The I35 Prisma is a streaming integrated amplifier by Primare that delivers 150 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 300 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms. It was released in 2018. It is a 2-channel design using a Class D output stage. It has a built-in DAC, so you can play digital sources directly with no separate DAC unit needed. The Primare I35 Prisma has an MSRP of $5,795.
Primare I35 Prisma Amplifier Internal View
There are 7 Primare amplifiers in our database. Below you can see the main specs of these amps.
Primare Integrated Amplifier Series
Performance Specs
One of the most important factors when deciding on an integrated amplifier is its power ratings and compatibility with your speaker's impedance requirements. The Primare I35 Prisma is rated at 150 watts RMS into 8-ohms. Primare provides this wattage at a THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) of 0.01% which is an important indicator of distortion at the given values (lower THD is better).
Here are the main highlights of its performance specs:
- 150 watts into 8-ohms (20 Hz-20 kHz) at 0.01%
- 300 watts into 4-ohms
- 100dB Signal to Noise Ratio
How loud will 150 watts actually play in your room? →
Which speakers suit the Primare I35 Prisma?
150 W into 8 ohms, 300 W into 4.
We rank every passive speaker we cover against it on power, impedance safety and current
delivery.
Need more power?
Primare I35 Prisma is rated at 150 watts into 8 ohms, which puts it in our 121 to 180 watts band. The next band up is Over 180 watts, which is worth about 2.3dB more output. That is a real difference in headroom on peaks, and a modest one in how loud the system plays - power and loudness are not the same thing.
Before buying watts, check what your speakers actually need: the amp and speaker matcher works it out from their sensitivity, impedance and your room. Plenty of systems are better served by the 91 to 120 watts band and better speakers.
When pairing the Primare I35 Prisma with a passive Bookshelf (Stand mount) or Passive Floor Standing (Tower) speaker, you have to check if their Max Power Range is below the max wattage of the amp for the given impedance levels.
Operating your amp outside of this max range may damage the speakers.
What size of room is the Primare I35 Prisma Amplifier good for?
An essential deciding factor is the size of the room in which you intend to employ the Primare I35 Prisma amplifier. Here, taking into account its maximum power parameters, we analyzed its applicability to various size environments:
| Listening Environment |
Suitability |
| Near-field | Are you nuts? |
| Small Room | Bad |
| Mid-size Room | Poor |
| Large Room | Good |
| Very Large Room | Good |
Inputs and Outputs
Besides the performance specs of the Primare I35 Prisma, the next important feature set that you have to evaluate is the input and output selections that it offers.
Primare I35 Prisma has total of 5 Analog inputs .
Primare I35 Prisma Back View (Click the image for the larger version)
Inputs
- Total Number of Analog Inputs: 5
- 4 Optical Digital Input
- 2 Coaxial Digital Input
- USB Input:
- USB-A (connect to a USB Mass Storage Class)
- USB-B (connect to your computer for playback)
Outputs
- Speaker Outputs
- Stereo RCA Preamp Outputs
Bluetooth Connectivity
Primare I35 Prisma features built-in Bluetooth for wireless music streaming from your Bluetooth-enabled devices such as Apple iPod/iPhone/iPad, Android smartphone/tablet, Windows PC, Mac computers/laptops.
Among the amps in the same price range, these are the 5 amps that have Bluetooth Connectivity:
Phono Input
Primare I35 Prisma doesn't have a phono input so in order to play your vinyl albums, Primare I35 Prisma has to be paired with a Phono Preamp that is MM (Moving Magnet) or/and MC (Moving COil) depending on your cartridge type.
Subwoofer Output
Primare I35 Prisma has Stereo RCA preamp outputs which can be used to connect to a powered subwoofer via an RCA cable ( as long as your sub supports this connection).
Check our
Powered Subwoofers page to find a subwoofer that will work with Primare I35 Prisma amp and your speakers.
Balanced connections
Primare I35 Prisma has a balanced XLR input. A balanced cable carries the signal twice, on two conductors of opposite polarity. Interference picked up along the way lands on both equally and cancels when the two are recombined at the far end, so the longer the cable run and the noisier the surroundings, the more the connection is worth. Whether a balanced connection also yields more power depends on how the amplifier is built inside - some are balanced end to end, others convert to single-ended internally and deliver the same power either way, so it is worth reading the maker's own wording rather than assuming.
DAC and Digital Music
The Primare I35 Prisma's built-in DAC allows the connection of digital sources directly, eliminating the need for an external DAC.
Primare I35 Prisma Handheld Remote
Primare I35 Prisma Pros and Cons
Drawn from the published figures on this page, not from listening.
- ✓Power nearly doubles into a harder load, 150 watts into 8 ohms rising to 300 into 4, which points to a power supply with real current in reserve.
- ✓150 watts per channel into 8 ohms is more than most rooms and most speakers will ever ask for.
- ✓Class D output stage, so it runs cool and wastes little power as heat - which is how it fits in a small case.
- ✓Signal-to-noise ratio of 100dB, so the amplifier itself should be inaudible between tracks.
- ✓Distortion is specified at 0.01%, an order of magnitude below what is generally held to be audible.
- ✓5 analogue inputs, enough for a full rack of sources.
- ✓Built-in DAC handling 32-bit / 768 and DSD, so a TV, computer or streamer can connect digitally with nothing in between.
- ✓Digital inputs cover 4 optical, 2 coaxial and USB.
- ✓Streams over the network without a separate streamer: AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in and Roon.
- ✓Bluetooth for playing straight from a phone.
- ✓Pre-outs (Stereo RCA) leave room to add a power amplifier or an active subwoofer later.
- ✓Balanced XLR inputs, worth having on a long cable run.
- ✓App control (Prisma).
- ✓Detachable mains lead (IEC 3-prong).
- Nothing the published specs count against it.
Primare I35 Prisma External Dimensions and Weight
Primare I35 Prisma has external dimensions of (H x W x D) 4-3/16inch x 17inch x 17-15/16inch (107.0mm x 432.0mm x 456.0mm ). The unit weighs
11 kg (24.2 lbs).
Base Surface Area
Base surface area of an integrated amplifier may become an important decision factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base area of the Primare I35 Prisma is approximately 1969.9cm2 / 305.3inch2.
- Width: 432.0mm (17")
- Height: 107.0mm (4-3/16")
- Depth: 456.0mm (17-15/16")
- Weight: 11 kg (24.2 lbs)
- Base Surface Area: ~1969.9cm2 / 305.3inch2
- Volume: ~21.1 liter / 5.6 gallon
Available colors
Primare I35 Prisma is available in Black and Titanium color options.
What's in the Box of Primare I35 Prisma?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of I35 Prisma:
- Integrated amplifier
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Remote control (C25)
- 2 AAA batteries
- 2 Bluetooth/WiFi antennas
- Two 59-inch Mono-minijack cables
- AC polarity pen
- Thank You Letter
- Safety And Warning Notification
Official Product Page
Official manufacturer's product page for the Primare I35 Prisma Integrated Amplifier can be found below:
Official Product Page for Primare I35 Prisma
Warranty
3 Years of parts warranty and 3 Years of labor warranty is generally provided for the Primare I35 Prisma by the manufacturer.
| General |
| Brand |
Primare |
| Full Model Name |
Primare I35 Prisma |
| Release Date |
2018 |
| Amplifier Type |
Integrated Amplifier |
| Number of Channels |
2 |
| Amp Class |
Class D |
| Amplifier Technology |
Solid State |
| Performance |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 8-ohms |
150 watts |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 6-ohms |
N/A |
| Watts RMS per Channel into 4-ohms |
300 watts |
| Frequency Bandwidth |
20 Hz-20 kHz |
| THD |
0.01% |
| Minimum Impedance |
|
| Signal to Noise Ratio |
100 dB |
| Digital Music |
| Built-in DAC |
Yes |
| Bluetooth |
Yes |
| WiFi |
802.11ac |
| Ecosystem |
| Apple AirPlay |
Yes |
| Apple AirPlay2 |
Yes |
| DTS Play-Fi |
No |
| Chromecast built-in |
Yes |
| Roon |
Ready |
| HEOS |
No |
| BluOS |
No |
| CONNECTIONS |
| Total Analog Inputs |
5 |
| Phono Input |
No |
| Optical Digital Inputs |
4 |
| Coaxial Digital Inputs |
2 |
| USB Input |
Yes |
| USB Type |
USB-A (connect to a USB Mass Storage Class),USB-B (connect to your computer for playback) |
| Preamp Outputs |
Stereo RCA |
| Pre-out / Main-in Loop |
No |
| Headphone Output |
No |
| Removable Power Cord |
IEC 3-prong |
| PHYSICAL SPECS |
| Height |
107.0mm (4-3/16") |
| Width |
432.0mm (17") |
| Depth |
456.0mm (17-15/16") |
| Weight |
11 kg (24.2 lbs) |
| Available Colors |
Black,Titanium |
| OTHER |
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |