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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
boa2's avatar
boa2 OP
1,551 posts
 
Cytocycle,
Your descriptions of the various players were exactly as I have noted as well. Thank you greatly for all of the excellent advice.

With the PS Audio 300, does the Multiwave II come with the optional fan & Tubewave, or are we talking about two separate $800 units (the 300 + the fan)?

Thank you again. This is a big help.
Best regards,
Howard
1markr
594 posts
 
Boa,

If you can stretch your budget by a couple hundred dollars you could get a pre-owned or demo Audio Aero Prima DAC, which is the same DAC section as in the Capitole II. I'm using one with a cheapo Denon 2200 as the transport with great results.
warrenh's avatar
warrenh
2,299 posts
 
Howard, I'm not having that shortcoming with my Prima as far as bass extension. I don't know what the rest of your system consists of, but if you're leaning toward the Prima, maybe you should try a pair of Harmonix Golden Performance ICs. When I upgraded to them from the Cardas Golden Ref (no slouch in the IC department) it was as if I gave my Prima a shot of steroids, opening the sound up top to bottom. And I mean: open. I started with their power cords and flipped. Had to do the ICs. Unbelievable, and less costly than the big boys. I know a few audiophools, who have traded in their Valhallas for the Harmonix.. Go figure...peace, warren
jayctoy's avatar
jayctoy
4,213 posts
 
Boa I heard the Prima DAC of 1Markr, its very musical.
cytocycle
1,043 posts
 
The PS Audio Powerplant with Multiwave II comes with Tubewave (this is a function inside of the Multiwave II), the Fan is optional, but you don't need it right away. My CD player and preamp only pull 90 together, but my friends Rogue tube preamp pulled 200watts, my other friends ARC VS55i and Meridian CD player pulls 150watts. The unit maxes out at ~230watts. so if you can see what the required voltage for you SET amp is and your CD player (my cd player manual listed a higher value than it actually used). Don't buy a PS Audio powerplant 300 without Multiwave II the upgrade cost is too much versus buying on already with it. The fan kit is $100 if you need it, depends on if you are able to run your integrated and cd player.

1markr: made a good suggestion about the Audio Aero Prima Dac as an option but later a good transport makes a huge difference in my experience.

fee free to email me through agon if you have questions abou t the ps audio.
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