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

Greetings all...  I ready to move into the tube integrated two channel world.  I've never owned tubes before but I've always been enamored with Mac stuff and recently heard the Rogue Audio and was hooked.  I have done a lot of research and have narrowed my choices down to these two amps.  I live in Va Beach, VA and don't have access to them for an audition so I'm buying 'blind'.  I've read many reviews and watched many videos (Kevin Deal is quite the salesman!) but was hoping to get more input here. I doubt I'll find many that have compared the two directly but I thought I'd try.  Does anyone have any input here?  And, I'm slightly concerned about having to bias the Cary.  Is this something that I should be concerned about / is it difficult / time consuming?  Thanks for any input.  I appreciate it! 
tripppsta
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
@twoleftears 

It was Ken Micallef's review.

https://www.stereophile.com/content/cary-audio-sli-80hs-integrated-amplifier
tripppsta OP
5 posts
 
Yes, I saw this.  Thanks.  Kind of a mixed message but sounds like getting it paired with the Forte IIIs is special.  

Also, I've read several times (as also noted in this review) that Cary's tube gear has historically had a more lush tube sound and Primaluna leans a bit more solid state.  Although, Cary's newer stuff maybe not so much.  

How many hours of use can I expect from the KT88s in the Cary amp before likely needing replacement?  I feel like this amp is going to push itself harder and maybe require more frequent replacements.  Is that safe to say?
three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
@trpppsta

How many hours of use can I expect from the KT88s in the Cary amp before likely needing replacement?

About 2,500 hrs....ymmv
cafreeman
2 posts
 
Hey  parsons, if you're heading to Raleigh, Audio Advice there has the Primaluna line and the Klipsch heritage speakers. I have found them to be very helpful. Good luck!
efort
14 posts
 
I have been a long time McIntosh user. I have had the Cary sli 80 F1, and loved it. Also easy to bias. I purchased a Primaluna Prologue One to see what the hype was about. I was shocked to say the least, I rolled tubes and the sound always changed and improved.  That little amp is capable of so much. I recently purchased the Dialogue HP amp and all I can say is wow! It gives my Mac MC 352 a run for the money!  I have it currently paired with a Manley Shrimp pre amp and the soundstage is incredible. I listen to primarily vinyl with a Manley Chinook phono stage and am quite satisfied. I’ve used EL 34, KT 88, and KT 120 with great sounds in their respective ways.  As far as tube gear goes it has to be the easiest to own, with outstanding results.  I still have the Prologue One in a small system and can’t let it go.  For price point, and ease of use the Primaluna gear is well worth it. 
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