2. amps-preamps
  3. 162703-141023

Amp recommendations

Looking for some advice. My 25 year old amp has given up the ghost and I haven’t kept up with what’s good out there. Instead of sinking money in my existing amp, I’m thinking of replacing it. The amp that went bad is a Cary Audio CAD 300B (none of the tubes are working, one of the rectifiers flashes when turned on, I checked the tube fuses). The preamp is a Cary Audio SLP-70 (I recently had it checked out and retubed it). The speakers are Chapman T-7. I also have a Creek CD-60 and Project 1.2 turntable. Music Meter inter connects. My budget is around $4000 for a new amp. Is this a reasonable budget? What amp recommendations do you have? I’d prefer to stay with vacuum tube but if there are solid state amps that you’d recommend, please do so. I can provide specs on the components if needed. Thanks for your advice.
z32kerber
yogiboy's avatar
yogiboy
5,661 posts
 
Being a Quicksilver fan boy I highly recommend that brand. My friend is using the Mono 120 amps with his Proacs and loves them. I use the Silver 70s ( 70 watt ) with my low sensitivity ( 83db ) Harbeths with no problem. You should take a look at the Sixty Watt Mono amps as they would drive those speakers just fine and at 3 grand you will be getting a bargain!
http://quicksilveraudio.com/amplifiers/
lwin's avatar
lwin
570 posts
 
You have had the amp for 25 years and you like the sound. Before doing anything I would call up Cary and ask to speak to one of their technicians. It might be a simple repair but they will more than likely tell you to replace the capacitors.
donvito
400 posts
 
@millercarbon
The OP has a preamp. Why are you recommending an integrated amp??
audioconnection
1,271 posts
 
Audio Connection has been recommending Quicksilver amps for over 25 years. The latest 120s with the Choice of KT 150s or KT 88s offer excellent transformers, legendary support, and performance. Best, JohnnyR

three_easy_payments's avatar
three_easy_payments
2,097 posts
 
@donvito 

@millercarbon
The OP has a preamp. Why are you recommending an integrated amp??

Because this is what MC always does.  His answer is to scrap your whole system and replace everything with a Raven amp and Tekton speakers.  Always....at all costs and regardless of your listening priorities.

Honestly, if the OP loves the sound of 300B or SET amps, why on earth would you direct him to Raven amps and Tekton (a mostly 4 ohm lineup of products) speakers?  Because dude has an agenda of pumping this gear and not having any empathy for anyone's listening priorities. 


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