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Cary SLi-80

Posted by Alex F. (A) on November 7, 2017 at 15:45:23

In Reply to: RE: Powering a tube amp without speakers posted by AbeCollins on November 6, 2017 at 19:40:47:

I purchased the SLI-80 Signature directly from Cary about a month ago. I did not like the sonics with the stock Electro-Harmonix tubes--not smooth and a bit harsh and too elevated in the upper midrange and treble.

I substituted NOS tubes (RCA, GE, and National) but kept the EH KT88s. The sound smoothed out nicely and micro details emerged. But it was still too bright. Mullard reissue EL34 power tubes removed the brightness and the amp sounded terrific. But at least one defective Mullard in the matched quad set caused the Cary's chassis to vibrate.

With approval from Cary, I ordered a matched set of Tung-Sol KT120s (from Upscale Audio). They arrived during the weekend and were installed and biased. My initial impression is relatively positive. Not surprisingly the sonics keep changing. At present, vocals are very sibilant on "s" words. The KT120s obviously need several days of burn-in time. I will withhold judgment until a later date.

Are sibilants a problem with the KT120s in your Rogue?

With the Mullards, though, I was very impressed with the sonics. Wonderfully smooth, detailed, dynamic, and tonally and harmonically gorgeous. I will likely try EL34s again in the future.

Once I get the Cary sorted out, my 15-year-old McIntosh MA6500 integrated amp, the best solid-state amp I have ever heard, probably won't be seeing much use. A few weeks ago the McIntosh easily outperformed, in my music room, a new Conrad-Johnson CA150 solid-state integrated amp, among others I auditioned and returned to dealers.

Compared with the C-J, the McIntosh is much smoother, has a far wider and deeper soundstage, is tonally and harmonically richer, and more musical and enjoyable to listen to, and it is dead quiet, even at full gain (the C-J hums and hisses at slightly above playing level). It was my second Conrad-Johnson CA150--the first one emitted smoke immediately upon being plugged in. Luckily my speakers were not damaged.

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