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 |
Boa2/Howard: Thanks for the comparison!
I did have the opportunity of auditioning the Opus 21 in my system last year, and your description highly correlated to my experience; especially you string palpability comment. Additionally, as you, both my wife and I thought the top to bottom coherence of the Opus was one of its many positive traits -- overall a very good player indeed! So, having that baseline, your comparison is highly relevant....Thanks, Mike
|
Hi Howard, any chance I can audition the Opus at my place? |
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 |
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! |
Howard/Boa2: After the R/A arrives, it would be interesting to hear of your thoughts regarding the Opus 21 vs 3910. A post of same would be welcomed.... |
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 |
In your case I would buy the Ayre CX-7 e add some damping material, buy an Electraglide Mini Khan Plus power cord, Acoustic Zen Silver Reference II IC´s (balanced) and sit back and relax. I once had a Prima that was quite quickly replaced by the Ayre (more liquidity, speed, space, detail and transparency, great mids, bass was o.k.). Sold it now because awaiting the new Ayre C-5 XE. Can´t comment on the Opus 21 but according to the German press it is on the better side of cd-playback. But would recommend AudioNet Art V2 - a bestseller in German high-end audio. |
Who's the lucky turd who got the RA Opus 21 for $1999? I sent the seller an email offering $2,200, but it was too late... I went ahead and closed a deal for $2,500 on another one. I've never hear the Primus, but have heard the Opus on another system (which is very similar to mine). From tubas to triangle, it was absolutely real! |
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... |
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 |
No! Keep your amp, unless it is digital, outta there. Don't want your analog and digital to get aquainted that way. Keep your eyes open, and when you spot a AM Stealth Mini? Grab it. Your analog will be beholding. How did you break in your AM? How many hours did you put on it? I thought you just purchased it. Maybe broken in already? Used? Inquiring minds want to know. peace, warren |
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 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 |
Swamp...take my comments knowing that I am an RA dealer and have an obvious bias. But I'm with Fatcataudio...I strongly prefer the Opus 21 to the EMC-1UP. To my ears, the Opus 21 has a much more natural and balanced sound, whereas the EMC-1UP has a bit of a heavier (thumpier?) sound with less smoothness as you move from deep bass to the midrange. |
Boa2, Warrenh is right. They are ALL good CDPs. I've never heard the Prima but I know a lot of people really like it. Though I'm not using the Opus 21 at the moment I can't part with it because it's a great player and it's size makes it flexible. The Opus 21 also offers flexibility in output options. If increased dynamics and resolution are what you're looking for the Opus 21 should offer that for you. I'm sure you've seen it but the unit is reviewed on 6moons.com (the Exemplar is also reviewed there). |
Relax Howie, you've found greatness. There's just a heck of a lot it around in this audiophoolish world. Enjoy your tunes. You've hot one killer source, there. If you don't already, treat yourself to a pair of killer ICs. That Prima deserves the best. We may have done this rap before. I strongly recommend the Harmonix Golden Performance. Great synergy with the Prima, and probably just about every source it can touch. |
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. |
Swampwalker, Exemplar modded Denon. Having owned both the EMC-1 and the Opus 21 let me say the Exemplar modded CDPs offer what you are looking for. |
Actually, that's what I am concerned about. I've been listening to some modded U-players and they are beating the EMC (CD to CD) in terms of resolution, but the EMC is a bit "fuller" if I can use that term. So now I want both! |
Swamp- I have heard it. In my opinion, the EMC1 UP (not sure if it was the SE?) offers nothing over the Opus. They are both musical players, but the EMC simply does not have the resolution and detail that the Opus has. Actually, I believe you heard the Opus when you demoed the VR4 SEs..... |
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. |
Howard, fasten your seatbelt and keep smelling salts beside your listening chair when you hook that Mini Khan Plus up to your AM. I hope you're putting that AM digital into a dedicated outlet. 'tis the only facet left to electric nirvana.....enjoy |
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 |
Howard, give that baby a long break in with an electric heater or something that has high amperage. You're going to love it. Your cdp is about to be awakened. let me know how much you love it...sorry for the thread hi-jack.. |
don't mean to hi-jack this thread, but anyone out there heard the RA Opus 21, compared to an EMC-1UP SE? |
That the RCAs sound better than the XLR on the Audio Aero might have more to do with what is downstream from your Cd player. Perhaps your amp has a preferance for RCAs as my McIntosh 2102 is an unbalanced amp and the XLRs add juat another circuit. |
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 |
Phil, the RCAs do sound better on the Prima than the XLRs. go figure... |
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. |
FWIW, I know two Opus 21 owners who prefer using the RCA output over the DIN output. |
All clear now.
Thank you both. |
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. |
I believe the answer is no. You would set the volume on the Opus to max and use your pre for volume control. |
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? |
Fatcat and Kurt_tank,
Thanks much for the helpful replies. |
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! |
A DIN-RCA or XLR connector simply has the single DIN on one side, then splits into two RCAs or XLRs. |
Fatcat or Ktank,
Could you expand on the Opus21 DIN output to a preamp? As I see it, the Opus has a single DIN output. This may be a dumb question, but how do you connect to the right and left XLR or RCA inputs on a preamp?
Thanks. |
Kurt is right, you bypass the analog control stage by using the DIN output and using a DIN-RCA (or DIN-XLR if you wish) connector (the Audience DIN-RCA and DIN-XLR cables are in MHO the best). If you are using a preamp, I think it is a well worth while investment. Not a night and day difference, but ever so slightly better dynamics and authority through the DIN. Don't get me wrong the output through the standard RCA or XLR is quite phenomenal itself. |
Thank you for clarifying that, Kurt_tank.
Howard |
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! |
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 |
The Opus is a phenomenal player at any price. Hands down a winner, however if you need warmth and a full lush sound, the Opus may not totally deliver. It will deliver musicality, great PRAT, openness, detail, literally everything you could ever want except lushness. To some extent warmth and detail are at two ends of a spectrum and to have both is almost impossible, however some heavy dollar players come close to this. My recc is to get the Opus for everything it does right, then add a tubed preamp or amp to get you lushness, a true delight and will be your best bet, IMO. You can also tweak with the right cables. I don't think the Prima will give you the depth, detail, dynamics, imaging etc, etc that the opus can provide. |
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 |
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. |
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 |
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! |
Boa,
All you hear about the AA Prima is correct.
I had one and traded for the Capitole MKI,but I'll tell you the Prima is a very compelling player for 1/4 the price of the Capitole.Now that being said I also eliminated my preamp cause I am single sourced.As for conditioning it is a must and Audio Magic's are amazing and also the Z-Squared Cube for a lot less money.
I also agree with Cytocycle about the other player descriptions,I can't believe his descriptions are exactly as I heard them.Really it must be like a mind meld or something.
Oh ya I still kick myself in the ass for not keeping the Prima as a spare unit .
Cheers,Peter |
Budget, isn't that always the deal? I would like to know more about your electronics, speakers, present ICs, power cords, before coming up with the conclusion that it is your Prima that needs changing. I can't see it. The Prima, drop dead, amazes me on every listen. For the sound and the $$...give us your system; and we'll give you the world (oops), I mean give you enough to drive you crazy... |
