North Star M192 DAC&Transport vs. Audio Aero Prima MKII 24/192

[Blackmore]

From every possible review or posts I could find, regarding these two, I think more getting Prima CDP. Seems that M192 having a bit to smooth/laid back kind of sound, which isn't that ideal for music like TRANCE&ROCK, while Prima, even with smooth touch, keeps the dynamics&energy very well. The most 3 genres I listen to it are: JAZZ, ROCK & TRANCE/CLUB, sometimes AMBIENT/LOUNGE

About the rest, sonically I mean, they seems to be very close to each other, but once again, from info I could find. About the costs, M192 cost more than Prima, but that's understandable.

THX

[luvdunhill]

have you actually listened to either?

[Blackmore]

No, but it is possible, however to do so I have to travel, which isn't ideal. Plus I need to take the whole rig with me, cos listen them through speakers isn't the same as through headphones.

I am trying to short my CDP list to minimum, get all info I can and then go for one. Of course I would listen, before buy one, if possible.

[tkam]

It's been quite awhile since I've heard the original M192 and while it's smooth I certainly wouldn't call it laid back. Also the new M192 MKII is not laid back at all, it has a forward/aggressive sound to it. The MKII is quite a bit more resolving then the original as well.

[Blackmore]

Are we talking about DAC only or the combo?

[aardvark baguette]

how can an instruction manual be "big sounding" ? pffft.

[Duggeh]

how can an instruction manual be "big sounding" ? pffft.

Drop a Falcon 4.0 manual on the floor.

[The Monkey]

I wouldn't call the m192 MKII laid back. Rather, I would call it musical. I agree that it has a somewhat forward presentation, but it doesn't have the top end splash that the DAC1 has. But despite the musicality (is that a word?), it is not forgiving and will expose poor recordings. In other words, I agree with tkam about the resolution. Finally, the m192 has a spacious, airy soundstage that contributes to what might be mistaken as being laid back.

[CD44hi]

I would not call it aggressive either. It has a very nice balance. I mentioned this before, compared to the Burmester 006, it lacks extension on both fronts but in terms of soundstaging (music presentation, layering, 3D, etc) it was no slouch! I have never heard the mkI.

[The Monkey]

the Mk II has to be pretty different from the Mk 1 to be mistaken for laid back.

I think it's laid back compared to the DAC1.

[Blackmore]

I would like to correct myself. Laid back wasnt the right word, well, I guess it wasnt.

Like I wrote in my first post, ROCK and TRANCE records, how would M192 do with it. I listen to Deep Purple, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Rainbow and some others...Not all records are well recorded and my NAD do not shadow anything, just bad in bad out anyway.

There is no doubt that NorthStar are great DAC/Transport, but I do not see any Audio Aero Prima MkII comparison so far. And I do no see the Prima that much/often on sale than M192/T192, at least up here in Holland, o.k.

I am looking for an good all rounder, which will keep me going for some years, thats all, budget EUR 1000 TOP!

Right now I can buy M192+T192 for EUR 1250, or, if I am lucky, even less than that, but Prima for EUR 800.

I do have some other option, like Marantz C12/DA12 which I am not going pay more than EUR 1000 ( seller ask for more ). The condition is like NEW.

But once again, from all I possibly could read about M192/T192 and Prima MkII, they do come pretty close to each other. So, if thats the case, I would buy Prima instead of NS.

And Marantz, I am planning to see my friend soon, who happened to have one, so, will try it with my rig and find out what ever I like it or not.

Thanks to all of you:cool:

[Blackmore]

I have read that Prima is 75% of Capitole, so can you write something about it please, compare to NS.

THX

i think you'd be very happy with the North Star, at least the Mk I, which is the one i've. it's a good all arounder, and has really solid bass. i haven't heard the Prima, only the Capitole.

[Blackmore]

Well, you could give some general lines of your direct NS vs. Capitole thoughts, isnt?

If I am look at Audiogon, Prima MKII, used, goes for USD 1500, which is a lot of money, imo, while Capitole around USD 3500. North Star have the high re-sale value as well, at least in U.S. I know, all that because of import from Europe and some other things, but still...

Also Prima have two different transports, one from Sony and another form Philips, which seems to be way better.

But forget all that above, sonics, thats what I am after, especially in my rig.

THX

the idea of the Prima being whatever percentage of the Capitole is so subjective as to be meaningless. i'm not going to touch that with a ten foot pole.