Review: Resolution Audio Opus 21 CD Player

Category: Digital

I would first like to start off by saying I have finally found the CD player which has made me stop looking at all the other digital options out there. Having first delved into the digital upgrade world about 3 years ago, it has been a non-stop “what if?” since my first digital upgrade made me realize the importance of the front end.

I have spent countless hours researching and checking prices on all sorts of digital solutions from one box designs to two box units. I desired flexibility in my system with the ability to have multiple digital inputs to decode movies from my DVD player, although this was not a necessity, it was an added bonus.

I have owned the following pieces:

Marantz 63SE
Meridian 500 Transport + Monarchy 18B DAC
CEC TL2X Transport + Monarchy 18B DAC
Accuphase DP-65V

I have demoed extensively the following:

Electrocompaniet EMC-1 MKII
Accuphase DP-75V
Marantz SA-14
Theta Miles

I will get into the comparisons later.

I received the Opus 21 last Tuesday; it arrived in a custom wooden crate, about 20 inches cubed and roughly 30 lbs. The top is hinged and opens after releasing two Velcro straps to reveal a well padded interior with an accessory box, a layer of padding, the cd player in a sealed bag, a layer of padding, then finally the power supply in a sealed bag. The whole design is a very functional and sturdy design, alleviating any shipping butterflies anyone may have.

The Opus 21 is a two box unit, one for the transport and DAC, the other for the digital display and power supply-my unit is solver on silver. Each box is very small, and light. The Opus has a 99 step analog volume control which is designed to go direct to amp, as Resolution Audio recommends no preamp! Balanced and RCA outs are supplied. A digital input is included for DVD players or other PCM sources. A remote WITH direct track access and volume control is included.

The overall build quality is excellent, although not up to Accuphase standards (what is?). The remote is simple and functional, although somewhat of an EMC 1 remote-light and cheap. The Opus 21 tracks lightning fast. So fast that when scanning through tracks you actually get the first second of each song. There is also ZERO noise from the transport. I know the old ones had some noise issues; this is clearly fixed in these new units.

I set up the Opus 21 into my system:

Pass Labs X150
Cardas Golden Cross 1M XLR interconnect
Synergistic Research Alpha Quad biwire speaker cable with active shielding
Platinum Solos

My listening tastes include female vocals, rock and jazz. Limited classical. The most important aspects of listening are a 3 dimensional soundstage, the ability for a CD player to clearly carry each instrument within a recording without smearing them together, tight fast bass, and a musical non-fatiguing demeanor. I hate digititis and like everyone else, long for CD to equal LPs.

Upon the first song right out of the box, I knew I was in for something special. Right away there was detail and separation beyond that which I have experienced in my system before. I settled down and allowed the player to run in for a few hours before listening again. Upon my second listen, I noticed an increase in soundstage, more defined bass and greater detail. So after roughly 30 hours of break-in here are my conclusions:

This is the most well balanced digital source I have experienced. The vocals are smooth and rich, although not syrupy or tube-like. The highs are completely non-fatiguing, extended but never ever harsh. The bass is firm and well defined, but never bloated or mushy. There is absolutely no part of this machine which stands over the other, it is very well balanced.

The sound staging and 3-dimensionality is second to none. Instruments appear out of blackness deep behind the speakers, while vocals seem to float over the front of the speakers. There is so much layering and depth that I find myself going through my entire CD collection to see what I have been missing. There is an uncanny air and naturalness to instruments. Drums have a defined impact and resonation within their own space. Cymbals have natural decay not heard on my system before.

I feel very drawn into the music, each instrument has its own space and can easily be followed. There is no smearing of instruments or vocals on complex passages. Amazing. The sound is alive, clean and open!

In terms of musicality, the Opus 21 has it in spades. Having sold my Accuphase DP-65V because it specifically lacked musicality (to my ears) I was delighted and relieved to have the toe tapping musical involvement back.

For comparisons:

Meridian + Monarchy: The Meridian was great, smooth and detailed, but lacking emotion and musicality. The sound was also somewhat sterile and the soundstage was not as deep or wide as it should be, very digital sounding in comparisons. The Opus 21 is superior in every aspect of listening.

CEC + Monarchy: The CEC added detail and musicality at the expense of some low end definition. The vocals are second to none, extremely smooth and liquid and the soundstage was wide and deep (very 3 dimensional). Female voices on belt drive transports are exceptional and the Opus cannot fully match the CEC on this. The CEC was also somewhat limited at the extremes and lacking somewhat in dynamics. The Opus 21 retains about 98% of the CEC liquidity in the vocals and adds in bass definition, dynamic attack, detail and added dimensionality and layering.

Accuphase DP-65V: This player was a big disappointment. Other than being the most impressively built piece of audio equipment I have ever owned, it seemed outdated. I did like the 65V better than the Meridian + Monarchy, but I preferred by a large margin the CEC + Monarchy combo. The 65V simply lacked the 3 dimensionality of the CEC as well as its musicality. The bass seemed improved, however as my wife put it, the Accuphase hurts my ears. Just not fun to listen to complex passages on.

CEC into DP-65V DACs: Simple…I liked the CEC + Monarchy better.

Accuphase DP-75V: My memory of this player proves that it was indeed a step up from the DP-65V, although it had the familiar Accuphase sound. Meaning, very smooth, detailed, but just not at all musical. The 75V was closer to the Meridian than the EMC, somewhat digital sounding. The Opus 21 adds in musicality and openness I felt were missing in the DP-75V.

EMC1: Very musical, but from memory I felt the Opus 21 had it beat in detail and layering. The Opus 21 was much more 3 dimensional.

Marantz SA-14 + Theta Miles: Just in a completely different league. I had the SA-14 on redbook in my system the day before I got the Opus 21. It was being run with a Hovland HP-100 preamp and Audioquest Amazon interconnects. There just was no contest, the Marantz was great but seemed compressed and flat compared to the Opus. The Theta was in the same boat.

Order of preference: 1) Opus 21, 2) CEC + Monarchy, 3) Accuphase DP-75V and EMC1 in a tie (for musicality and emotion go with EMC, for detail and politeness go with DP-75V), 4) DP-65V, 5) everything else.

So the main question is, yes the CEC is great, but what about a great DAC to match. This is where I had to make a decision. If I had gone a new DAC route, who knows? I contemplated the chord, Kora, CEC DACs, birdland, levinson, ECD-1, Audio Aero. Problem is, it was going to be much more $$$ and I couldn’t justify it. I run direct into my amp and have no preamp so some of these DACs required the purchase of a preamp and tons of cables. The DACs in the opus are top notch and I would love to compare a complete high end 2 box to it, but honestly do not feel it would better the opus without going into major major debt. Also, having the preamp, DAC, transport introduces so many variables it will make you crazy. Every cable makes a difference and makes room for error.

In summary, I am now very satisfied with what I have. I do feel I have a real high-end digital source and I have no intention on selling. Are their better sources? You bet. Will it cost absurd amounts of money? YOU BET! I feel I would have to spend at least 3-4 times the price to better this piece ($9-$12k).

Strengths: Seems to do everything just right, does not stand out in any area, very neutral open and dynamic. The sound is so open and deep, you can see right into the music. Very musical and somewhat emotional sounding, although not as emotional as the CEC.

Weaknesses: Cheap plastic remote, but it is very functional.

Associated gear
Pass Labs X150
Cardas Golden Cross 1M XLR interconnect
Synergistic Research Alpha Quad biwire speaker cable with active shielding
Platinum Solos

Similar products
Meridian 500 Transport + Monarchy 18B DAC
CEC TL2X Transport + Monarchy 18B DAC
Accuphase DP-65V
Electrocompaniet EMC-1 MKII
Accuphase DP-75V
Marantz SA-14
Theta Miles