PrimaLuna EVO 400 v Cary SLI-100

I second dweller’s suggestion that the Evo 400 has more power than you’ll need for the Heresy speakers. The Evo 300 with a nice quad of KT-88s would offer plenty of power and save you the additional cost of the 400 and running cost of 8 power tubes.

Since this is your first tube amp, the PrimaLuna offers ease of ownership with auto-bias, bad tube indicator, and varied tube compatibility. It’s a painless transition from solid state. The bad tube indicator is especially handy given the state of current production tubes.

In contrast, The Audio Research I50 amp mentioned earlier is a fine looking unit, but tube bias has to be set by a technician (internally) and not exactly user friendly.

For what it’s worth, I’ve had great luck with the Apos Ray Select KT-88 tubes.

I’m not sure about the Cary, but even though they use tubes, Prima Luna is maybe the most solid state sounding line I have ever heard. What I have heard was using the tubes that came with the units, so tube rolling might help, but if you’re looking for that tube sound, I’d start looking at pretty much any other brand that’s in your price range. I used to have Audio Research and it was grand, in fact I still have a SP-9 MK2 in my downstairs system and while it is a hybrid, but it still makes me smile.

@mattsca I’ve never owned anything other than solid state but I am increasingly intrigued with tubes. Thinking of "investing" $5K or so in an all-tube integrated to (at least initially) drive my Klipsch Heresys. Any thoughts on these two choices? Is there another choice in this range?

Yeah, how about running neither of these specific amps mentioned.

An acquaintance I met designed the SLI-100 for Cary Audio with KT150s. Was the very last amp he designed before he departed the company. We talked about it some when he wrapped up that design. Appears it still designed to run KT150s. Look at the spec, other tubes are not listed. However the little brother amp can run other tubes. Gives more options to you. Look up SLI-80 and SLI-80HS both.

The SLI-80HS is still available, and still lists compatibility with all of these, 4 – KT88 Output Tubes (or 6550, EL34, 6CA7, KT77, KT90, KT120). More flexible.

As an owner of mono amps designed to run only KT150s, I will say my former SLI-80 integrated was a fun little integrated, and I enjoyed rolling tubes and upgraded caps in it. Sounded wonderful with the right speaker and tube pairing. I dont think you’d realize a benefit running the SLI-100 with KT150s if you want an older type of "tube" sound. Getting KT150s to sound like KT88s or EL34/KT77s, is not quite the same type of sound. Since you own Hersey speakers, I felt comfortable replying. Went through all of this with a friend and his iterations of amps with Herseys.

If you don’t buy a PrimaLuna, and like the Cary integrateds, I’ll share this. A buddy of mine owned Hersey 2,3,4s and still has the H4s how. He’s run his H4s with many tubes, lower and higher power tubes. All of these. 2A3, 45, 807s, 6L6s, EL34, 300B, and KT88s, KT77, and other output tubes prior on his Hersey H2s, H3s. He taught me some about KT77s years back. I shared this with others who like them too, and many still using KT77s today as their go-to tube for music listening time.

If you keep your solid state amp, and want a tube amp too, you could go with a Cary SLI-80 or SLI-80HS integrated and use KT77 output tubes in it for a rewarding sound. Others here with SLI-80 integrateds, or KT77 tube fans might chime in here.

Photo:
It might help to know the SLI-80Hs was originally marketed and demonstrated around the Hersey Vintage series speakers and paired up together. A few photos are still out there, if it helps to see it paired up.

Look what’s sitting over there on the back wall, Hersey.

others on the Cary site, old show/showroom photos, Forte’ paired with SLI-80.

+1 Cary Audio. Look at CAD 300SEI. Single Ended Triode Class A, full on tube experience for your Heresys. Upgrade the 300b to Gold Lion’s, and some nice NOS 6SN7s, Tung-Sol, Sylvania or RCA. Rated at 15 wpc but probably only outputs 3-5 wpc at normal listening levels. I have the high output LX rated at 20 wpc paired with Forte IIIs and KR 300b’s, simply sublime! 
 

SLI-80HS is a great amp, more versatile tube options as @decooney notes above, but is a push/pull Class AB design with more power output. Rated at 40 wpc in Triode mode and 80 wpc in Ultra Linear, a lot of juice for Klipsch. A lower power SET Class A will give you a more midrange centric tube experience.

Both designed by Cary Audio founder Dennis Had, a true pioneer in bringing tube amps back from the SS era. I have one of his Inspire KT-88 Firebottle amps he builds in a little shop after retiring from Cary that runs 6L6, 6550, EL 34, KT77 and KT 88 output tubes with a single 6SN7 or 6SL7 driver tube. Different from SLI-80 as the Firebottle is a Single Ended Pentode Class A putting out only 10-12 wpc. If you find one of these used, buy IT! Paired with the Heresys, you’ll learn what tube amps are all about.

Cary Audio SKI-80 HS…PL Dialogue…both great…