Cary SLI-80 Thoughts?


I am currently strongly considering the Cary SLI-80 integrated tube amp because I love the sound of tubes and have heard so many great things about CARY amps. This one also fits my budget on the second hand market (around $2000-2500). My question is, are there better options for this size amp in my price range that I should consider? I could stretch my budget a bit if there were considerably better options. I am driving a pair of Harbeth Monitor 30s and listen mostly to an analog source, but also have tons of CDs so I still listen to those as well. I currently have a cheap Chinese tube amp that sounds great but lacks some features I want. I would also like to have a higher grade amp to enjoy a higher level of sound quality, of course. I should not fail to mention the look of this amp is dead sexy. Have also considered Primaluna but since the Cary amps are U.S. made I feel a bit more confident in getting support, which I know I will need with owning tubes. Thanks for your opinions.
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I struggled to like this amp until I upgraded the caps from the stock Audio-1. The V-Caps TFTF made a huge difference, even though it may have been overkill, and Cary did the upgrades. So I concur with the raves above, but a cap upgrade and tube replacements would be highly recommended if you're looking at a basic unit.
I ordered the F1 Signature edition from Upscale. It has lots of upgrades over stock, but I believe the tubes are not upgraded. Which tubes are the treasure tubes and where can I buy them for a reasonable price? Thanks
If it's me, I am going to keep the stock tubes and let the unit burn in before any tube rolling begins.

Get a feel for the amp first.
But that's just me :o)
Yes Lougiants is right, let the stock tubes burn-in, get a feel for them, do some research, then let the rolling begin.

By-the-way Lou, you a football Giants fan? Perhaps baseball? Or none? I ask since I've been a Giants fan forever.
Hi Mikirob-

Yup, NY football Giant fan since I was a kid :o)
Hoping this ride will last a few more weeks.