2. amps-preamps
  3. 170308-138596

Cary Audio SA 200.2 SE power amp (latest version)

Hey there,

I need some advise and opinions on something. My current setup includes : Monitor Audio Gold 200 5g (latest generation), Classe Sigma Amp2 class D power amp, Classe Sigma preamp, Cary Audio CD 306 SACD player.
My speaker cables & XLR balanced analog interconnects are Cardas Clear Reflection. Power cables : Shunyata Delta NR, Transparent Reference PowerLink MM1, Audioquest Blizzard, Shunyata Venom V10 NR (20 Amp / C19) from wall to my Shunyata Venom PS8 AC power line distributor. AC power line distributor: Shunyata Venom PS8 with Venom Defender.

I’m about to pull a trigger on the new Cary Audio SA 200.2 SE power amp (latest version) to replace my existing Classe Sigma Amp2 class D amp. The Cary is a class AB amp. Which amp do you think will be a better choice for my system? Have anyone compared these two amps before and what are your thoughts? My Monitor Audio Gold 200 5g speakers (latest generation) are very laid back warm smooth refined sounding speakers. The highs and mids are very smooth. These new MA Gold 200 5g are complete opposite sound profile than the previous MA Gold 4g series, which are very forward and somewhat bright. And I’m using warm sounding speaker cables and analog XLR interconnects throughout.
Your advise, inputs and thoughts will be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

dilatante
dilatante OP
76 posts
 
@yowser 

Thank you for all the info. Curious if you had a faint humming or buzzing issue with the newer Cary SA 200.2 ES amp. Few people had this issue but I think they had the original SA 200.2 (non ES) amp. They said there’s a faint buzz or hum coming from the speaker(s) and was caused by the SA 200.2 amp. 
Did you ever experience with your SA 200.2 ES amp? 

dilatante OP
76 posts
 
@mitch2 

Thank you for sharing your experiences. Much appreciated. So these newer SA 200.2 & 500.1 amps were designed by Dennis Had then? I’m still using the Cary CD 306 SACD player (latest version) in my setup. This is an older player and I believed this player was designed by Dennis Had. It’s a great sounding player very musical IMO.
mitch2
4,336 posts
 
So these newer SA 200.2 & 500.1 amps were designed by Dennis Had then?
Not sure, but I don't think so.  The older CAD 500MBs and CAD 200 were designed by Dennis Had but I believe the newer SA 200.2 & 500.1 amps may have come out after he retired.  The design may have been based off of the original but IME with the 500 wpc monos, the older 500MB amplifier displayed more of the body and warmth that people sometimes associate with tubed equipment. 
yowser
109 posts
 
Never experienced any hum or buzz coming from speakers.  I also just checked and pressed my ears against the drivers.  Dead quiet.
dilatante OP
76 posts
 
@yowser 

Perhaps Cary has fixed the issue with the ES model.
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