AES/CARY Sixpac Mono Amps,Anyone have these?

Thanks for your perspective, Sburton.

Were I at the Cary factory, perhaps my experience would have paralled yours. However, with the Cary CDP, preamp, and DeVore Fidelity speakers I heard them with, the sound between the two amplifiers was markedly different. I am not sure if the statement quoted to you was 100% true, as the only component changed out was the amplifier itself. Perhaps they are more load dependent via transformer and coupling cap differences, etc., and the speaker I listened to showed that more than what you one heard? Again, nice to have your insight.

Trelja,
When you compared the Sixacs and V12R was the V12 by chance running in UL mode? That would definitely sound different. I did not get to hear the v12r in UL so I can't offer opinion, but it should sound less tubey with tighter bass as you described. If triode vs. triode then I can't account for the difference you heard. But then again I only got to compare them for a short time. Perhaps they do indeed sound less alike than I thought during that brief comparison. Makes me want to hear the v12r again. Thanks for your thoughts. Happy listening...

I don't know how technical it would be,but has anyone owning the Sixpacs looked into putting a Triode/UL switch into the amp.AES states on their site it is not available for the sixpac but does offer that upgrade for 125.00 on the smaller AE-25 amp.Has anyone asked AES about it???
It sure would be a nice upgrade vs that zero feedback switch.
I would run the amp in zero feedback all the time anyway.The Manley MAHI's that I am messing around with have a feedback switch showing MIN,STD,MAX..3db,6db,10db respectivly.. sounds the best in MIN 3db and nasty at MAX 10db.
Gordon

Hmm, Sburton, excellent question. Actually, I have to plead stupidity and say that I do not know.

Though, with my own Granites, which I can also switch between triode and ultralinear, and as you pointed out, the differences are immediately obvious. And, I am much more keen on the sonics in triode; very much sweeter, more immediate and alive, taking only a step back in power (more noticeable on some speakers than others - again, load may play a role here). Also, I much prefer the bass in triode mode, which very much goes against conventional wisdom, but there I go again...

If I had to venture a guess, I would say the V12 was in triode, as I found its sound to be immediately superior to the Sixpacs, but again, this goes against your experience. The resolution, refinement, and openness really jumped forward when we tried the V12, and ultralinear NEVER does that for me. My dealer and one of his assistants felt this was just the way they always heard it as well. He was willing to sell a demo V12 for something very much in the neighborhood of the list price of the Sixpacs, though he also would give me a nice deal on the Sixpacs.

In the end, I ended up with the Granites, as I felt them to be soncically superior to both of them, though I still recommend the V12 highly, as well as the Sixpacs. Also, from the one complaint I have heard regarding the V12 was from people trying to run it with KT88, and the Granites do so swimmingly.

Thank you again for this discourse!
Joe

The V12i I own performs nicely in triode. I was interested in the Six Packs at one time, but since I got a real good deal on a pre-owned V12i I went in that direction. I have played with two-thirds triode and the sound is a little less sweeter than triode, but much better than ultra linear, which I thought had the oomph, but not much more. A little flat actually.

As for tubes, I could not stomach KT-88s in the V12i. I am now using Siemens NOS EL-34s from the 70's. What a difference. Greatly improved the sound, especially in the bass. Much cleaner.