New Preamp Search is Back On

[Jack in Wilmington]

Well the guest bathroom is finished, so the preamp search is on. I have my eye on a Cary SLP-03 and have made on offer. Also looked at a BAT, CJ and Modwright. Cary had everything that I was looking for and the price was in my budget ($3000 max). Hopefully I'll get as lucky as Blackraven and Mr. P have with their recent purchases.

Offer has been excepted.

[Jack in Wilmington]

try shopping at amazon.com

<img src="http://www.bediro.com/images/4/w1.png" />

They don't sell this component.

[bluetrain]

Jack, what makes you buy that particular pre? Just curious.

[Jack in Wilmington]

Jack, what makes you buy that particular pre? Just curious.

It had the features that I was looking for like balanced connections, remote control, warm presentation. The balanced dual mono circuitry is a nice touch in a preamp in this price range.

It has a nice clean design and a silver face plate, which I prefer.

[bluetrain]

It had the features that I was looking for like balanced connections, remote control, warm presentation. The balanced dual mono circuitry is a nice touch in a preamp in this price range.

It has a nice clean design and a silver face plate, which I prefer.

Thanks, Jack. I thought it was a blind purchase, that's why I ask.

[Jack in Wilmington]

Thanks, Jack. I thought it was a blind purchase, that's why I ask.

It is blind in the sense that I haven't heard it. I'm going on reviews and the Cary name. I figure I can flip it if it doesn't have the warmth and transparency that I'm looking for.

[blackraven]

Congrats Jack! I considered that preamp as well. I think it will be a winner.

[Jack in Wilmington]

Congrats Jack! I considered that preamp as well. I think it will be a winner.

Thanks BR. Looking forward to an increased warmth and transparency. Tube rolling is highly recommended by some of the reviews, so I'm sure some will be in the future. Where do you get your tubes? Are you still holding on to the X-1? The guy I bought my Acoustic Zen XLR's from on Sunday has one and is using it with an ARC tube amp. I thought that was interesting that he was using an ARC tube amp and a SS preamp.

[blackraven]

Thanks BR. Looking forward to an increased warmth and transparency. Tube rolling is highly recommended by some of the reviews, so I'm sure some will be in the future. Where do you get your tubes? Are you still holding on to the X-1? The guy I bought my Acoustic Zen XLR's from on Sunday has one and is using it with an ARC tube amp. I thought that was interesting that he was using an ARC tube amp and a SS preamp.


I buy my tubes from various places but I found that TC Tubes here in St Paul are the most honest people for NOS tubes. You get what you pay for with them. I have bought NOS tubes from other on line store and some where not as advertised, meaning they tested much worse than they claimed. I have met the couple that runs TC tubes. They are a young couple and very honest and trust worthy.

TC Tubes - specializing in vintage vacuum tubes (http://tctubes.com/)


I still have my Pass X1. I have it listed on the Audio Circles forum and have had about 700 hits but no takers. I have it listed for $2150/OBO.

I really like the sound of the X1 but the mid range of the BAT is to die for. I bet the guy that is using the X1 with his ARC likes the air, transparency and bass slam of the X1. The X1 is better than the BAT is those aspects.

[Feanor]

I really like the sound of the X1 but the mid range of the BAT is to die for. I bet the guy that is using the X1 with his ARC likes the air, transparency and bass slam of the X1. The X1 is better than the BAT is those aspects.
At one point you said that the BAT had more detail, or is that different from transparency?

[Mr Peabody]

If the Cary ends up being the one it will be interesting to see how it sounds and synergy with your Pass.How do you like the Acoustic Zen?

[Jack in Wilmington]

If the Cary ends up being the one it will be interesting to see how it sounds and synergy with your Pass.How do you like the Acoustic Zen?

It will be interesting. Us Pass owners, have tried our share of preamps. Blackraven has tried VA, Pass and BAT. Did you try CJ before your XP-10, I can't remember? Bill has ARC, Harley has Nuforce. We've run through some preamp, but our choice of Pass has never wavered. That says something.

I picked up my first pair of Acoustic Zen's back in Dec. when I got my X150.5 and decided to run my DAC into my Anthem using the balanced connections. I liked them so much, that I knew I had to get a second pair. Now I will be able to run my Cary into the X150.5 using the balanced connections also. The one review I read said to use good cables and you will be rewarded with the Cary.

[Mr Peabody]

I did use the CJ CT-6 for a while before getting the XP10. I really don't remember particulars, it was good, I like the XP10 better and I wanted to go XLR, plus I feel better synergy is with matching amp and preamp.

Quality cables can really improve your system.

[blackraven]

At one point you said that the BAT had more detail, or is that different from transparency?

The BAT has more detail. I equate transparency with air. The BAT has good transparency and air but not to the extent of the X1. The X1 has a lighter sound, the BAT is meatier, more textured and has more detail, resolution and more space between the instruments if that makes sense. The front to back depth was not as good with the X1. The BAT sounds more like real music.

[Feanor]

The BAT has more detail. I equate transparency with air. The BAT has good transparency and air but not to the extent of the X1. The X1 has a lighter sound, the BAT is meatier, more textured and has more detail, resolution and more space between the instruments if that makes sense. The front to back depth was not as good with the X1. The BAT sounds more like real music.

OK. Terminology is a bear, but I think we mostly agree. Detail and resolution are more or less synonymous to me. "Air" to me refers to clear separation of instruments & voices and their definition as images in space. To me, though, transparency requires both resolution and air, and I don't think you can have good air without air without at least very good resolution.

To listeners less experienced than ourselves, an "etched" sound can be mistaken for detail but it's not; it's an artifact of distortion.)

I suspect, (but don't adamantly insist), that tubes can sometimes insinuate a sense of depth which is really an artifact.

[Jack in Wilmington]

Well I decided to list my Anthem 225 integrated on Audiogon yesterday and get the ball moving as the Cary will be here on Friday. I woke up this morning and I had a guy who was interested and wanting to know the shipping costs. I checked on UPS's website and gave him the total price and he was satisfied. He put the money in my Paypal account and I'm packing it up now. What can I buy now? Ummm.

[Hyfi]

well i decided to list my anthem 225 integrated on audiogon yesterday and get the ball moving as the cary will be here on friday. I woke up this morning and i had a guy who was interested and wanting to know the shipping costs. I checked on ups's website and gave him the total price and he was satisfied. He put the money in my paypal account and i'm packing it up now. What can i buy now? Ummm.

oppo 105

[Jack in Wilmington]

oppo 105

I might have done that had I not purchased a Denon DBT-1713UD back around Christmas, so I could get rid of my bluray player and my SACD/DVD-A player.

[Mr Peabody]

That's great Jack, nothing like a quick sale. Sometimes I don't even end up with a sale. Did you buy a preamp yet?

[Jack in Wilmington]

That's great Jack, nothing like a quick sale. Sometimes I don't even end up with a sale. Did you buy a preamp yet?

I did. Like I said in the first post, the wife gave me the OK last Sunday and I put in a bid on a Cary SLP-03 and it was excepted. It's NIB and arrives tomorrow. Got a set of XLR's for it last Sunday also from a guy about 10 miles away, who was in my neighborhood that day and dropped them off. It's been a productive week.

[blackraven]

I am really looking forward to your review of the Cary. Have some fun man! Just remember the sound may by shoddy at first till the tubes burn in some. I could not believe how bad the BAT sounded the first hour with 8 new tubes. Then it just broke loose and the sound kept improving until about the 20-25 hour mark.