publish damping factor (DF) specifications of any kind as they are highly dependent upon test conditions (speaker and cable impedance, as well as frequency and duration of the test) and as a result, like so many specifications, are…

Why does Primare provide generic power cables?

Imported from the Zendesk Help Center (created 2021-11-17). This is a good question and may serve to illustrate the practical design approach we take at Primare: · In the design of our products we make no decision based on marketing, as we have all too often found that expensive brand names do not necessarily deliver…

What is the recommended high-level subwoofer connection scheme with Primare amplifiers?

Imported from the Zendesk Help Center (created 2021-11-17). A number of industry leading subwoofer manufacturers recommend using high-level, or speaker-level, connection in order to derive the best performance from their product and the speaker system being supported. There are many valid reasons for this, most simply expressed by the thought that the subwoofer is being…

How do I connect a headphone amp?

Imported from the Zendesk Help Center (created 2022-09-15).   In most cases, and if not a Prisma model, simply connect the headphone amp to the LINE outputs of the integrated amp or preamp. LINE connection means that the output is fixed and that volume will be controlled with the headphone amps volume control, while first…

Do you have recommendations for IR extenders?

Imported from the Zendesk Help Center (created 2025-11-30). Primare IR Extender Instructions We have tested the König IR-EGGS3 powered IR extender for effective use with Primare products, noting that similar powered IR extenders we have not tested may also work effectively. Equipment König IR-EGGS3 powered IR extender 1 x 3.5mm mono female socket to 2.5mm…

Why only three feet?

Imported from the Zendesk Help Center (created 2025-07-30). Why three instead of four feet is simply a matter of the trade-off between occasional inconvenience and long-term audio performance—and can serve to illustrate Primare’s Practical Design approach, which is inspired by the Swedish concept of lagom (“laah-goam”), meaning “just the right amount.” Not too much. Not…

What are the differences between the original NP5 Prisma and the NP5 Prisma MK2 versions?

Imported from the Zendesk Help Center (created 2021-11-17). The NP5 Prisma MK2 network player is the latest evolution of Primare’s popular NP5 Prisma, a clever little device that provides complete Prisma network player control and connectivity technology to virtually any system with a digital input.   The development of the new model was necessitated primarily…

How can I confirm that the ethernet cable input is being used for better audio quality?

Imported from the Zendesk Help Center (created 2021-04-12). Even though WIFI will be used to connect your mobile device to the network, ethernet connection for any Prisma device takes precedence over WIFI, so if you connect the ethernet cable wired connection takes place. To confirm this, the centre network LED on the NP5 will be…

Do Primare amplifiers need external power conditioner?

Imported from the Zendesk Help Center (created 2021-11-18). Need is maybe the wrong word. We believe that every system will benefit from optimal setup and operating conditions. For example, our amps will sound best when the partnering speakers are set up to perform at their best in the given acoustic environment. Similarly, the better the…

Are digital outputs fixed or are they variable, allowing for volume control?

Imported from the Zendesk Help Center (created 2021-11-18). Only NP5 has variable volume on digital output. All other models are 0dBFS (as it should be 😉  ​Note: due to Google requirements, volume control had to be added to NP5 Prisma digital outputs, since those are the only outputs.   

Why does Primare not use aptx or aptxHD Bluetooth?

Imported from the Zendesk Help Center (created 2021-11-18). Given the sound quality limitations of BT connectivity, we anticipate that it will be used for only the most casual listening experiences, and given the ease of connection and performance potential of the other connection systems offered on the Prisma platform, AirPlay, Spotify Connect, and, in particular,…