Is there a better integrated amp than the Cary SI-300.2d for the money?


Hi all,

I have a very large stereo system from PBN that I love.  The two amps each weigh 200 lbs (with 4 kva transformers each) and there is a separate very large power supply for both the preamp and phono preamp.  Top notch quality.  But, too big for our new house.  Again, I love that system (2 Olympia amps together with the Olympia LX and Olympia P preamps) but need to switch.  Does anyone have experience with the Cary SI-300.2d integrated amp?  What are some good solid state amps at the $4k - $5k price range?  Thanks in advance for your help.


ozfly

Thanks grannyring. I’ll look into it and try to compare it to the Cary provided the pricing is in the ballpark. I do have one or two analog inputs so I’ll ask Neal about that.

sfseay, thanks for the suggestion.  I'm a little nervous about class D -- maybe I'm just old fashioned. 

Classe Classe claims it isn’t standard Class D, and they designed their own amplifier.  They have a white paper out that explains the technical details.  Also, look at the Stereophile review to get some insight.  I bought a used demo so I got a good price.  
Classe claims it isn’t standard Class D, and they designed their own amplifier. They have a white paper out that explains the technical details. Also, look at the Stereophile review to get some insight. I bought a used demo so I got a good price.  I’m coming from a Mcintoshe preamp and amplifier and I like the sound of the Classe better, especially since I listen to digital exclusively.

I remember listening to McIntosh 30+ years ago and was blown away. It was a Crown and McIntosh combo driving a combination of JBL horns and 15" woofers in custom designed cabinets (my friend was an Electrical Engineer who later owned a recording studio -- he got me into the audiophile world).  I’ll look at some of the Classe reviews again. If it beats McIntosh, well ...

However, I have a couple of analog inputs so I need to consider that as well.

Again, thanks Audiogon community for the input.  Much appreciated.