Primare I15 Integrated Amplifier

Swedish engineering, no wasted space

The Primare I15 is an all analogue integrated amplifier delivering 60W into 8Ω from a chassis only 350mm wide. There is no DAC and no network section, which is the point: the whole budget goes into the amplifier and the power supply. Five line level inputs cover a system built around separate sources, and the MM15 moving magnet board can be fitted later if a turntable joins the system.

Why You'll Love It

• Power without the footprint. 60W into 8Ω doubling to 100W into 4Ω from a 350mm wide, 6.5kg chassis, which suits a shelf or a desk rather than a full width rack.
• Analogue, deliberately. No converter and no streaming board means no digital circuitry sharing the chassis with the analogue stages, and nothing to become obsolete when streaming standards move on.
• Room to add a turntable. The MM15 moving magnet phono board is a factory option that can be added at any time, so vinyl does not have to be part of the decision today.

Under the Hood

• Class D power module delivering 2 x 60W into 8Ω and 2 x 100W into 4Ω, with THD plus noise below 0.02% from 20Hz to 20kHz at 10W into 8Ω.
• Five stereo RCA line inputs at 15kΩ input impedance, with signal to noise better than 97dB and frequency response 20Hz to 20kHz at -0.7dB.
• RCA line output and RCA preamplifier output, both at 150Ω, plus IR input and output, RS232 and a 12V trigger for system integration.

CHT Insider Verdict

This is a purist's small amplifier, and the absence of a DAC is a feature rather than an omission if you already own a streamer or CD player you like. Sixty watts is honest rather than generous, so pair it with reasonably sensitive speakers and it will not run out of headroom in a normal room. If you know vinyl is coming, look at the I15 MM instead and save the retrofit.

Pro Tip: Primare builds these to be stacked with matching 15 series components, and the chassis is designed for it. If you are adding the DD15 or CD15 later, leave the shelf space now rather than discovering the stack does not fit the cabinet.