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Upgrade Audio Aero Prima with mods?

I really liked the sound of the AA Prima when demoing, and recently acquired one here on A-gon. I hope it sounds great in my system as well. Here is my question: I purchased this unit hoping to use the analog out to replace my preamp, or at least see if I like a direct volume control. If it works, I will sell the preamp and put the money toward upgrading the Prima with mods, or possibly a better CDP (budget $2200 used).

Does anyone here have experience with an upgraded Prima? I could probably get a good upgrade package for around $1000 extra, and a used Capitole would cost me $2500 extra. Would the mods likely get close to the performance of the Capitole or a similiarly priced unit? I don't expect miracles, but it would be nice if it were 90-95% of the way there. I currently have an $1800 (retail) source in a $12K (retail) system, and I would like to get the front end up to "the point of diminishing returns". I just don't have $3500 (used price) to spend on a CDP. If I upgrade it, I would be keeping it for the forseeable future.
dawgcatching
aball
2,018 posts
 
Boa2 is correct that the only Prima version with volume control was the original one.

I have a Prima Mk2 (with the Philips transport) and I simply love it and wouldn't dream of paying $1000 to mod it.

I would say that getting a Capitole would be your best bet.

Arthur
restock
831 posts
 
Which version of the Prima is it since there have been many many revisions (MK I, early MK II with mirror finish, latest MKII with XLR outputs, MKIII with new Sony transport.

I own the Prima MKII CDP (XLR version) and don't see the point of modding it. If you like the sound of the Prima and can spend extra, why not take a look at the Prima DAC (same DAC as Capitole) with transport or the Capitole itself.

Enjoy!
dawgcatching OP
139 posts
 
Thanks for the info. Maybe I should hold off on the Prima upgrade for now. I have the latest version with the Philips transport (would be MKII) that I bought here on A-gon. It should be here in a few days. If it is working well in my system, then I will give Steve a call and see what he says, or check out the Prima DAC.
boa2's avatar
boa2
1,551 posts
 
I have the latest version with the Philips transport (would be MKII) that I bought here on A-gon
The latest version has a Sony transport. Yours is the one previous, cannot be run direct to the amp, and I would not mod it. Just my two cents.
restock
831 posts
 
It should be here in a few days. If it is working well in my system, then I will give Steve a call and see what he says, or check out the Prima DAC.

Why not wait, live with it for a few month. You might like it so much that no upgrade is necessary. If you like it's type of sound but are still missing something, then it would be a good idea to upgrade in my opinion. But I would not decide that before I used it for a couple of months.
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