Cary SLI-80 vs Cary 300SEI

Yes, I recently added the REL sub, and it's a jaw dropping combination : - ) I thought the 300 SEI LX20 was an amp, not an integrated, no? Anyway, great to hear that this change was worthwhile.

As to maximizing sound of SLI-80, I have been playing around with SED KT-88's vs Svetlana EL-34s (love both, actually). I experimented quite a bit with triode vs ultralinear - now I use exclusively triode - and also tried both Ohm setting on the back. I also experimented with various settings on the bias. I now keep it between 75 and 79 ususually. It's amazing how even a small bias drift can affect the sound. I thought sounded soft last week, turned out the bias had drifted to 71. Fixing it tightened up everything. Then there are cables.... I ended up with a mix of Quattrofil and Audience AU24. My old Cardas Golden Ref, which were fantastic with everything I threw at it, seemed a bit too laid back for this already laid back gear.

Art

The "I" at the end of model numbers means "integrated" in Cary products.

Artmaltman,

I also had the same set up as you a couple of years ago, less the sub. I also had the same questions as you. I just got a Almarro SET today to try vs my sli-80 with Eh-Kt88. I also have 7308 and POPE 6ns7 tubes in the front end of the sli-80 and they make a huge difference. I will be curious to see what you think, I have very little expererience with SET, but 300b amps have never been my fair. I let you know how I get along.
Thanks
Mike

Art,
For me the biggest improvement was in the purity of the midrange and the top end extension. Female voices become more life like. Instruments are fuller and bigger. Your sweetspot also become more 3d, and everything has more air around it.
For your information, my main system is:
Wadia 27se transport and dac, w/ reference mods by GNS.
Krell 450 monoblocks
Talon Firebird w/ diamond tweeters.
Mit oracle cables and elrod statement powercords.

Let me know what you think if you do try the 300sei.

Hi Nick, thanks for the information, this is most helpful. I will be on the lookout now for a nice SEI.... Your "main system" sounds awesome in more respects - TALONS are AMAZING in my humble (ha!) opinion, Wadia, MIT.... Krell used to have the reputation of being if anything the opposite of SET sound. How would you describe the sound of your main rig? Did you have trouble deciding whether to go with high powered solid state vs SET in your main rig? I will be facing this decision soon myself, and I anticipate it will be a difficult "apples vs oranges" decision. How has it been for you?
ARt