Cary Audio SLI-80HS vs Primaluna Dialogue HP or Evo Integrated Amps

I had a 2010 Cary SLI-80 and really enjoyed it.  In fact I realized I've missed it quite a bit in my 2nd system and have recently traded in a piece of gear to Cary and have a new SLI-80HS on the way.  The biggest difference in the updated model is the solid state rectification which should give it even better extended bass.  I plan to pair it with Klipsch Forte III's which I just demoed this evening with a Rogue Cronus Magnum III - the pairing was really nice.  

Tube biasing on the Cary is simple as the poster stated above.  Screwdriver and multimeter.  Once the amp and tubes are broken in a bit you really only need to adjust the bias a few times per year at most.  

Clearly the SLI-80HS and Dialogue Premium HP are intended to go head to head.  They both have triode and UL modes and nearly identical output and price.  I haven't heard the PL but they take a little different approach with double the output tubes but overall the design seems very thoughtful, if not perhaps too user friendly to the point it has what I consider too many extra parts - the auto bias (maybe because of so many tubes being used), the EL34.KT88 switch to accommodate a slightly wider range of output tubes while still being able to autobias (I'm not sure why you'd want to use KT150s in this amp), and there is a bad tube indication function - none of which are on the Cary.  It's pretty easy for me to tell when a tube is going bad.  I suspect the PL sounds best loaded with 8 EL34s and the Cary sounds best with four KT77s or KT88s. Probably due to the huge arsenal of tubes in the PL it consumes and an enormous 470 watts compared to Cary's 166 watts.

I have never listened to a PL but I'd sure give it a chance.  I'm really just weighing in from an older SLI-80 owner's perspective.  I'm very interested in seeing how the 80HS compares.

Primaluna Dialogue HP is great, but IMHO if you don't run KT150s in it (expensive) you are not hearing it at it's best.  I made the mistake of going KT120 before KT150 and should have just gone KT150 from the start.  Phenomenal headphone amp is a total bonus.

@parsons That’s really interesting about the KT150s. I can definitely see how KT150s would be more thunderous, powerful, and overall more dynamic but I think you’d give up some midrange magic of the EL34s. I’m surprised you saw that big a difference moving from KT120 to KT150. Obviously a desirable sonic profile is such an individual preference. I almost think that someone who craves the power, bass, and dynamics of KT150 tubes is actually someone who may benefit more from a SS amp paired with a tube pre. That’s what I use is my main system - but with pure Class A SS power.

Thanks for all the input everyone.  It’s very helpful!  I live in Va Beach and will likely make the trek to Raleigh NC (3.5 hours drive) to hear the Cary amp.  I’m also thinking of pairing it with the Klipsch Forte IIIs which they also have for my audition. I won’t likely do a lot of tube rolling... at least to start. So the amp needs to sound great out of the gate... and I listen to a wide range of music. Please keep me posted three easy payments. 

Don't get me wrong, the amp sounds awesome with EL34s.  But in my opinion a very different/more relaxed sound than the KT family, and yeah, the KT150s did all the things KT120s did but better with no downside I could find.  And the KT120s were a step up from KT88s.  I struggled to love the EL34 sound in spite of a ton of fans...it's merely a preference thing as you say.  KT150s still sound like great tubes, but are a little more SS neutral perhaps.  I want to love some solid state amps but I haven't, and still own a couple good ones (SimAudio Moon, but sold my First Watt after trying to love it for a couple years in a couple systems).  I haven't heard the other two amps in question and I know Cary is a great amp manufacturer from my reading.