Power Amp To Go With Cary SLP98P Preamp

@dylanfan
I have heard the Ryan speakers with my Primaluna Dialogue 5 Power amp. A Rogue Atlas Magnum II Power amp. McIntosh 2200 Power amp. Peachtree Nova 220Se. I just got the Cary SLP98 preamp and thought I would get in if their power amps either solid state or tubes. I like tubes best but I have a grandson and thought maybe solid state would be safer with him around. The tubes get hot. Especially the Rogue.

That’s a pretty good sample of different/type/sound amplifiers you have there. If you have EL34 output tubes in your PD Dialogue 5, the sound is likely smoother and a tad more laid back (my personal preference for revealing speakers) compared to some of the solid state and hybrid amps you noted above. Also, if you make the move, I may have a friend who may be interested in your PD D5 if you decide to part with it.

Your Preference:
Of all the amps you noted above, including the McIntosh 2200 -or- your own PL Dialogue 5, is there one of these amps that stuck out to your preference (tonally) more than others (with your Ryan 630 speakers)?

Yes. The Dialog 5 does. I prefer it with KT88 tubes over the kt120 tubes. I like the el34s but like a little more power with the Ryan speakers. I have some kt77s I might try as well. The new EVO400 Primaluna has more power and el34 tubes so I might be looking at that too. I som’t Need to change just thought the Cary might work a little better with my Cary SLP98.

@dylanfan
Yes. The Dialog 5 does. I prefer it with KT88 tubes over the kt120 tubes. I like the el34s but like a little more power with the Ryan speakers. I have some kt77s I might try as well. The new EVO400 Primaluna has more power and el34 tubes so I might be looking at that too. I som’t Need to change just thought the Cary might work a little better with my Cary SLP98.

@dylanfan,

Yes, agree about GLKT88s vs. TSKT120s. All circuit dependent of course, yet I’d guess it sounds pretty nice now with KT88s... Why is it you believe you can do better than your PL D5 with KT88s? Also, now wondering how much tube rolling you’ve done so far with your existing preamp and existing amplifier.

I ask only because there may be other areas of tuning (with your existing preamp and and amp gear) before buying another amp. Are you looking for more/less clarity? More or softer punch? Larger or more focused soundstage? More bass or more neutral bass? More or less top end detail? Or, just more power for more loudness?

i.e. After two years with the same preamp setup - I wanted to try some changes in different components to see where differences COULD be realized with in-depth focus using my existing preamp/amps. Kept myself from changing amps again with helpful input and (reminder) advice from good audio friends. I just spent the past 120 days trying different input tubes in my SLP-98 and input tubes in my mono amps, different tubes in the DAC, different coupling caps in DAC, different (loaner) interconnects between streamer to DAC, and different interconnects between source/DAC, different interconnects to Preamp, AND different interconnects to both mono amps. Tunable tone and sound stage in a sense. Same preamp, same amps - sounds notably different. Results: larger and wider sound stage, less harsh yet details coming through, more musical and fun to listen to now. One small step at a time and learning "patience" is challenging and can be very rewarding.

Have you tried really good vintage input and driver tubes in your preamp or amp yet? If not, you are just getting started :)
PL D5 Amp: Tube Compliment: 2 - 12AX7, 2 - 12AU7, 4 - KT88?
CAD SLP-98 Preamp: 4 - 6SN7s?

I like the Dialogue 5 fine. Have some Gold Lion KT77s I have not tried yet. I like the Primaluna KT88s pretty well actually. Just got an itch to get a matching power amp to my new Cary Preamp. 

@dylanfan 
12-08-2019 5:54pm
I like the Dialogue 5 fine. Have some Gold Lion KT77s I have not tried yet. I like the Primaluna KT88s pretty well actually. Just got an itch to get a matching power amp to my new Cary Preamp.

Ahhh, gotcha!  Know the itch feeling well...maybe that's why I shared I did this too - went and got the nice SA-200.2, almost bought a ".8" version PASS amp, and then missed my tube amps for their unparalleled three dimensional sound. Tried a few stereo tube amps in between. Then transformer drool kicked in.  

Had to buy tube mono block amps to finally be done.  While they are not same vendor matching amps to my keeper SLP-98 preamp, the preamp sure compliments them nicely with some good tube matching.  Enjoy the journey!  :)