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Audio Aero Prima vs. Resolution Audio Opus 21

We currently own the Prima, and have heard the Opus 21, though only for a short audition, and not in our home. Just curious what you might think of the differences? We love the warmth and intimacy of the Prima. It could perhaps dig a little deeper for increased dynamics and resolution. We may spend the $150 to try out the Opus 21, but my concern is having a non-tube player. There is a certain thinness and dryness to most digital that I don't care for. We would spend up to $3K as necessary, but are for a number of reasons apprehensive about the modded players.
We prefer the dimensionality and airy sound of the Prima to the pristine accuracy of say, the Audio Note CDP/DAC's.
Any thoughts and/or recommendations? Stick with what we have? Spring for a $1000 interconnect? OK, not so fast!
128x128boa2

Showing 4 responses by kurt_tank

kurt_tank
1,189 posts
 
First off, I have never heard the Prima, so I will not comment on its sound. Based on those who have, it seems to be pretty darned good though!

However, I do own the Opus 21, and I love it. My friend upon hearing mine, immediate went out and bought one, and he too loves it. He compared it to his Theta and quickly sold his Theta. He even bought a Esoteric DV-50 thnking it would beat the Opus, and sold the DV-50 after comparing it. (I will point out that both my friend and I are both primarily into analog, so we were both looking for a good redbook player that sounded close to the analog sound. We feel we found it in the Opus 21.)

So I highly recommend the Opus 21. If you can afford to buy it new from Resolution Audio, do so, I doubt you would regret it. (By the way, Jeff, the owner of R.A., is a great guy, and an asset to the audio community!)
However, if funds are low, then buy a used Opus 21, and if you like it keep it. (If not, sell it and be out almost nothing, since the used market is pretty hot for them.) There is one for sale right now on Audiogon for $2,500 including shipping, which is a pretty good price.
(By the way, the current price is $3,500 and the restocking fee is 5%, so that works out to $175, plus shipping, not the $150, you stated. It used to be $150 when the price was $3,000.)

Good Luck in your search!
kurt_tank
1,189 posts
 
Mijknarf is correct. It is no problem.

Using the DIN output just removes one more device from the sound chain, and since I use a preamp anyway, it just makes more sense (for me anyway) to avoid going through the volume control.
kurt_tank
1,189 posts
 
Boa2,

No, actually that is the exact opposite.
In order to avoid the internal volume control, the DIN output will bypass it. (FYI, this is exactly what I do. I use a Ayre K-1X preamp, and had an Audience Au24 DIN-XLR cable made just for that purpose.)

Both the RCA output and the XLR output will go through the volume control, if you wish to connect directly to your amp.

Good Luck!
kurt_tank
1,189 posts
 
The DIN handles both the left and the right channel in one connection. (It has five individual wired connectors.) My cable connection that I had specially built by Audience is actually a "Y" cable. (It has one DIN connector, and two XLR connectors at the other ends.)

Hope that helps!
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