Resolution Audio Opus 21 VS Consonance Droplet

Tickfight, I assume that you have already done this but in case you haven't take a moment and read the reviews that were done on 6moons by its owner. He reviewed the Consonance Droplet and the latest 'linear' Consonance 120. The interesting part of the review was his discussion of the differences between these two units, that being the way each presented the initial wave form but with different decay. The Droplet having a longer decay and the Consonance Linear having a shorter decay. Both are tubed units so its probably not just because one has tubes. Also, be sure to read between the lines. He is not always direct but he does give clues about possible drawbacks in equipment he reviews.

I mention this only because I think excessive decay is a big contributor to a lack of "openness and space" in all audio electronics. The problem IMHO becomes when the decay is shortened too much and the product takes on an unnatural brightness. Just something to thing about when evaluating your other electronics.

FWIW, from my own recent experience using modest equipment, I would vote for eliminating a pre-amp (if your system allows) in favor of finding an appropriate amp for a CDP which can drive an amp direct.

As Elsneb recommends, running it directly into a preamp, bypasses the volume control, and thus gets better sound. The Resolution Audio Opus 21 is a very analog sounding cdp when used this way. It is the best of the units I found in the under $4K range. However, to bypass the volume control, you must pony up some more cash and get a DIN output cable, as the RCA and XLR outputs both go through the volume control. (FYI, I use the Audience AU24 cable for this application.) I find it to have very good dynamics, albeit not analog good.

And, I will readily admit that the Audio Aero Capitole II is a better CDP than the Resolution Audio Opus 21. (The best cdp I have heard actually.) I have heard them in the same system, as my friend replaced his Opus 21 with the AA Capitole II. It sounds even more like a good analog source. (As you can tell, I prefer the sound of analog to digital. And, even the AA Capitole II does not sound as good as a well setup analog source, IMHO.) And, the AA Capitole II costs double the Opus 21, so it should sound better. And, unfortunately, the AA Capitole II is double your budget. If you want the best, and must go directly into your amps, I recommend saving up for the AA Capitole II.

If you have a preamp however, the Opus 21 is a good way to go. (At least in my case it is, as I would much rather put the addition $2K that it would cost to upgrade from my (used) Opus 21 to a (used) AA Capitole II, into my analog system.

My two cents worth.

Heard them side by side many times.....opus is better as clear as that.

Not heard them side by side, but extensively at different times, the Opus by a country mile. I found it more dynamic, detailed, but with no digital harshness. As an aside, I recently heard a friens new Pathos Endorphin, about the best CD I have ever heard, a wide soundstage, smooth, but again retaining detail and the full decay of notes.
I compared the Endorphin with my heavily Modded Shanling CDT100, a much bigger performance gap than I expected, particularly in detail and dynamics. So my next upgrade is an Opus 21, modded by GNSC or the endorphin.

Thanks for those who have responded. An interesting thing has happened. I recently added some supertweeters (Not VSA) which have greatly improved the sound stage congestion. I am now pumped because I know that this set up will sound even better once I get a decent CD player. I am currently using an old Sony NS555EX SACD running and no offence to the old Sony, things I know could be better.