Wow 496,
Sorry it's taken me so long to respond. I don't do audiospeak very well, but here goes:
The Prima is not far off the Capitole, and IMO does not justify the price difference. However, it's like comparing the Western Electric 300B tubes to any of the current production of any other brand. You can pay 4X the price for the Western Electric, and many people (myself included) will say that if you have the $$$, that additional 10 or 20% (if you can quantify it as such) is worth it. I found the same to be true of NOS 2A3 tubes when compared to the excellent Sovtek's made today. And I would say the same about the Capitole. On the used market, they are maybe $4000, and if I had the money I would own one. For now, I own a Prima, and I can tell you that it is a significant step up from the Jolida.
The Capitole seemed to me to dig a little deeper to resolve everything with a bit more roundedness than the Prima. It offers a better placement of the instruments, although the Prima does it quite well. I should also say that I heard the two players in the store, but only the Prima here at home. And we have the worst room for listening.
The Capitole has the remarkable ability to toe the line between detail/accuracy and seducing you with liquid warmth. I simply could find nothing I would change about the player, as it presented the energy and humanity of the players in a way I've not otherwise heard.
Several other persons who own both players have told me that the differences are more pronounced when using each without a preamp, and that the Capitole is significantly better than the Prima in that regard. Both of them suggested, however, that when used solely as a player, the gap is narrowed. And I would agree, though as I said, if I had the money for the Capitole...
Finally, I will say that the Prima is one fantastic player. I have reached the point that I'm done with sitting in front of the stereo and picking apart every aspect of a component. I played music professionally for years, and love music for music's sake. This micro-analysis of the component can be altered if the air pressure changes, or if I have not eaten that day. I love the uncolored sound of the recording studio, which is why I lean towards the Audio Aero and not the Audio Note, for example, which I believe is the best at reproducing the music with perfection. However, I want the best reproduction of the performance, and not just the music, if that makes sense.
With that in mind, all I can say is that the Prima gets me lost in the music. When I sit and pick apart the system, it's like any relationship for me. It stops being fun, and I'm the observer at a distance. And I would rather be a player IN the game, so to speak. As Chet Baker might have said when turning on my audio system, Let's Get Lost.
Howard
Sorry it's taken me so long to respond. I don't do audiospeak very well, but here goes:
The Prima is not far off the Capitole, and IMO does not justify the price difference. However, it's like comparing the Western Electric 300B tubes to any of the current production of any other brand. You can pay 4X the price for the Western Electric, and many people (myself included) will say that if you have the $$$, that additional 10 or 20% (if you can quantify it as such) is worth it. I found the same to be true of NOS 2A3 tubes when compared to the excellent Sovtek's made today. And I would say the same about the Capitole. On the used market, they are maybe $4000, and if I had the money I would own one. For now, I own a Prima, and I can tell you that it is a significant step up from the Jolida.
The Capitole seemed to me to dig a little deeper to resolve everything with a bit more roundedness than the Prima. It offers a better placement of the instruments, although the Prima does it quite well. I should also say that I heard the two players in the store, but only the Prima here at home. And we have the worst room for listening.
The Capitole has the remarkable ability to toe the line between detail/accuracy and seducing you with liquid warmth. I simply could find nothing I would change about the player, as it presented the energy and humanity of the players in a way I've not otherwise heard.
Several other persons who own both players have told me that the differences are more pronounced when using each without a preamp, and that the Capitole is significantly better than the Prima in that regard. Both of them suggested, however, that when used solely as a player, the gap is narrowed. And I would agree, though as I said, if I had the money for the Capitole...
Finally, I will say that the Prima is one fantastic player. I have reached the point that I'm done with sitting in front of the stereo and picking apart every aspect of a component. I played music professionally for years, and love music for music's sake. This micro-analysis of the component can be altered if the air pressure changes, or if I have not eaten that day. I love the uncolored sound of the recording studio, which is why I lean towards the Audio Aero and not the Audio Note, for example, which I believe is the best at reproducing the music with perfection. However, I want the best reproduction of the performance, and not just the music, if that makes sense.
With that in mind, all I can say is that the Prima gets me lost in the music. When I sit and pick apart the system, it's like any relationship for me. It stops being fun, and I'm the observer at a distance. And I would rather be a player IN the game, so to speak. As Chet Baker might have said when turning on my audio system, Let's Get Lost.
Howard