Primare SC15 Mk2 streamer, DAC and preamplifier
A few months ago I received a pair of Phonar Match Air WiSA-enabled wireless speakers to review and, on realising that the the supplied streaming units were holding back sound quality, I asked for a Primare SC15 Mk2, purely with the aim of achieving a better sound from the speakers. It did such a good job that I asked to hang on to it to write a full review. Unfortunately, the distributor Karma AV needed it back in a hurry and I didn’t get a chance to finish my assessments.
So, what is the SC15 Mk2? It’s essentially a very well-appointed streamer, with a WiSA module (having extremely low latency) for connecting to wireless speakers, plus wireless and wired Ethernet connections, an internal DAC with several digital inputs, user controllable EQ and low-frequency room correction. There’s also a stereo line-level analogue input and output, plus up/down volume buttons for full preamp functionality and multi-room capability plus Roon control all rolled into one. I like to listen to vinyl, so having an analogue line input on a streaming control unit is a definite plus, as it covers virtually all options.
Like its stable-mates, the SC15 Mk2 is a very neat, understated piece of Scandinavian design – lower slung and narrower than most. It may be partnered with one of their power amplifiers and maybe a Primare CD player, to make a compact and stylish system which would not look out of place in either a modern or traditionally-appointed home.
However, it’s not all about style. I found Primare’s attention to audio design encouraging. For instance, Primare utilizes relays for input switching, for better isolation and sound than found in more conventional CMOS (complementary metal oxide–semiconductor) switches. Also, they rejected the inexpensive option of digital volume control, which can cause loss of resolution at low settings (and loss of overall clarity), unless done exceptionally well. Instead they chose a digitally-controlled 2 x 4 channel analogue volume control IC operated in balanced mode, ‘for optimal channel balance and low-level listening level performance’. In addition, they’ve paid attention to the design of the switched-mode power supply, for low noise, and utilised simple circuits, short signal paths, optimised printed circuit design and surface mount, or eyelet-through-hole mounting for larger components, in pursuit of better sound quality.
The internal DAC is an ESS ES9028Q2M Sabre Reference chip, using their 32-bit Hyper Stream DAC architecture and time-domain jitter eliminator, handling up to 32-bit 384kHz PCM and DSD 256 data. This chip replaces the AKM Velvet sound chip used in the Mk1 which became extinct after a fire at AKM’s factory.
I’d previously only used the SC15 Mk2 to stream via my wireless internet connection and high-resolution internal WiSA module, directly to the WiSA module and DAC in the speakers, which provided an excellent sound – far better than the basic boxes supplied. This time, I wanted to use it via its digital and analogue inputs into a more conventional analogue system comprising passive speakers and a power amplifier, namely, my resident Creek Destiny integrated (used as a power amp) and Kudos Cardea 20 Super loudspeakers.
Initially, I had problems connecting it to the wireless network using the Google Home app, as guided by the very clear instruction sheet included in the box (which was strange, because it worked fine first time around). However, eventually, it allowed connection via the hardwired ethernet link. This enabled me to stream Karma’s saved Qobuz choices, which I enjoyed listening to alongside my own favourites from the same streaming service.
At first, I wondered why it sounded odd and realised that digital EQ and room correction had been applied for previous demonstrations, which were of course unsuitable for my room. So, I disabled both and it sounded much better. Later on I tried using some subtle shelf filtering just to see how effective it could be, and whether the additional digital processing might cause sonic deterioration. I found the effect quite benign, merely altering the tonal balance. It is also possible to calibrate the room using a microphone or phone and apply digital EQ to flatten the in-room response up to about 500Hz.
Listening impressions
I started using the SC15 Mk2 with Qobuz, streaming a few of distributor Karma-AV’s favourites including the Allegretto from Shostakovich’s Symphony No 5 Op 47 (192kHz 24 bit), by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, conductor Manfred Honeck (Reference Recordings). This created a real sense of occasion, with life, depth and spaciousness alongside a fine sense of dynamics. Likewise, with Beethoven’s Piano Trios, played by Daniel Barenboim, Michael Barenboim and Kian Soltani. In the Trio No. 1 in E flat minor Opus 1 (Allegretto), the piano had clarity and richness, while the cello was fresh and vibrant. Beethoven’s Symphony No 2 in D major Op 36 (live) with Robert Trevino conducting the Malmo Symphony Orchestra (96kHz, 24 bit), again demonstrated the drive, clarity and openness of this unit’s streaming delivery.
Out of curiosity, while streaming, I connected the Primare’s coax output to my Burson Conductor DAC to assess the quality of the internal DAC and output stage. This lifted the sound quality, providing a more open soundstage, and a greater sense of dynamics and clarity, coupled with improved instrumental tonality and smoother, more subtle string tone. This is not meant as a criticism of the Primare, but confirmation that it’s streaming section is really rather good. (bear in mind that the Burson DAC beats most of the DACs I compare it too, even those costing several times more than the Primare, and often beats the DACs in more expensive streamers).
By way of a change, I played tracks from a few CDs via the SC15 Mk2, including Stacey Kent‘s Postcard Lovers and Dave Brubeck’s Take 5 from Time Out, outputting digitally from my re-clocked Teac VRDS-10SE, into the Primare’s SPDIF input and playing, as before, from the analogue outputs, which gave results comparable to those heard when streaming, indicating good jitter control via the SPDIF input. The optical Toslink input also provided fine results from the TV/Sky box with recorded BBC concerts.
Then I played files from a USB storage device plugged it into my laptop, using the Primare as a USB DAC and selecting files at the keyboard. For instance, OMD’s Joan of Arc from Architecture and Morality (44.1kHz 16 bit), highlighting this track’s reverb-generated spaciousness and synth-based tonality. This was followed by Lang Lang in Paris, revealing the clarity and vibrancy of his piano, and Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring conducted by Antal Dorati, during which the eerily sinister first movement filled the room with a real sense of menace from the orchestra. These were some very fine sounds, at least as good, or better than that via streaming, indicating a very capable USB input.
I also played vinyl from the Avid Sequel SP turntable with Umami Blue MC cartridge, boosted by my Cyrus Signature phono stage, into the SC15 Mk2’s line-level analogue stereo input and outputting from the analogue sockets. It sounded pretty darned good, delivering a fine sense of clarity and neutrality and was at least as good as via the Burson’s stepped-resistor volume pot and output module. So, the Primare’s volume control chip and output stage were obviously working really well. I played a few records with great results, for example Gregory Porter’s Liquid Spirit, which beautifully portrayed Gregory’s rich velvety voice, and the third movement from Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto number 2 played by Sviatoslav Richter (Symphony Orchestra of the National Philharmonic, Warsaw, conductor Stanislaw Wislocki) revealing the scintillating clarity of his piano, to name just two. So top marks to Primare for their analogue circuitry and the volume potentiometer they chose.
Rounding up
Overall, the Primare SC15 Mk2 is musically satisfying, with a fresh energetic, dynamic and well-timed presentation playing either digital or analogue sources. I’d describe the sound quality as well paced and lively, with a fine sense of clarity and rhythm.
The Primare SC15 Mk2 is all one would need for a digital and analogue hub for use with conventional analogue amps and passive speakers, active speakers, WiSA enabled active speakers, or analogue speakers at this entry-level price point. It offers the benefits of multi-room functionality, digital EQ and room correction thrown in for good measure, providing a wide range of inputs. It does not have a dedicated phono input, but that is easily dealt with by an external phono stage, and the line-level input and analogue circuits are clearly excellent. The network player and WiSA module are also capable of superb results with suitable WiSA speakers. The internal DAC is as good as can be expected at this level and relatively neutral.
While listening, I’d assumed it was priced at about £2,500, but realised it’s only £1,800. That’s a lot of functionality and an enjoyable performance in a neat package at a competitive price.