Resolution Audio Opus 21 VS Consonance Droplet

Nice response Boa2, I'll accept that.

It appears you are considering the Resolution Audio and Consonance players because you can run directly to your monoblocks. Is this correct?

If so, and at the risk of beating the Modwright horse to a bloody and dead corpse, Modwright does offer a direct-to-amp option on the Modwright Sony 9000ES DVD player. This particular Sony does not play CD-R discs, however.

I believe member "2bigears" is running a Resolution Audio Opus 21 direct to a VAC 30/30 amplifier, which is driving Zu Audio Definition loudspeakers. While your systems are not the same, their concepts are similar. You might contact "2bigears" and ask him for some input.

Tickfight/Tvad, Grant was right, I was joking, hence the wink ;-). I've 'chatted' quite a bit with Grant over the years, and I know he is no shill. I just attempted a bit of humour seeing the same reco twice tonight from Grant, but it was just in fun. No ill will intended.

I've recommended certain items more than once myself. :-)

As for the question, between these two players, for dynamics, large orchestra, etc, I'd say the Droplet would give Tickfight more of what he's looking for. The RA Opus 21 is a very nice, smooth liquid sounding player, but can sound rather polite and refined. Not exactly dynamic, the Opus 21 is more recommended for vocals and small jazz quartets, IMHO.

Since I see Tickfight already has the Droplet in his system, I'm inclined to ask what he thinks he's missing.
Tickfight, what about the Droplet leaves you yearning for more? Not dynamic enough?
You have to be careful what you wish for, because there are always trade-offs. You may find a more dynamic unit, only to discover later that it's more grainy in the high's.

I'll agree with Howard (Boa2) here, you won't find anything that will be an improvement for ~ $2K. You may take a step sideways, but I don't think you can do much better than the Droplet for under $2K. I also concur that trying silver cables or power cords may add the dynamics that you seek.

Cheers,

John

I heard the Consonance Droplet with a Rogue Zeus amp driving Zu Definitions, and the dynamics were oustanding. The music sounded live. I have to believe the DB-99 are equal to the Zu Definitions in dynamics. I could be wrong...

So perhaps the issue is the Consonance Cyber 211 monos. Member "Tbg" onced these and used them with horns. He recently sold them and is now using a LSA/Exemplar Statement integrated amplifier. You might contact "Tbg" and ask him for his impressions of the Cyber 211. He has a great deal of listening experience and is an exacting audiophile.

Have you considered a tube preamp? A friend and fellow Audiogon member swore by the Resolution Audio Opus 21 straight into his amps, but was missing dynamics like you. He solved this problem with a tube preamp and has never turned back. You could maybe demo one in your system just for experiment sake.
Enjoy!