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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
 
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
mrmb's avatar
mrmb
299 posts
 
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....
boa2's avatar
boa2 OP
1,551 posts
 
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!
boa2's avatar
boa2 OP
1,551 posts
 
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
muralman1
1,527 posts
 
Hi Howard, any chance I can audition the Opus at my place?
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