During the break in period, the player becomes more relaxed. More transparent, yes, and better rendering of attack and decay, and better dynamics. Really most of the break in is accomplished during the first 700 hours or so.

Kind regards,
-neli

Not sure what “SE” of the current Prestige SACD means as there is no information about SE version in Audio Aero’s website. Does it stand for “Special Edition” or “Signature Edition”?

I have seen one strange version at a local shop. Surprisingly, there is no any words or marks printed on the unit itself saying that it is a Prestige SACD player. There is a small silver coloured metal plate fixed on the disc drawer at the front and “Signature Edition” is printed on that metal plate. When the player is switched on, there are words appeared in the display panel saying it is a Prestige SACD player.

Is the one I have seen a Prestige SE player. If so, does it use Philips or Sony transport? The local dealer is unable to answer my query as it does not have Prestige.

Regards,
Hififan

All the Prestiges, at least all the North American ones, have what were called the SE modifications on the Capitole Mk II done at the factory. This is also true for the Capitole Reference. So they are all SE …

And .. to answer Russell’s questions regarding managing multiple volume controls — you’ll really have to play with it, since I don’t have any experience with the CJ preamps. The Prestige at -25 ish is not a bad choice.

Regarding phono stages — we really love the Lamm LP2 Deluxe. World class piece, lovely sound, you can spend more but .. why?

Best regards,
-neli

Is there a particular range of volume settings that produces the best output from the Prestige? I’ve been running it around -25 or so most of the time since I attached the CJ2 pre-amp. I’m trying to get a good range that reduces noise and maximizes accuracy. I want to hear the sound as it was recorded with as much detail as is listenable.

I guess that I have the same question about the CJ2. I’m keeping it around 40 or 50 (unity gain is 66 I believe.)

I’m driving a pair of AvantGarde Duo’s (upgraded). Any recommendations for my next monoblocks? or my next phono stage?

Thanks and best regards,

russell

Yes, do try it with the HRS base, and try to use their Nimbus Couplers with it - getting the player off its feet and channelling vibration directly from the chassis to the M3 is about 33%? better than just on the HRS M3 on the black diamond racing cone feet.

The build in pre-amp in the Prestige is very good, and it hard to beat even with many of the ‘expensive’ pre amps out there. But in the right circumstances, and with the right preamp, it can be bettered [as you can hear].

The pre inside the $14K [or so] Prestige is, well, us owners aren’t paying more than about, say, $3K to $5K for it. It has an advantage that it doesn’t require any cables or extra vibration control or power cord and rack space etc. So to get a pre that sounds better and set it up would cost, easily, $10 - $15K+. This is one of the reasons we are so gung-ho about the Prestige and Capitole players.

As to technical reasons why it sounds so much better [for those of you who aren’t owners, the pre in the Prestige is not defeatable, you set the volume at -7, unity gain, but the pre is still in the loop] sometimes, we can talk impedance, and higher quality components etc. But it is really system dependent. With just the change of speakers[!], we have heard the Prestige running into the Lamm L2 Reference go from a ‘taste and flavor’ thing to OMG [I exaggerate a little,… but not much].

Thanks!,
Mike.

I just purchased a Conrad Johnson ART2 and I was surprised to learn that it improved the sound of the Prestige! In comparison to the Prestige connected directly to my Art Audio PX25 monos or placing my ModWright LS 36.5 in between, it seemed to shine with the CJ and come surprisingly close to the vinyl.

I had been under the impression that the Prestige sounded better without a pre-amp, not surprisingly, but in fact it sounds best with the CJ. Could this be because the Prestige alone doesn’t drive the amps sufficiently to get the detail and because other pre-amps like the MW are not as transparent (quick, accurate) as the CJ?

I haven’t yet done extensive testing, but I have to admit that what I have heard thus far has shocked and impressed me. With the CJ I now have much of the airiness, the presence and the detail that I was missing from the CD’s I tested. Does this make sense to you? Can it be explained electronically?

Excellent!

Please keep us updated, if you get a chance, and let us know what your impressions are of the differences in sound between your new Prestige and your previous one… especially after it has burnt in.

Thanks,
Mike.

Yesterday i received my AA Prestige SE with a brand new transport.

So far so good !

no clicks - errors etc.

The software is updated to - my version is 2.4.74

Cheers, Henrik Haas