2. amps-preamps
  3. 162703-141023

Amp recommendations

Looking for some advice. My 25 year old amp has given up the ghost and I haven’t kept up with what’s good out there. Instead of sinking money in my existing amp, I’m thinking of replacing it. The amp that went bad is a Cary Audio CAD 300B (none of the tubes are working, one of the rectifiers flashes when turned on, I checked the tube fuses). The preamp is a Cary Audio SLP-70 (I recently had it checked out and retubed it). The speakers are Chapman T-7. I also have a Creek CD-60 and Project 1.2 turntable. Music Meter inter connects. My budget is around $4000 for a new amp. Is this a reasonable budget? What amp recommendations do you have? I’d prefer to stay with vacuum tube but if there are solid state amps that you’d recommend, please do so. I can provide specs on the components if needed. Thanks for your advice.
z32kerber
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
For a good number of years I had the less powerful SET Cary CAD 301, and it drove ProAc Response 2.5's very well indeed.
It's worth sinking a couple of hundred bucks in your 300B to explore if it can be revived or not.
If not, then I third the Quicksilver rec.
z32kerber OP
151 posts
 
Thanks to everyone for the great feedback and recommendations. I’ve been doing a lot of research into things related to what’s been said. Here’s my plan. Start by having all the tubes tested. If it’s just a tube problem, then I’ll replace them. If the tubes are good, then I’ll make some calls regarding getting my Cary repaired. But my concern is then having an amp that’s underpowered (25 watts RMS) for my 90dB speakers. Then decide whether to replace the amp and sell the Cary or keep the Cary get new speakers. 
twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 
I know Chapman sometimes does rolling revisions, but if your specs match these, then yes, probably a bit underpowered.
https://chapmanaudiosystems.com/CurrentModels/T-7.html
russ69's avatar
russ69
3,478 posts
 
"... But my concern is then having an amp that’s underpowered (25 watts RMS) for my 90dB speakers..."

You need a more powerful amp, no question about it and it will perk up your system but please save the 300B if you can and use it for a second system.
fstein's avatar
fstein
199 posts
 
Get a Purifi amp, $1K and up
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