Can too much technology be a bad thing? We put the case for the Primare SPA21, an AV amp that’s opted out of the fast lane.
Primare SPA21| $5000 | 
For: Build quality; solid sound for stereo and multichannel alike
Against: Limited connectivity; first generation audio codecs only; no auto setup
Verdict: Good simple home cinema without sacrificing performance
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At one time it looked as though we might be spared from the tyranny of excessive complication by the introduction of HDMI-like single-wire interfaces for audio and video. But right now we’re stuck in what looks like an indefinite transition, wherein we have to put up with old and new interfaces side by side just to ensure that the hardware will fulfill all reasonable requirements – and because the new high-tech interfaces don’t always perform in practice as well as they appear on paper. To our minds, complication is almost invariably the sworn enemy of quality. It seems like it’s one of the reasons why stereo systems so often outperform multichannel systems.
The Primare SPA21 bucks the complexity trend by being purposefully simple, or as simple as is reasonably possible and still pass as a modern, well equipped amplifier. The intention is flagged by the thick, high-quality aluminium front panel, whose clean lines are barely disturbed by the complement of two rotary controls, and a handful of selectors. It is almost a dead ringer for Primare’s own stereo amplifiers, except that it is a little taller, deeper and (of course) considerably heavier. The back panel is much more fully equipped, but overall the SPA21 remains remarkably straightforward, almost stripped down by contemporary home cinema standards.
Has Primare thrown the baby out with the bath water? The SPA21 has five power amplifiers, driven from two torroidal transformers which are said to be powerful enough to sustain 100 Watts/channel with all channels driven. Extra channels (eg surround back) are available using the line outputs, supplemented by a bass/LFE redirect, with the additional option of duplicating bass information on the main speakers and the subwoofer for real bass freaks. Outputs are available at line level for up to 8 channels, and there is a similar number of inputs for when a 7.1-channel analogue source is available.
The SPA21 offers a DTS ES (6.1-channel) mode, though not Dolby Pro Logic IIx. Anything above 5.1 channels will require an additional matching stereo power amplifier, which you can buy from the Primare range. There’s also a 7.1-channel Pure analogue input for DVD-A and Super Audio CD sources, such as might be delivered by Primare’s own DVD30 universal disc player.
Each input can be set up with sensible defaults, for example a standard surround sound mode such as Dolby Pro Logic II for TV sources. Unused
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In other respects, arguably where it counts most, the SPA21 is rather well equipped. The ability to programme each input with a preferred sound-processing algorithm is one such, so is the basic architecture of the amplifier, which includes custom in-house programming of the surround codecs onboard the Crystal CS493200 DSP. This claims to deliver better analogue processing (up to 24 bit 192kHz using PCM1738 DACs) than the off-the-shelf programs used in some rival hardware. A compartmentalized display and display driver section, a standard Primare feature to reduce mutual interference, and an unusually elaborate power supply section in which special care is take to isolate circuit areas, are key to the SPA21’s audio design.
Performance
The SPA21 may not win any prizes for equipment levels, but the resulting simplification undoubtedly explains its unusually fine audio performance. This is an amp of real refinement and definition, but above all it has a solid, meaty presence, a full-on presentation that is more akin to the standards expected of a good-quality stereo amplifier.
Image steering is explicit and capable of sustaining an immersive soundfield with well recorded film soundtracks – the opening set-piece scene from Kill Bill Vol. 1 is a good example – though it rarely sounds quite as smooth or as progressive as the best. Overriding this, however, is the solidity of the sound, its presence and the feeling of control that it imparts. The bass is immensely well controlled and stable, while the treble is clean, if slightly taciturn and restrained. But the overall effect is homogeneous, layered and subtle as well as packing a solid punch.
It is this style of presentation that makes the Primare a particularly good choice for a crossover audio/home cinema system, for someone who already has a quality stereo system and wishes to make the transition to multichannel without trading sound quality as part of the bargain. When it comes to grunt, the Primare is somewhat restrained. In our independent lab tests, we measured 125W with all five channels driven – which is actually better than Primare’s own 100W rating.
Conclusion
For those looking to both simplify the home cinema proposition without sacrificing performance, this SPA21 is prime contender. Perhaps, it’s nearest counterparts are similar products from Naim and Lexicon; both share the Primare’s core strengths along with a relatively-limited feature set, but the Primare scores extra for its attractive pricing and high-quality packaging.
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