A35.2 – power amplifier

The Speaker Shack, UK, September 2023
A35.2: Primare A35.2 Power Amplifier Review

Stereophile, USA, April 2023
A35.2 – Stereophile Recommended Component

“Class A (solid state) – This hefty Danish amplifier uses what Primare calls their “proprietary UFPD2 analogue class-D amplification technology” to deliver 200Wpc into 8 ohms. According to the manufacturer, UFPD2 integrates the class-D output stage and the necessary low-pass filter, “making control with feedback much more immediate and accurate.” 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.”

Stereophile, US, April, 2022
Primare A35.2: Stereophile Class A Recommended Component

This hefty Swedish amplifier uses what Primare calls their “proprietary UFPD2 analogue class-D amplification technology” to deliver 200Wpc into 8 ohms. According to the manufacturer, UFPD2 integrates the class-D output stage and the necessary low-pass filter, “making control with feedback much more immediate and accurate.” 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. 

HiFi+, UK, October 2021
HiFi+ Innovation Award 2021

Primare have received an Innovation award from HiFi+ with the following citation:

“First founded in 1985 by industrial designer Bo Christensen, Primare’s is perhaps one of the most recognisably Scandinavian brands in audio. Its combination of minimalism and good performance all point to a Swedish brand.

So, when Primare uses a Swedish word to describe its ethos, perhaps we shouldn’t be too surprised. That word is ‘Lagom’ (pronounced ‘laah-goam’) and roughly translates to ‘just the right amount.’ In Primare’s world this means keeping everything in balance, harmony and proportion, and that the music – rather than the technology or the box in which it comes – should be the focus of audio.

Audioreview, Italy, December 2020
PRE35 Prisma & A35.2: Scandinavian Class D, Will it sound “cold”? Maybe not…

There is a remarkable attention to detail and an unexpected sweetness. Wasn’t it just tubes that had such grace? Those who miss the old series of Primare’s AB class amps will finally be able to be convinced of the technical-commercial choices made beyond the Baltic. The warmth in the mid-range is absolutely not trivial. Voices are balanced, open and crisp, perfectly focused on stage. There is no sibilant out of place and at the same time the detail on the cymbals or any other instrument appears millimetric. A clue that confirms the naturalness effect is not achieved through some sweetening.

HiFi News, UK, December 2019
PRE35 Prisma + A35.2: Primare PRE35/A35.2

“Primare’s sophisticated PRE35/A35.2 combination is a class act. Especially in its priciest Prisma guise, it offers plentiful facilities coupled with slick ease-of-use and an enjoyably powerful sound. Furthermore, while optimised as a pair, both pre and power amp remain very competitive in their own right, the PRE35 as a go-to hub for comprehensive digital systems while the A35.2 is an all-round high-value powerhouse.”

FWD, Benelux, Yearbook 2020
PRE35 + A35.2: Ultimate Price/Quality Ratio

“But the real knockout follows at the end this time and that is the unbelievably competitive price. I don’t know how they did it. But this PRE35 pre and A35.2 stereo power amplifier definitely belongs to the select group of best products of their kind that you can buy in this price range! For those who are not that traditional and have more to spend, there is ultimately also the more expensive PRISMA version with all possible DAC and network functionalities. Wow!”

Audio Review, Italy, December 2020
PRE35 Prisma + A35.2: Primare PRE35 Prisma and A35.2

“There is a remarkable attention to detail and an unexpected sweetness. Wasn’t it just tubes that had such grace? Those who regret the old Primare AB series will finally be able to convince themselves of the technical-commercial choices made beyond the Baltic.”

StereoLife, Poland, December 2020
Primare PRE35 Prisma + A35.2

AV High End, Poland, May 2020
PRE35 Prisma and A35.2: Strong and Polished

“Both the PRE35 preamplifier and the A35.2 power amplifier deserve high marks in relation to the quality of their reasonable prices… The power amplifier is fast, detailed, offers high-quality transparency and very good insight into recordings, without the drawbacks or restrictions associated with class D… The additional advantage of both devices is excellent aesthetics and quality of workmanship.”

On Off, Spain, February 2020
A35.2: Primare A35.2 Stereo Amplifier

“UFPD 2 brings subtle but noticeable improvements to its predecessor, the first of which is a new output circuitry developed to keep gain constant throughout the entire audio frequency range. The result is absolutely linear amplification, with a lower noise level and an improved tonal balance that provides absolutely “black” backgrounds for music, making the music more holographic in character; in short, greater naturalness.”

Vumetre, France, February 2020
PRE35 Prisma + A35.2: PRE35 PRISMA + A35.2

“Musical, full of life and with disconcerting ease in the most delicate situations, this set seduced us …”

Stereophile, USA, April 2020
A35.2: Primare A35.2 power amplifier

“My time spent with the Primare A35.2 amplifier reminded me that there still is no such thing as a perfect, one-size-fits-all amplifier. Some amps are stronger or more engaging than others. Some deliver exciting force, while others deliver subtle, enduring charms. Some, like the Primare A35.2, have high-toned manners, can dance the latest dance, and sometimes even order fine wine. Which reminds me: I never actually drank that Chateau Margaux. But I swear to you, the Primare amplifier looked expensive and sounded ooh la la! with the unopened bottle sitting next to it.”

Stereoplay, Germany, May 2020
PRE35 Prisma + A35.2: Volcano in Two Stages (English)

“This pre/power tandem conjures up lust and passion, no matter how classically-refined its appearance may be. We were thrilled… We would like to go easy on our proofs of love. But we have really fallen for these two Swedes. As a mix of control centre and powerhouse we don’t know a better tandem in this price category.”

Read the German version here.

Stereoplay, Germany, May 2020
PRE35 Prisma + A35.2: Vulkan in zwei Stufen (German)

“Diese Vor/End-Kombi erzaubert Lust und Leidenschaft, so klassisch-fein sie auch aussehen mag. Wir waren begeistert… Wir wollen sparsamer mit unseren Liebesbezeugungen umgehen. Aber diese beiden Schweden haben es uns ange- tan. Als Mix aus Zentrale und Kraftbereiter kennen wir in die- ser Preisregion kein besseres Duo.”

Read the English version here