Primare CD35

Manel Segarra
21 hours ago
4 min read

Some say that the physical CD format is dying and has no future. In my CD player reviews, I always provide the same argument: as long as there are hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts who own millions of CDs, good players will still be needed to play them.

Some say that the physical CD format is dying and has no future. In my CD player reviews, I always provide the same argument: as long as there are hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts who own millions of CDs, good players will still be needed to play them.

The reputable Scandinavian brand PRIMARE aims to offer a device with a "definitive" vocation, both for its quality level and its modular capacity that allows it to grow and integrate wirelessly with other components of the brand. In this case, we are going to analyze the CD35 in its simple version as a mere compact disc player. In my opinion, and given the category of the product, I favor this version without additions. I understand that a potential owner would prefer to maintain the purism of the CD35 by avoiding overloading the unit with more electronics. However, in any case, the customer chooses whether or not they want integration with streamer functionalities, Chromecast, Airplay, and so on.

First of all, the weight and solidity of the unit stand out during unboxing. It is truly large due to its depth, and that unusual weight for a CD player is well distributed. The design is clean and careful. The unit is very well finished when viewed from every possible angle. The aesthetic has a well understood purist audiophile air that I am sure will stand the test of time perfectly. The CD35 is an evolution of the acclaimed CD30, though it is not a simple update but rather the meticulous development of a product designed to satisfy the most demanding user. Two elements are worth highlighting. One is the TEAC origin mechanism. During testing, I can confirm that the tray operates with a poise that transmits a great sense of quality and durability.

The other element is the completely new DAC stage that uses a 32 bit, eight channel ESS Sabre ES9028PRO chipset. On the other hand, as expected from a device with a definitive vocation, it has all the necessary outputs including balanced XLR. Obviously, my recommendation is not to use the optical and coaxial outputs and instead take advantage of the internal DAC. In my case, I used both the RCA outputs with a headphone amplifier and the XLR for my main system. The remote control also deserves positive mention for its solid feel and ease of use with all types of functions. It is true that I would have preferred a metal remote with a bit more glamour, but this one is more practical and discreet. Furthermore, direct manipulation of the minimalist keys on the front of the CD35 transmits security and a strong sense of quality. It is nothing like the cumbersome touch buttons that some brands insist on including. Up to this point, and without even mentioning its actual sound performance, I can say that, in general, the CD35 is a device that appears to justify its high cost through its appearance and construction.

After a few days of acclimation (the unit arrived very cold), we began testing with a Tracy Chapman compilation CD, "Greatest Hits" (2015). This is an album with eighteen very well selected tracks. The songs are remastered in a non intrusive way and with great success. It seems that only a subtle dynamic optimization and a plus in cleanliness have been applied to Chapman's already neat recordings. It comes with song lyrics and I consider it a good purchase even if you already own the original albums. Before continuing, I should note that for this bench test, I enjoyed using Audio Technica ADX7000 headphones as well as Amphion ARGON 3X monitors. Both products proved essential to appreciate the level of excellence of the PRIMARE and demonstrated a perfect synergy with the CD player. Therefore, I will present my impressions regardless of whether I am listening through headphones or speakers.

The PRIMARE launches with the track "Baby Can I Hold You." It is a rewarding song to reproduce, especially in this remastered version. Still, the player surprises with its surgical precision as it adds the different instruments that join in. The bass, present in the opening bars, can only be described as "round." The drum cymbals are clearly separated. And Chapman's unmistakable voice is organic and real. Above all, a plus in dynamics stands out which, when compared to the same song via streaming, is clearly perceptible.

We continue with "Verdades Ocultas y Medias Mentiras" (2007) by the virtuoso Catalan guitarist Pedro Javier González. Although he has few albums as a lead artist, his guitar is present on records by Joan Manuel Serrat, Alejandro Sanz, Manolo García, or El Último de la Fila. The second song, "Camino del Mar," has an impeccable sound capture where the Spanish guitar evolves with great expressiveness. The CD35 manages to capture all the harmonic richness of every note. At the 2:20 minute mark, some background whispers are clearly appreciated with separation, which have gone unnoticed by me on other systems. The PRIMARE is incredibly precise. It is true that, at first glance, it stands out for its analytical capacity, but as we move on to more flamenco tracks like "Medias Mentiras," we realize that its exact timbral fidelity and its ease in reconstructing the scene transport us to the recording studio. Consequently, it also provides that emotional part that every musical piece should transmit.

In the rest of the tests I continued to perform over two weeks, the PRIMARE CD35 confirmed its virtues by proving that not all sources sound the same. It is important to understand that the great strength of this device is that, besides being able to extract every nuance of the recording with finesse, it transforms that digital information contained on the CD into a dynamic, organic, and very realistic sound. I do not observe any "digital harshness." In that sense, I can say that I have performed tests combining it with tube preamplifiers with good results, but they are by no means necessary to "tame" the CD35. On the contrary, the PRIMARE shone brightest when paired with 100% transistor amplification. In conclusion, I can say that we are looking at a product that, to describe it in a few words, I would call "absolutely definitive."

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