Audio Aero Prima 24/192 Mk II cd player......

You have a great system. I owned the Prima and another dozen Dac's and players - all very good. The Prima is a little forward sounding. I found the Ack Dac V2 to sound better and it can be had for $650 used or $850 new.

I also found the Cary 308T to be better than the Prima. The Prima is good, but you can do better for less money IMHO.

Bill

Judy 426 thanks for your comments. I owned the Ack DAC V2 and it did better the Prima. I love the Prima, but trust me it was a contest. My system when I had both units was far from forward sounding.

Cain & Cain IM Ben double horns
Wright 3.5 SET monoblocks
Wright top of the line preamp
Tara Air 1 IC's
BPT conditioner
Echo Buster and other room treatments

Very nice and intimate sounding system that was very revealing. As good as the Prima is it did sound forward compared to many top end units passing through my reference system. I prefered my Metronome C20 Signature DAC also at the time.

This is a matter of personal taste of coarse. I just found the forward nature a little much over extended listening sessions.

Bill

"the minor audio differences are not worth quibbling about"

That is what this hobby and love is all about! Those small differences in one's system, room and personal taste is what makes a system come together in the end. It is what turns a stereo into music.

Agree with the battery comment and that is why I don't own it any longer. However, my system is on for day parts all the time!

For those who don't care about small differences - continue to enjoy what you have and pay no attention to the rest of us nuts :-)

Bill

Bluebull, would you consider $2300-$2500 to much? If not, then get a Resolution Audio Opus 21 used. I have also owned this unit and it is the second best unit I have heard in my home system. It is right behind the AA Capital Sig Version.

It would be wonderful with the rest of your system. The Prima would also sound good, but the Opus 21 is certainly a step or cut above in every way. It offers XLR's and has a wonderful analog volume to. I am sure you are aware of this unit as I have seen your username quite often on this site.

Bluebull, I have owned the Prima and have compared it at lenght to many other good players and DAC's. Check my feedback and see I am a long time and active audiofool.

My system (systems) were well matched and good for comparing various front ends. We all have opinions to be sure. We all have a sonic personality we like and thus we are all right.

I can honestly (IMHO) say the Prima is not the best in its price class as several other players in my home were better and by a good margin. I found it tilted up sounding and in the end fatiguing to my ears. Yes, a little forward and a little less body then I like. I like meat with my potatoes.
The Prima needs more meat and balance top to bottom. Perhaps the lack of meat made the sound seem tilted up or forward.

It is a very good player and my comments are about degrees of performance only. A used Opus 21 is better in every sonic way. I found the Cary 308T to have better dynamics, more meat/body and it is less money used or new.The Metronome CD players and DAC's are also better performers. I owned the C20 Signature DAC and that bested the Cary and Prima and reaaly gave the Opus 21 a run for the money. The older Metronome tubed Signature players can be had for a song used and they are wonderful sounding.

My current Muse Thalia CD/DVD player also bests the Prima from top to bottom. It is not tubed, but has XLR and no need for a preamp if you want. $1000 used on Agon.

I had the AA Capitole Signature version in my home two months ago and it is the finest player I have heard. That unit has meat, body, detail, huge stage - everything! The Prima is not 80-90% as good. They have very different sound and share only the company name.

Make sure you get a trial period if you go for the Prima.

Bill

Yes, don't worry and be happy as all of this is fun! The Prima may be perfect sounding to another who likes a different sound. This hobby is all about what you like to hear.

If you try the Prima and like it, then keep it and enjoy. If you find it lacks body, send it back and try another. That simple. Even better, buy it used for the right price and sell if you want to try another. If you buy right you wont lose money and can try another. I love this site just for this reason.

So many have raved about the Prima I had to try it. My experience was not like theirs. I sold it after two months hoping it would "change". Rooms can also impact the sound of a system and front end dramatically. A system that works great in one room will have "issues" in another.

Just try and enjoy like other posters have said. Great to try your two top choices side by side and decide. Sell the loser or send it back as part of a trial!

Bill