CD Player volume control

Adding to the last poster on the topic of volume controls; unless the CD player has a very high quality analogue stepped antenuator you are better off with direct out to an amp with a passive linestage, or external preamp, with quality stepped antenuators.

Matching the voltage/impedance output to the input of the amplifier is absolutely critical with a passive linestage (or active for that matter)

Warren, I haven't compared the RA Opus 21 CDP to the Prima, so I'm not stating it to be superior, however it does have a premium 100% analog volume control that works like a dream. If you want to try going direct, this would be a great start. I would direct you to look into it based on the packaging (wooden crate), the build quality, the sonics, the service from RA, it realy is a nice unit. I ran it through a Manley Stingray integrated for several months and it performed super. I turned up the volume on the Stingray to max and ran off the RA Opus' analog volume control. Today it runs straight to my AES Sixpacs equally as well.

>>yes, I realize feeding directly into the amp is the best way to go, but cannot afford that now)

warren, this is NOT a forgone conclusion! I 3rd Arni & C123666.
From my experience the CDP needs to have sufficient o/p voltage to drive a power amp direct. When I had my Wadia 861 set to the factory 4.25V output, it drove a Plinius SA-250Mk4 (a friends) w/o any problems whatsoever. Today I have the o/p voltage much lower (tailored to fit my system) & it cannot drive that same amp (took my CDP over again) worth a cr**! The sound, w/ the lowered o/p voltage, is much degraded. Inserting a preamp redeems the sound.
If you upgrade the CDP volume control to a DacT or 1% precision resistor stepped attenuator then I'd agree w/ you. FWIW.

I simply gotta ask this question too - are you tired of your Audio Aero Prima CDP (the one that was THE BEST ever!)??

---Didn't you mean the Caravelles?