Audio Research LS 26 or Cary SLP 05?

I have owned both and the Cary is more extended on both ends. Both are very good, and different.

Listen to both if possible, but based on your criteria I would say the Cary may be more to your liking.

Once Again, without being redundant. To make a recommendation of a single component without having a working knowledge of other components that will augment it, is both foolish, and ludicrous! Regardless of what anyone will review, or comment.....There is not a Single component, that does not have a Flavor, "House Sound', and; or Sonic Signature!! Palm that off with those beginning this hobby yesterday!!! Audio Research's happens to be more whitish, and analytical, in comparison with Cary, and Others. Again the final arbiter is KNOWING what sound is to You're preference, and how the individual components interact to formulate that particular sound You are endeavoring to achieve, in You're System. That, Turntables, Tonearms, Cartridges, Wires, CDP's, And Speakers, Tweaks Etc; ALL should come together in a wholistic way to take You to that point. All the other information in regards to this IMHO is pointless.

Thank you everyone for your advice. It forced me to listen to both AR LS 26 and I agree that it's a more analytical sound. I am aiming for a different palate of sound that's 3D holographic sound, extended Frequency range, without sacrificing transparency.

I've narrowed my decision to Cary SLP 05 vs Cary SLP 98P F1. What are the sonic differences between them?....

Thanks!

I owned the SLP-98 (non-F1) and to compare it to the 05 is really difficult as in my system they were night and day different.

Going from the 98 to the 05 I found much (MUCH) improved extension on both frequency ends as well as transparency. The top end is wide open but not harsh or fatiguing. The 98 was well rolled off in comparison.

Bass performance is another massive step up on the 05 over the 98. The 05 has serious drive and digs deep, the 98 is a bit bloated and flabby in comparison.

You really owe it to yourself to audition them both as what you described in your original post may not be what you really want... but if you were accurate then the 05 is the pre for you. :)

I really enjoyed my time with the 98, but after having the 05 in my system I could not go back.

Good luck,
Jim

You can not compare SLP-05 with SLP-98 - I had both in my room - they are just not in the same league.