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REVIEW: Primare D-30.2 CD Player/Recorder

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Model: D-30.2
Category: CD Player/Recorder
Suggested Retail Price: $2,000
Description: cd player with 20 bit capabilities
Manufacturer URL: Primare
Manufacturer URL: Primare

Review by CorelHead ( A ) on March 25, 2004 at 13:19:38
IP Address: 81.198.158.54
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for the D-30.2


I auditioned Primare D30.2 CD player at local dealer shop. First we connected Primare V25 DVD player to Primare SP31.7 processor and A30.5 power amp (Van den Hul speaker cables and interconnects, Triangle Solis loudspeakers). Dealer explained that many people find this combination good enough and there is good video option as well. Sound wasn't bad, but nothing exciting too. Then replaced V25 to D30.2, and immediately noticed remarkable sound improvement. Sound became crisper, etc. But again, there was nothing to be excited about.

There was in the front of us McIntosh system, consisting of their "entry level" models (MVP851 CD player, C42 Pre-Amp and MC202 Power Amp) with Avalon (Opus or Eidolon, don't remember) loudspeakers (the best Van den Hul speaker cables). This system sounded much better, soundstage improved dramatically, but it was missing sparkle in the very top range of the treble. 2nd piece from Beethoven's 5th Symphony (Herbert von Karajan, Deutsche Gramophone) isn't very sparkling, so this recording reveals system's transparency. Also, London Philharmonic Choir and The National Philharmonic Orchestra's choral CD "Abide with Me" by Carlton Sounds (piece No. 7 "Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory") reveals system's transparency, clarity and soundstage imaging in great detail. Again McIntosh missed sparkle on percussions and the upper range was too much smoothed. Overall this system sounded very good, but I didn't find any "soul" in it that would move me to listen music through this system again and again. Apparently McIntosh isn't for classical music, as even it's design suggests more "heavy metal stuff" to be used on it.

Finally when I was about to leave that shop, I noticed another Primare's amplifier on the floor in the corner, A30.1 integrated amp. I asked if salesperson could connect this amp to the D30.2, and he gladly agreed. Suddenly all music changed so dramatically!!! There it was - holographic 3-D soundstage, crystal clear trebles, middles and deep, but precise and controlled bass. Wow, what a surprise! Primare system was 4 times cheaper than McIntosh & Avalon system, and sounded twice better, with more presence and air! It had sparkle in the treble which McIntosh system lacked, had better stereo imaging and real "soul". It's pity that so many people don't know anything about your company and its great products. Now D30.2 and A30.1 are at the very top of my dream-list!

When salesperson put live sax recording (audiophile quality CD recording), it was breathtaking experience - finally I could LOUDLY hear how air is going through the sax, every button being pressed, musician's breathing, saliva in his mouth, and so on. It was almost as if deaf person had been cured!

Primare system easily outperformed my long-time favorites Marantz PM-17 mkII and Marantz CD-17 mkIII with Tannoy Dimension TD10 loudspeakers (and then with Canton Ergo 1002 DC) loudspeakers hands down!!! I was really disappointed to see that Marantz system even with such hi-end speakers as Tannoy TD8 couldn't fight back. In fact, I found TD10 to be even worse sounding than now discontinued Definition line's D-500 loudspeakers (D-500’s are 3 or 4 times cheaper!). (There was some kind of "mud" in the middle frequency band in US$9000 Tannoy TD10 which was not on $2300 Tannoy D-500's, and even $1900 Canton Ergo 1002 DC sounded much better than TD10!).

So after hearing all these systems all I can say is this -- listen Primare system and make your own decision! You can spend 4 or 6 times more money and won't get better sound...


Product Weakness: Absolutely nothing!
Product Strengths: 3-D holographic imaging, real-life sound, silky transparency, transparency and once more transparency!


Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Primare A30.1
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): None
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Primare D30.2
Speakers: Triangle Solis
Cables/Interconnects: Van den Hul
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Classical, Jazz
Room Size (LxWxH): 7m x 4m x 3m
Room Comments/Treatments: Specially treated walls for listening
Time Period/Length of Audition: 3 hours
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Power Conditioner (don't know brand)
Type of Audition/Review: Dealer Demo
Your System (if other than home audition): I have just a second-hand Sony MDS-JB920 QS MiniDisc deck and portable recorder, PC and Sennheiser HD250 Linear II headphones. But I have opportunity to listen at my friend's apartment Sony 740 CD player, Onkyo Integra 9110 integrated amp, and Tannoy D-500 loudspeakers, curretnly all is wired with the entry level Oehlbach cables, but it may improve in the future with Van den Hul or Kimber Kable cables, Primage CD and amp. We auditioned Primare for my friend.




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Topic - REVIEW: Primare D-30.2 CD Player/Recorder - CorelHead 13:19:38 03/25/04 ( 0)