Transparency, sonic qualities overall, build quality

features

Hi, I'm living now quite a while with this CD-player and am still rather impressed of the sonic qualities of the D30.2 I use the D30.2 as digital source for different amps (and speakers), as well as I've tried the player in other combinations of amps and speakers. Primary, I use the D30.2 in conjunction with my other Primares, the A30.1 integrated amplifier and R20 and T20 (where the D30.2 clearly is the best component within this Primare range of products), with a set of modified MANGER 109 loudspeakers. Also, I use the D30.2 as source for my VAIC 300B SE tube amp and highly efficient Odeon horn speakers (98 db), which will reveal the last details (except the deepest bass below 30 Hz) provided by the source components. The D30.2 is a product, which seems to have unlimited qualities in terms of transparency. Also, smoothness is exceptional, never sounded a CD player less fatiguing than this to me (well, I would like to try a far more expensive tube based JADIS or a BAT some day). Also, attack and rhythm is on a very high level, I don't miss anything here, even in comparison with my rather quick analog devices (Moerch UP4, Benz L2, EAR MC3/834P combo). Even after two years of daily listening, I don't feel, I will ever need a better digital source, nor that the whole presentation, especially in combination with the tube stage will get much better than this overall, without spending megabucks. Finally, I strongly suggest using the balanced output, even if there's no matching balanced input on the amp, it's definitely superior. But, there is of course some criticism. What's not perfect is the handling of the D30.2 CD's often need a repositioning a second time, and even a 200 U$ SONY offers a lot more of convenient features, which we will not find on the expensive D30.2. (e.g. a convenient title repeat function for testing or burn in). Therefore, I only give a four star rating for value.

Similar Products Used:

Sony, Denon, Restek, T+A, etc.

very musical. midrange. soundstage. non fatiguing

a bit polite some will say
slow and noisy drawer

I auditioned this player at home after reading an enthusiastic review of French magazine NDRS, and cannot but agree with their findings.
I you find most of CD players harsh or lacking naturalness or "musicality", but equally are not ready to compromise on detail or soundstage, this might be the answer.
This player has one of the most beautiful midrange I have heard, and a fantastic soundstage and "openess". The rather warm presentation never leaves you frustrated with any lack of details, which is extremely difficult to combine in my experience.
Construction is impressive (brushed metal casework, balanced ouptputs, ...) apart from a curiously slow and rather noisy drawer, and the overall design of the unit is sleek and rather chic in a understated scandinavian way.
The only potential drawback is a relative lack of bite ; if you like your music exciting and full of drive, you might be lacking something there. Mind you the Primare doesn't lack rythm at all, and does do bass all right, but it will always present music in an elegant way. Fans of Metallica may not apply.
Overall terrificly good value, especially S/H. It is one of the very few high end players I can easily live with.
Before that I have auditioned the Meridian 508.24 (good but not outstanding, I was a tad disappointed though I didn't listen to it through its balanced outputs), Theta Miles (very good player with lots of drive yet natural tone, but ultimately too revealing of poor recordings to my taste), Audio Analogue Maestro (latest version, beautiful build and look, but a bit disappointed as it didn't sound totally like a high end player).
I strongly recommand this player bearing in mind the above comments.

Similar Products Used:

Meridian 508.24, SFD1

Having just picked up the ProAc Response 3.8's, I'm in the process of upgrading the associated components to bring out the best. These days it
is difficult for most to bank on any one processing capability or format, but with that said my own belief is that cd recordings, as we have come
to know them, are not going to be obsolete for quite some time. Besides, the collection of 16 bit recordings I currently have warants I have a
player that plays these recordings as best as possible. If that meant a DVD player that acts as a combo DVD/cd transport then so be it. But I
have demoed the top DVD players and IMO they were beat out by the higher end transports and cd players. In my qwest to find the player (or
transport) that comes home with me for good, I came across the PRIMARE (actually an owner who I chat with quite often recommended I take
a listen)----so I listened.

Off the bat you know the unit is at least pretty--very good looking and very solidly built. Let me stress, this unit is a very good looking unit (sorry
I'm a bit shallow).....but not shallow enough to spend $2g's on something that is solely a looker.

As for listening we had the unit mated with Pro Ac 2.5's and a Threshold T200. We did A/B comparisons against another Primare player (the
20) and the Theta Pearl transport. Software consisted of Tracey Chapman, Dave Wenkyl, Chris Cornell, Erykah Badu, Oscar Peterson, Special
EFX and Dave Matthews.

Besides the looks, 3 features I liked immediately were the digital out which gives the ability to use an outboard DAC, thus using the Primare as a
transport, the balanced outputs and the transport itself (uses a Philips 12.2 transport mechanism). One of the features I immediately found
annoying was the extensive time it took for the unit to "read" the disc when first entered into the player.

Listening to the unit made me think "this is great--it's just like when you meet a very good looking women who, after spending some time with
them, is more then just good looking". This unit had a great combination of clarity, transparency, soundstage (was amazing) and detail. It was fun
to listen to a player that had the warmth without losing the detail that I am personally a freak for. It was also nice to find that all things could be
achieved without sacrificing any other. It did something very special to live recordings (the Dave Matthews cd was "Live at Luther College" and
the Oscar Peterson was "Live In Paris"). Both were amazingly reproduced. The detail in the Erykah Badu and the Chris Cornell cd's were
fantastic and the warmth of the Tracey Chapman and Cassandra Wilson cd's were not artificial and did not sacrifice the transparency. All in all,
the PRIMARE hit the nail directly///squarely///definately on the head.

BUT, the bass was slow---damm!!! There was an obvious differrence in the bass between the Theta Pearl and the Primare--even when using
the Primare as a transport only--even after changing the power chord to an NBS and even after changing the cable to a Kimber silver cable. It
was just a bit soft and noticably slower. It was VERY difficult for me to walk out of this dealer without having purchased this unit. But I did it for
3 reasons:
(1) my new speakers have not yet been delivered so I could not enjoy the unit just yet anyway (sold my NHT's already and I'm using old
Whafdale Diamonds ONLY when I must listen to music)

(2) The Theta Jade demo unit this dealer had was sold during the week and I want to A/B this unit against the Jade

3) The dealer was waivering toward bringing the price down to the price that would make me jump ($1600)--if he does it I'm in there.

Overall this really is a great unit and I strongly suggest you take a listen because there is only one cd player (actually transport) that I've heard
that I liked more then this one--- and that is the Proceed cdd (but this unit can only be had for $2500 here in Hong Kong).

I've been in this dealers shop a number of times and when he always told me "listen to the Primare" I would say "no, I don't need some European
designer name brand equipment"---well, the Primare 30.2 is definately more then just a pretty face in the crowd. I give this puppy a 4.5 star rating