Does Cary stack up to ARC

Tom, I probably should have tried some tube rolling in my ARC LS16 too. I was using it with the stock Sovtek 6922 tubes. It wasn't bad at all and it had all the qualities I like in a tube preamp except it could have been a little more extended covering the frequency extremes and just a tad bit warmer in the mids. But thats just my preference. Others might consider this unnatural or even criminal. ;-)

As it turns out, my used Conrad-Johnson PF-R solid-state preamp arrived today while I was at work (so I had to come home early. Its Friday, after all!) I placed the CJ PF-R in my system only 30-minutes ago and so far I REALLY like what I'm hearing. Sure, its solid-state but it has that "CJ family sound" that matches very well with my CJ Premier 11a. Back to the sofa for some critical listening.

It's possible, even probable that you would prefer the Cary sound, but the question is whether the SLI-80 is high enough on the quality ladder to satisfy you. These seem to show up fairly often and sell fairly quickly, so trying one out used would not be a huge risk.

I've wanted to downgrade to an integrated for some time now, and recently tried a Stereophile "class A" integrated in my home. On it's own terms it was great, but my CJ Premier 12's with Audible Illusions M3a just stomped it. I ultimately decided I'd rather have a few more components lying around and get great sound.

Art

Audiotomb
I have tried many sets of tubes in the LS15. Currently I have 4 pre Bugle Boy Amprex in, they make a huge difference. As far as the amp, I think I am going to lock-tite the screws in. It had to go on a trip to ARC after an unfortunate tube rolling experience. By the way, ARC customer support and service is first class.

I tried an ARC integrated before my LS15/VT50 combo. Although it had the same sonic signature, the separates had a greater level of dynamics and resolution.

I guess it comes down to these issues:

- Am I loosing a lot if info with 50 foot XLR interconnects.

- Does the Cary "warm" sound equate to loss of detail?

- Am I taking a step down on the sonic ladder by going to an integrated source.

Based upon what has been covered here so far I think a trip to a Cary dealer is in my future.

Thanks
kettle

Hi Kettle7830, I have owned the Cary V-12. IMO, Sean and Bmotorcycle describe the V-12 (Cary sound) perfectly. My experience with Cary products has been they always work. I can't say the same for ARC. Every ARC product I have owned has been sent back to the factury for repair. Every one of them. I guess I should add that I have not owned an ARC amp or preamp for over 10 years. I am sure their quality control has improved.

kettle's dilema is more with long preamp to amp runs which the cary will simplify. THe LS15 doesn't have the beefed uppower transformer the older ls2 and ls5 had. So for long runs go with an ls5 (although it's all balanced inputs).

abe - did you use sovtek blue dots or red dots??
the blues are a little harder, the reds very warm,
and I hear the bugle boys/mullards have very warm tones

I will be tube rolling my ls5 and was looking to try those combos but 10 tubes at $40-50 a pop can be expensive