I25 DAC DM36 – modular integrated amplifier and digital to analog converter

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.

ON-MAG, France, December 2019
I25 DAC: A hifi amplifier, both very efficient, audiophile, and does everything!

“The Primare I25 is also very dynamic. It is muscular, capable of powering large and difficult speakers. But it is also the perfect “tough guy with a tender heart”, able to strike the blows on a piece of vindictive Rap, and then shoot you a little tear of emotion, a few moments later, on an emotional Pop or Country ballad.”

Hi-Fi Voice, Czech Republic, July 2019
I25: Primare I25

“The sound is clear, it is solid and dynamic, it has a bit of an analytical tendency and, above all, it does not impose any particular character on the whole. But it is not a tense technical performance, it remains impartial and close to the theoretical audiophile ideal. A big bonus is the possibility to expand its capabilities with a solid D/A converter module and/or the Prisma module, which will provide the comfort of the world of streaming and modern control. Overall, the Primare I25 is a frequency-balanced and tonal-neutral amplifier, well processed and very orderly – at least on paper, it is very close to the theoretical hi-fi ideal.”

High Fidelity, Poland, July 2019
I25: I25 Test

“It turns out that the Primare I25 is a very versatile device that will fit most systems, will show off most discs in a nice way. Playing with a large, full sound in which the midrange is most important, but not because the frequency extremes are limited – absolutely not, as I would even say that the bass is slightly pronounced and the treble has a lot of energy – but we have such an impression because everything is sweet and pleasant.”

Fair Audio, Germany, June 2019
I25: Primarily Versatile

“Even though Primare’s I25 Integrated amplifier’s cleanliness, deep-bass strength, and control can be considered to be prime virtues, it is first and foremost an all-rounder without any real weaknesses or anything that draws attention… The Swede, at all times, with its effortless homogenous musicality, unconditional control and balanced, slightly sonorous tonality, avoids sounding hard or flat. This makes the I25 suitable as an inspiring sounding companion for the long term – even in combination with more demanding loudspeakers.”