Ironically, I think that the RCA's sound better on my Prima than do the XLR's. They are tighter, slightly more focused. The XLR's sound a bit vague to my ear. Always worth a try either way.
Thanks, Phil. |
Cytocycle,
Your descriptions of the various players were exactly as I have noted as well. Thank you greatly for all of the excellent advice.
With the PS Audio 300, does the Multiwave II come with the optional fan & Tubewave, or are we talking about two separate $800 units (the 300 + the fan)?
Thank you again. This is a big help.
Best regards,
Howard |
Warren, my Prima man!
How the heck are you?
Just bought the Stealth Mini Digital to give that a try in
my system. Thanks again for the recommendation.
Howard |
Cytocycle,
That's really why I asked, to get suggestions, because I've not heard everything out there, but I know the type of sound that I like, a la the AA Capitole. Can't afford it, however.
We have an integrated 7W 300B SET amp, which is quite musical and engaging. And we have treated our room.
I've not heard the Gamut. Perhaps I'll have to give that unit a listen.
Thank you for the suggestions. |
Budrew,
Just when I'm about to seal the deal on an Opus 21, and you have to go and throw the Exemplar curveball in the mix?
What are you guys doing to me? I'm heading over to the Brittany Spears web site, where I know that I won't be vulnerable to taking anyone's advice. |
The Prima DAC's don't come up used very often, but it sounds like that would be ideal. In the meantime, maybe I need to try out a few of your other excellent suggestions like the Harmonix, Audio Magic, PS Audio, etc. It's all just a matter of budget and sonics, right?
Thank you all for the input. It's very helpful.
Howard |
You know, after I put my Michael Wolff source cord on my CD player, it readjusted my standards for drawing conclusions about the sonic signature and capability of a component. Just when I thought I knew the player's limits,
the stunning effect on the dimensionality and dynamics of the music forced me to a new appreciation that I would have previously considered impossible.
The rest of the components:
Audion 7W 300B SET integrated (one source input & attenuator knob, is all) with WE300B/Siemens CCa 6922 tubes.
Klipsch La Scala's (the most transparent, you-are-there speaker I've yet heard, save perhaps the Avantgarde's)
Z-Squared Au/Au IC
Quicksilver pure silver speaker cables
Wolff PC's on both the CDP & amp
Every power conditioner I've tried thus far only veils the transparency of the horns. I've not tried the Audio Magic or Z-Squared Cube. Also, we live in a rental, so dedicated lines are not currently (CURRENT-ly, get it?) a possibility.
So there you have it. I think I'm probably just getting too fussy about this, because actually it sounds rather amazing. Bad tweaker!
Howard |
I forgot to add that we are also getting an ACI Titan sub as well. Because even though my wife recently decided that she wanted to consolidate two systems back into one, her love for Tool has not waned. |
Kurt_tank,
Thanks for the comments. As I said, I only heard the Opus 21 for a short period. I would like to have more time with the player, and may buy a used one in order to have that opportunity. As you say, they are in demand on the used market so reselling it is quick and easy.
I appreciate the assessment of the Opus 21. I do love the Prima, but much of the fun of this for me is to hear the music on different equipment.
All the best,
Howard |
Fatcataudio,
Thank you as well for the comments. I think I'll just have to hear one side by side with the Prima. Incidentally, lush is exactly the word that escaped me in terms of how I would describe the Prima. And that's
what I fear losing in some other players. Still, I won't rule out the merits of any player without hearing it for myself.
In order to use the internal preamp on the Opus 21, is it true that you must use the DIN output? Please excuse me if I'm not wording this correctly, but I'm referring to connecting the Opus 21 directly to an amp, without the use of an additional preamp.
Thank you,
Howard |
Just to clarify this, if I ran the standard RCA or XLR on the Opus 21 into a preamp, would I have any issue with the volume control on the unit--since I have not bypassed it with the DIN connector? |
All clear now.
Thank you both. |
Thank you for clarifying that, Kurt_tank.
Howard |
Hi-jack away, 'goners.
I'll even do it myself. Here goes:
Just put an Electraglide Mini Khan Plus on my Prima.
I know, swearing isn't allowed, but Holy $($(#!
Two other members recommended them, and they were not kidding. I'm getting imaging dimensionally around the notes, not only at the front. I actually heard Richard Buckner's microphone buzz just a second ago. Awesome cord!
Still looking for a Resolution Audio just to try it out. There's one for sale here, but we're both standing firm at $25 apart. I just won't pay $2700+ when they've been going for around $2400, and one yesterday sold for $2K. I know because I was second in line!
Swampwalker, I think that member Lousyreeds (it may be Lousyreeds1, I can't remember) auditioned both of those players.
All the best,
Howard |
You know, we don't have dedicated lines. We're renting, so I wasn't going to mess with it here. Eventually, yes. I know that's the first step, but in our situation it unfortunately can only be the last. |
I will buck up for a fine pair of IC's, Warren. Because when I did for the PC, the difference was astounding. I put in the Mini Khan Plus yesterday. My wife then came home and said as she was walking up the stairs, "What did you do to the stereo? It sounds awesome!" So I'm curious to find out about what a special IC would do for me as well.
Thanks, Drew, for the comments. I'm curious to hear the RA, as I know that it is a wonderful player. My preferences tend to lean more towards the signature of the Prima/Capitole, with their inherent lush and laid back sound. I actually got a little concerned about heading in the direction of the Opus 21 only because I know that you've found a step up in the Audio Note products, and they just don't do anything for me. OK, start throwing the rocks everyone! I've actually spent a lot of time with the DAC 4, and although I would give it a 5/5 star rating for doing everything 'right', it just doesn't take me in like other players do.
So I'll play around some more with what I have, and spray myself for upgrade fleas. Because I got a baaaaaaaaad itch!
Thanks again.
Howard/Howie/Word/Bubba |
Warren,
Just when you think you've found greatness...and then...POW!
The Audio Magic digital mini really opens up the spaciousness of the music. The tones are more resolved, and the instrument separation is more distinct, as well as sounding more confident. Is one socket for digital (marked with the diamond?) and the other for the amp?
Thank you,
Howard |
I bought the AM used, from another A'gon member. What is the second outlet for? Why do they put the little diamond symbol on one of the outlets? Doesn't this sound like a conversation on Star Trek?
Thanks, Warren.
Howard |
Sorry, I meant that it has two sockets, not outlets. I'll never master this language!
OK, back to the Prima vs Opus Battle Royal... |
Thanks for the recommendation, Frankpiet.
I just bought a barely used Opus 21. I just had
to try it out. It will be here next week. I heard
the APL modded Denon 3910 last weekend, and that was
an awesome player. It gave a presence and body to the music that sounded so natural.
We are also using the Mini Khan Plus--the best I've found yet, though I certainly haven't tried everything out there.
Thank you again.
Howard |
I'll be happy to do that, Mrmb. Obviously, we'll have
to keep in mind that the Opus 21 will be here in our own system/room, while the APL 3910 was in another.
I'll get back to you! |
Mrmb,
We just received the Opus 21. I've been playing it for the last 7 hours. It is near new, so it is not fully burned in yet. I am running it directly into a pair of George Wright 2A3 SET amps, Klipsch La Scala horn speakers, augmented by an ACI Titan sub.
First off, the Opus 21 is an extraordinary player. From top to bottom, it has uncluttered clarity, dynamics, and perfect balance in all frequencies. It has no glare, and has a very natural, analog-like sound. The reviews I've read describe the player accurately. It almost sounds tube-like, though not quite so warm. With the stringed instruments, there is a palpability and tension that really grabs you. The midrange is spacious and airy. The dynamics and instrument separation are also right on.
My wife came home and 'spun' her 5 or 6 reference discs, and concluded exactly what I've written above. "I want the APL for my birthday," she then said. "This player is perfect except for that last bit of emotion that I heard in the APL." I refer to it as a fleshy quality to the music, and it is specifically what we look for in a player. We both agreed that in most systems, the Opus 21 would be stellar, perfect actually. She said that she usually finds herself tearful at the sound of the La Scala's, and the source must pair up accordingly. So there you have it.
"Did you hit the SEND button yet?" she's yelling from the other room, insisting that I order her the APL right this moment. As soon as the APL is ready, we'll be selling a 4-5 week old Opus 21 to some lucky audiophile.
All the best,
Howard |
Hi Vince,
Sorry but...the Opus 21 is up for sale, all crated and ready to go. We put a deposit down on the APL, so we're selling the more expensive player first. The AA Prima will be for sale when the APL is ready.
And Mike, you're quite welcome. I thought the 6 Moons review was accurate in describing the sound and many attributes of the Opus 21.
Howard |
