Aurorasound never ceases to amaze us! Following the release of its flagship model, the Vida Supreme phono preamplifier, the Japanese manufacturer is now offering an entry-level model with high aspirations: the Vida Prima phono preamplifier!
While this may be the brand’s most affordable model, it embodies all of Aurorasound’s expertise and DNA.
Aurorasound Vida Prima: Chassis
It features the “vintage/modern” look characteristic of Aurorasound’s products.
The aluminum chassis is encased in a wooden shell.
Aurorasound Vida Prima: Front Panel and Rear Panel
The front panel features only a power indicator light and the now-famous “large” mute switch.
On the back of the Vida Prima, you’ll find RCA inputs and outputs, as well as an IEC power connector.
There are also two rotary switches. The first, a two-position switch, allows you to select MM or MC gain—40 or 64 dB. The second, a three-position switch, allows you to select the load: MM (47,000 ohms), very low-impedance MC, and medium-impedance MC. Note that this refers to the cartridge’s internal impedance and not its recommended resistive load; that is, MC cartridges with an internal resistance lower than or higher than 14 ohms.
Using this phono preamplifier has been simplified as much as possible.
Aurorasound Vida Prima: Circuit
The internal RIAA circuit combines NF compensation with a CR-type design. This allows for the reproduction of a nuanced yet full-bodied sound, while minimizing distortion and improving the signal-to-noise ratio.
The components were selected for their performance and musicality: Texas Instruments semiconductors, WIMA film capacitors, Japanese precision resistors…
Aurorasound Vida Prima: Power Supply
This time, the power supply has been housed inside the Vida Prima’s chassis.
It is built around a toroidal transformer, fast diodes, and audiophile-grade filtering capacitors. The RIAA circuit is quite complex and fully optimized to be as transparent and neutral as possible.
Aurorasound Vida Prima: Testing and Listening
We powered it on three days before taking a closer look!
From the very first measurements, we were surprised by the level of analysis and precision. The Vida Prima seems completely free of any coloration. You can hear everything, and everything is in its proper place.
The soundstage is extremely precise, and some instruments truly extend beyond the boundaries of the speaker.
The bass is very articulate and nuanced, emphasizing its physical presence. The upper midrange is very neutral and completely transparent, with a level of detail worthy of much more expensive phono preamps.
With this Vida Prima phono preamplifier, Aurorasound offers a high-performance product that fully embodies its identity and philosophy—and at a price that’s simply mind-blowing!
The real highlight of the new season! The new benchmark!
STEREO-monthly Jan 19 & analog vol.62 winter - “Perfect Listening”
“The remarkable sound quality of this preamp undoubtedly makes it a steal, a bargain, and a revelation. Aurorasound has created an exceptionally neutral piece of equipment capable of outperforming much more expensive models. The Vida Prima is undoubtedly one of the phono preamps that will remain etched in our memory.” Haute Fidélité France - June 2019
AWARDS:
Hi-Fi News - Highly Recommended - 2019
Analog - Grand Prix - 2019
Haute-Fidélité - Best Buy - 2019
Pure Audio VGP - 2020
Audiophile Videophile - Impressive Equipment of the Year - 2019/2020
Audio Video Poland - Editors’ Choice - 2020
Audio Stereoplay - 2024
FAQ: Everything you need to know before buying the Aurorasound Vida Prima phono preamp
Is this preamp compatible with both MM and MC cartridges?
Yes, two rotary selectors on the front let you choose the gain (40 dB for MM, 64 dB for MC) and the matching loading: 47,000 ohms for MM, then two MC positions (very low impedance or medium impedance) depending on whether your cartridge's internal resistance is below or above roughly 14 ohms. Remember to check your MC cartridge's internal resistance to select the right setting. Using this phono preamp has been made as simple as possible. Aurorasound has not finished surprising us.
Which components set this phono preamp apart from more basic models?
The RIAA circuit combines NF compensation with a CR type for a nuanced sound while limiting distortion, with components chosen for their musicality: Texas Instruments semiconductors, WIMA film capacitors and Japanese precision resistors. The power supply, built into the chassis (unlike the more upmarket Vida Supreme), is based on a toroidal transformer and fast diodes. After releasing its flagship, the Vida Supreme phono preamp, the Japanese maker offers an entry-level model with high ambitions: the Vida Prima phono preamp. The upper midrange is very neutral and completely transparent, with a level of insight worthy of far more expensive phono preamps.
What is the design philosophy of the casework?
The Vida Prima adopts the "vintage/modern" look characteristic of Aurorasound: an aluminium enclosure surrounded by a wooden shell. The front panel remains deliberately minimalist, with a simple power indicator and the brand's well-known large mute switch. With this Vida Prima phono preamp, Aurorasound offers a very high-performing product that fully retains its identity and philosophy, at a simply astonishing price. Although it is an affordable model for the brand, it incorporates all of Aurorasound's expertise and DNA.
Has this entry-level model won awards?
Yes, despite its more accessible position in the Aurorasound range, the Vida Prima has received several accolades from the specialist press: Highly Recommended at Hi-Fi News (2019), Grand Prix Analog (2019), Meilleur Achat Haute-Fidélité (2019), as well as VGP and Stereoplay selections in the following years. The components were chosen for their performance and musicality: Texas Instruments semiconductor, WIMA film capacitors, Japanese precision resistor, and so on. This time the power supply has been placed inside the Vida Prima's enclosure. It carries the "vintage/modern" look of Aurorasound's products.
Franck
Customer reviews
la redécouverte de l'écoute
J'ai acheté ce préamplificateur phono il y a un peu plus d'une année. Je l'ai associé à un ampli Moonriveraudio 404 et à une platine Rowen. C'est peu de dire que j'ai redécouvert mes vinyles ! On entend tout, c'est simplement splendide. Mon seul problème est que j'habite dans un appartement et je ne peux donc pas exploiter la puissance de ce combo Vida Prima / Moonriveraudio. Mais, et c'est ce qui est aussi étonnant, on entend tout également à très bas volume. Si vous ajoutez un look superbe et un prix très compétitif, je ne peux que recommander le Vida Prima.
Génial !
J'ai acheté ce préampli pour me permettre l'utilisation d'une cellule MC achetée simultanément. Mais avant d'installer la MC sur ma platine, une EAT C Sharp, j'ai décidé d'essayer le préampli avec la cellule MM actuelle, une AudioTechnica VM750SH.
Quelle claque ! Après une heure de fonctionnement en musique de fond et étonné d'entendre des détails que je n'avais pas aussi bien perçus avant, j'ai connecté le préampli directement sur mon ampli casque, un Talisman Audio T35HP alimentant un MEZE Empyrean. Je pensais faire un essai sur une face de 33tr , j'y suis resté 6h, grisé par la redécouverte de mes disques dans lesquels je plongeais littéralement.
Quelque soit le genre écouté Rock, Jazz, classique, opéra tout était plus réel, plus vivant, plus présent !
Je regrette de ne pas avoir fait cet investissement plus tôt.
Pré amplification
Extraordinaire, merci beaucoup
SUPERBE !
Très bon produit testé avec rega planar 3 , Sansui SR 525 , ampli Sansui AU 555 , AU 999 , enceintes Yamaha NS 590 / 645
Je dirais qu’il y a du bon et du moins bon , tout dépend du pressage , soit les aigus sont plus incisifs et on perd un poil un bas du spectre ou l’équilibre est bien là , en tout cas , ce produits révèle des détails jusque là inconnu , j’en suis très très satisfait
Ps : les petits pieds en plastic par contre , bof bof