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Upgrade Audio Aero Prima with mods?

I really liked the sound of the AA Prima when demoing, and recently acquired one here on A-gon. I hope it sounds great in my system as well. Here is my question: I purchased this unit hoping to use the analog out to replace my preamp, or at least see if I like a direct volume control. If it works, I will sell the preamp and put the money toward upgrading the Prima with mods, or possibly a better CDP (budget $2200 used).

Does anyone here have experience with an upgraded Prima? I could probably get a good upgrade package for around $1000 extra, and a used Capitole would cost me $2500 extra. Would the mods likely get close to the performance of the Capitole or a similiarly priced unit? I don't expect miracles, but it would be nice if it were 90-95% of the way there. I currently have an $1800 (retail) source in a $12K (retail) system, and I would like to get the front end up to "the point of diminishing returns". I just don't have $3500 (used price) to spend on a CDP. If I upgrade it, I would be keeping it for the forseeable future.
dawgcatching

Showing 2 responses by boa2

boa2's avatar
boa2
1,551 posts
 
Unless things have changed GNSC does not mod Audio Aero gear. At least that's what Steve told me when I phoned him a while back about modding my Prima.

How are you proposing to use the direct volume control? My understanding is only the first version of the Prima CDP had that feature. Mine (the version before the latest with the Sony transport) did not have that feature. If it is the first version of the Prima that you have, I would definitely not mod it, because if your transport goes--they were problematic--you could end up with nothing more than a book end.

If you can save up for a Capitole MKII, that would be my suggestion. You can run it direct, and you will be satisfied for a long time.
boa2's avatar
boa2
1,551 posts
 
I have the latest version with the Philips transport (would be MKII) that I bought here on A-gon
The latest version has a Sony transport. Yours is the one previous, cannot be run direct to the amp, and I would not mod it. Just my two cents.
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