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Decision Decision Decision between Cary and Audio Research Sound

My decision came down to Cary SLI-80 INTEGRATED or Audio Research VS-55...60 amp.
I am currently using Audio Research LS7 preamp(but will upgrade to better pre amp if I go with AR amp).

As suggestion from here that Cary and AR are different sounding as Cary sound is warmth and AR sound is transparency. My problem is that I don’t have any dealer that carry both brands so I can go to listen to it and pick the sound I like between the two.

Need help from you guys again, who owned or had listen to both and which sounding would you like more?

Or if not even related to Carry or Audio Research, can be any brands,  Would you prefers Warmth or transparency sound and why?

Thank you for your time.

eddy1
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,914 posts
 
eddy1-

do not waste your time/money on an ARC integrated.
ARC separates are much, much better. Cary would be better in this regard. Rogue Audio is a nice follow up.
lak's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
lak
4,682 posts
 
@Eddy1,
I agree with pehare +1
and jafant +1.
I have heard both and much prefere the Cary.
eddy1 OP
145 posts
 
Thank you very Sir.    

Any other suggestions are welcome.  

sbank's avatar
sbank
3,379 posts
 
Eddy, 
In general the Carys sound similar to the CJ stuff that you are moving away from. 
I'd suggest trying the LS7 with a better amp like advertised
Ads for Rogue Monoblocks 150s or the  Music Reference RM200. IMHO, monoblocks will help with soundstage/imaging by minimizing crosstalk between channels and separate power supplies. Cheers,
Spencer

xti16
1,525 posts
 
"Or if not even related to Carry or Audio Research, can be any brands,  Would you prefers Warmth or transparency sound and why?"

As far as warmer or more transparent it would depend on you current speakers and cables along with your preference in sound. When I had my Octave and Dynaudio C1 Sigs I preferred a warmer sound (loved original Tung Sol 6550 solid black plates or SED KT88's). Then when I replaced the Dyn's with Raidho D1 and later D2's I preferred a more transparent sound (Ei KT90's and original SED 6550's). The only tube I hated was the TS KT120 with either speaker. That said that is the beauty of tubes. When I wanted to change up the sound I swapped out some tubes
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