Primare I25 Prisma DM36 Streaming Integrated Amplifier

The I25 with everything already fitted

The Primare I25 Prisma DM36 is the modular I25 supplied with both boards installed: the DM36 converter built around an ESS ES9068A, and the SM35 Prisma network module. The amplifier section is identical to the base I25 at 100W into 8Ω and 200W into 4Ω, so what you are buying is the digital half of the system pre-fitted and set up. Seven digital inputs and full network streaming make it a complete front end.

Why You'll Love It

• An ESS converter, not a token one. The DM36 board uses an ES9068A handling PCM to 384kHz and 32-bit, DSD256 and MQA, with selectable upsampling.
• Roon Ready and everything else. The Prisma platform brings Roon Ready certification, Chromecast built-in, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect and Bluetooth, with multi-room across other Prisma products.
• Inputs for the whole rack. Four optical, two coaxial and two USB inputs sit alongside five analogue pairs, so nothing gets left out of the system.

Under the Hood

• UFPD 2 Class D amplification at 2 x 100W into 8Ω and 2 x 200W into 4Ω, with signal to noise better than 100dB to AES17.
• DM36 module with ESS ES9068A conversion, accepting up to 768kHz and 32-bit over USB-B and up to 192kHz and 24-bit on the optical and coaxial inputs.
• SM35 Prisma module providing Ethernet and Wi-Fi streaming with Roon Ready, Chromecast built-in, AirPlay 2, Bluetooth and Spotify Connect.

CHT Insider Verdict

Buying it this way is the sensible route if you want the full specification, because the two modules bought separately and fitted later cost more than the difference between this and the base I25. The amplifier is unchanged, so if you already own a converter and streamer you rate, the plain I25 saves real money. Note the network inputs cap at 192kHz where USB goes far higher, which is normal and rarely limiting.

Pro Tip: If you are running Roon, point it at this over Ethernet and let Roon handle the upsampling rather than the DM36's own filter. Doing the same job twice in two places is the usual cause of a system sounding oddly processed.

Specifications