I bought a SACD player, in 2022, it only plays discs, no input for it's DAC, no streamer. I don't like the idea of having the "latest" features like the streaming apps, in a device I want to own for 20 years. I'll buy a separate device to stream, and use a stand alone DAC. I have lusted after the Primare DD-15 transport, but can't justify when my Denon DCD-A110 has digital outs, and it has a fantastic DAC.
@@audioarkitekts I think the DCD-A110 is excellent, it's their top tier SACD player. At $3,500 it better be excellent. I wish it had balanced XLR outputs, even without them I love it.
Hello Mike, I love that you are a standard bearer for the CD format, I am as well. I also appreciate your videos on new equipment like this one. However, I have a huge issue with your comment on SACDs. It's just not true. SACDs are still alive in the audio enthusiast space (which is the majority of your audience), and there are thousands of titles out there that many of us enjoy. If I was looking to spend significant money on a potential "last CD player" a lack of SACD compatibility would be a non-starter. Now for those who haven't invested in SACD in the past and don't care about the format, the Primare could be an excellent choice. Cheers!
I can agree with this. I try my best to steer my audience away from investing in SACDs for many reasons which I am going to discuss in an upcoming video.
@@audioarkitekts Why would you want to steer people away from SACDs? It doesn't make any sense. Yes - the equipment is expensive but once you have made the investment why would you choose to go back to standard CDs? Thankfully there are still some enterprising labels such as BIS, Chandos and Channel Classics who continue to produce outstanding recordings on SACD. So I agree with the original comment - if I am looking for a new CD player then the ability to play SACDs is essential, and I would not consider any player that did not have this feature.
Wow! This thing is a work of art. It does everything. It should have a clear top because even the inside is pretty. I can't afford it, but I can dream. Just curious, can it play MP3 CDs?
Mr Mike( we are waiting) PL-200 $699 B1x86 Volumio . With low noise 12volt $200 $900.00 Flagship DAC Streamer. We tested this with 1 hour burn-in over the top so for and better specifications
I have a Marantz ND8006 that is an exact duplicate of the Primare CD35 Prisma except for the case, it even has the exact same drive. It does everything the CD35 does and at the time I bought it the retail was around $1800. It has been discontinued as of about 5 or 6 months ago. It is just ok, but not worth $1800, no way. Even new, it was worth about $1000 at best. Don't get me wrong, it is well built indeed and even weighs on the heavy side of 20 lbs and does ALL the same tricks as the CD35 plus one more (it will play from USB sticks as well). I only use it as a CD player. I have played with the other tricks and find them cumbersome to use at best. The CD35 I'm sure is also well made, but in my opinion is worth about the same $1000 at best. It is definitely NOT worth anywhere near the $3800!! No CD player is worth that. If or when my Marantz dies (who knows when that will be, maybe not even in my lifetime), I'm actually downgrading. I don't need a "do it all" CD player. I just need it to play CDs and maybe USB sticks. I don't need streaming, bluetooth, network, etc. In fact, I hate the network tricks on mine because every other freakin device I have sees it, including my TV and I did not even activate that part of the Marantz!
Hello from Montreal, I have the Innuos streamer/cd ripper with a 1 terabyte hard drive for my digital source. Everything in one elegant box, with this I have ripped all my cds and my buddies cds. All music storage looked after, no cds lying around and with everything controlled on my tablet with access to all music streaming services. The sound quality is amazing, I have it connected to a Denafrips Venus II Dac. Unfortunately the cost of the Innuos products have gone up and they never come up on the used market It’s an excellent option all the best.
Hey Mike, good review. However, at $3800, one expects SACD. Anyone forking out this kind of hard earned cash most likely Has a sacd collection. For this reason, I only purchase Sacd Players and believe that PRIMARE has missed a trick here. Sorry for sounding so miserable. Keep the videos coming.
Hey Mike, Awesome cd player. I don't think the price is to crazy for something you will probably never upgrade again. I did the same thing with a Marantz SACD 30N. Great video. Have an awesome new year !!!
@@audioarkitektshey Mike. Love your channel. You got back into CDs and I’m thankful for that. If you get a chance would you review the technics SL-G700M2? I’d love to hear your thoughts on it. I view it as an end game component.
Hi Mike, Tried to reach you by email but didn't work! Anyway, wanted to learn about Digital Connections between DAC and Transport. Like AESEBU vs Coaxial etc. How does one know what brands are trustworthy and not sooo expensive! Thank you, larry
The top of the glass of the display looks sloppy. Since there is this high end DAC already bulit in, why still use an external DAC? A CD transport should suffice. Having a built in streamer makes this thing obsolete as soon a streaming services are added or upgraded I think.
Great video. As others did, too, I disagree with the notion of the SACDs imminent death. The business case for SACD-players still seems to work out at least for brands like Technics and marantz. With Apple Music embracing Atmos for multichannel one might argue that the days for SACDs are soon to end. I stay optimistic for the time being, though. As long as Classical music labels keep releasing excellent sounding SACD at the frequency they do now, I assume demand will continue.
I have tried the DD35 transport , CD35 and Lyngdorf cd2 into Primare pre/power with the dm36 dac , Out of the three I preferred the cd2 using balanced XLR a detailed analog sound
Interesting to me that you found apple music superior to Spotify. Given this unit only supports Airplay 2, it is compressed to AAC 256 kbps which is lower resolution than spotify connect. Not sure if what you expereinced was due to expectation bias, or if AAC is actually that good that it sounds better than higher resolution compressed streams.
Great take on an interesting product. Nice vintage Adcom gear, have some as well. They just keep working great.
I love my Adcom gear!
Sorry. I have too much invested in SACDs and a streamer. Don’t need a replacement. My Yamaha 2100 is outstanding
I bought a SACD player, in 2022, it only plays discs, no input for it's DAC, no streamer. I don't like the idea of having the "latest" features like the streaming apps, in a device I want to own for 20 years. I'll buy a separate device to stream, and use a stand alone DAC.
I have lusted after the Primare DD-15 transport, but can't justify when my Denon DCD-A110 has digital outs, and it has a fantastic DAC.
When good enough is good enough is a good place to be!
@@audioarkitekts I think the DCD-A110 is excellent, it's their top tier SACD player. At $3,500 it better be excellent. I wish it had balanced XLR outputs, even without them I love it.
Not for me, I’m gonna stick with good streamer DAC combo all the way🍀
Sounds good, stick with what you like!
Why the hell do you need CD transport when TIDAL and others are here? I have just Primare Streamer. All my CDs are on NAS.
I am surprised at the extra features. You normally see those things on an AV receiver.
That’s what I was thinking
Hello Mike, I love that you are a standard bearer for the CD format, I am as well. I also appreciate your videos on new equipment like this one. However, I have a huge issue with your comment on SACDs. It's just not true. SACDs are still alive in the audio enthusiast space (which is the majority of your audience), and there are thousands of titles out there that many of us enjoy. If I was looking to spend significant money on a potential "last CD player" a lack of SACD compatibility would be a non-starter. Now for those who haven't invested in SACD in the past and don't care about the format, the Primare could be an excellent choice. Cheers!
I can agree with this. I try my best to steer my audience away from investing in SACDs for many reasons which I am going to discuss in an upcoming video.
@@audioarkitekts Why would you want to steer people away from SACDs? It doesn't make any sense. Yes - the equipment is expensive but once you have made the investment why would you choose to go back to standard CDs? Thankfully there are still some enterprising labels such as BIS, Chandos and Channel Classics who continue to produce outstanding recordings on SACD. So I agree with the original comment - if I am looking for a new CD player then the ability to play SACDs is essential, and I would not consider any player that did not have this feature.
Wow! This thing is a work of art. It does everything. It should have a clear top because even the inside is pretty. I can't afford it, but I can dream. Just curious, can it play MP3 CDs?
Mr Mike( we are waiting)
PL-200 $699
B1x86 Volumio . With low noise 12volt $200
$900.00 Flagship DAC Streamer.
We tested this with 1 hour burn-in over the top so for and better specifications
If you can convince SMSL to send it I will do it!
I have a Marantz ND8006 that is an exact duplicate of the Primare CD35 Prisma except for the case, it even has the exact same drive. It does everything the CD35 does and at the time I bought it the retail was around $1800. It has been discontinued as of about 5 or 6 months ago. It is just ok, but not worth $1800, no way. Even new, it was worth about $1000 at best. Don't get me wrong, it is well built indeed and even weighs on the heavy side of 20 lbs and does ALL the same tricks as the CD35 plus one more (it will play from USB sticks as well). I only use it as a CD player. I have played with the other tricks and find them cumbersome to use at best. The CD35 I'm sure is also well made, but in my opinion is worth about the same $1000 at best. It is definitely NOT worth anywhere near the $3800!! No CD player is worth that.
If or when my Marantz dies (who knows when that will be, maybe not even in my lifetime), I'm actually downgrading. I don't need a "do it all" CD player. I just need it to play CDs and maybe USB sticks. I don't need streaming, bluetooth, network, etc. In fact, I hate the network tricks on mine because every other freakin device I have sees it, including my TV and I did not even activate that part of the Marantz!
I have a Adcom 555ii too but modified by hoppes brain. Well worth the investment. Also if you can get a gfp-750 preamp. Adcom best preamp made!
What’s hoppes brain?
Hello from Montreal, I have the Innuos streamer/cd ripper with a 1 terabyte hard drive for my digital source. Everything in one elegant box, with this I have ripped all my cds and my buddies cds. All music storage looked after, no cds lying around and with everything controlled on my tablet with access to all music streaming services. The sound quality is amazing, I have it connected to a Denafrips Venus II Dac.
Unfortunately the cost of the Innuos products have gone up and they never come up on the used market It’s an excellent option all the best.
I’ve seen the Innuos products! Talk about convenience
For those who have SACD discs it is important to. I for one are looking for one which does both. Good video very informative.
For the people that have SACDs already there are several amazing options on the used market.
@@audioarkitekts Do tell Michael, which ones would you suggest?
@@stuartkennedy4202technics SL-G700M2 for modern. It’s pretty much comparable to this CD player for $300 less and includes SACD.
whell i keep my Shanling cd player cd-t 100, and you can buy that primare for yourself. 😄
Sounds good! Enjoy the Shanling! I hope to get my hands on one someday soon!
Primare is awesome. Terry was my trainer at Sumiko in Berkeley. Been a big fan for a long time.
What does your system comprise of?
Terry is great! I always enjoy our conversations!
Wonder how it compares to the Technics SL-G700M2 sound wise🤔
Me too!
So does this mean you wont be reviewing anymore cd players from now on ?
I love reviewing CD players that won’t ever end ;)
For sound I would like to see how it compares to the Roksan Caspian player.
If Roksan reaches out I’d be up for the task!
Hey Mike, good review. However, at $3800, one expects SACD.
Anyone forking out this kind of hard earned cash most likely
Has a sacd collection. For this reason, I only purchase Sacd
Players and believe that PRIMARE has missed a trick here.
Sorry for sounding so miserable. Keep the videos coming.
Hey Mike, Awesome cd player. I don't think the price is to crazy for something you will probably never upgrade again. I did the same thing with a Marantz SACD 30N. Great video. Have an awesome new year !!!
Thanks Jim, happy new year
@@audioarkitektshey Mike. Love your channel. You got back into CDs and I’m thankful for that.
If you get a chance would you review the technics SL-G700M2? I’d love to hear your thoughts on it. I view it as an end game component.
Hi Mike, Tried to reach you by email but didn't work! Anyway, wanted to learn about Digital Connections between DAC and Transport. Like AESEBU vs Coaxial etc. How does one know what brands are trustworthy and not sooo expensive! Thank you, larry
The top of the glass of the display looks sloppy. Since there is this high end DAC already bulit in, why still use an external DAC? A CD transport should suffice. Having a built in streamer makes this thing obsolete as soon a streaming services are added or upgraded I think.
Great video. As others did, too, I disagree with the notion of the SACDs imminent death. The business case for SACD-players still seems to work out at least for brands like Technics and marantz.
With Apple Music embracing Atmos for multichannel one might argue that the days for SACDs are soon to end.
I stay optimistic for the time being, though. As long as Classical music labels keep releasing excellent sounding SACD at the frequency they do now, I assume demand will continue.
Question about your System don't you find older coupons have a high noise floor
I like the way it sounds. Sometimes noise adds to the character.
How is the sound compared with Lyngford CD2?
That machine does a lot of cool stuff.... If it was $1000 I would buy it
How does it compare to the lingdorf cd player you reviewed a while back?
This is a completely different device because of its feature set. However sound pound for pound they are very similar. More warmth from the Primare.
I have tried the DD35 transport , CD35 and Lyngdorf cd2 into Primare pre/power with the dm36 dac , Out of the three I preferred the cd2 using balanced XLR a detailed analog sound
Hi. Tell us about the hyper drive please?
Interesting to me that you found apple music superior to Spotify. Given this unit only supports Airplay 2, it is compressed to AAC 256 kbps which is lower resolution than spotify connect. Not sure if what you expereinced was due to expectation bias, or if AAC is actually that good that it sounds better than higher resolution compressed streams.
Perhaps AAC is that good…
@@audioarkitekts Possibly so!