@ozzy62
Since the SLI-80 is only an average (I'm being kind here) sounding integrated amp, I would have my doubts that it would make a very good preamp.
The standard version is less than the F1 version, and a fully upgraded SLI-80 is in a completely different league. Not even close.
After helping on three sets of custom speakers for a 50-year retired tech friend, in return he did his magic on my former SLI-80 signature. It turned out to be well beyond the old F1 version upgrade. Caps, diodes, resistors, better quality grade wiring, more +great NOS tubes. Cary asked to see it and hear it, so I sent it back for them to demo. They were stunned. Ended up buying it back from me for FULL price plus parts. Moved on. The Cary SLP-98 preamp with outboard power supply, better cap option upgrades, and good tubes is even better. I've tried it with 4-5 different amps, like it quite a bit, fwiw.
