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Cary Audio SLP-05 First Impression

Hi,  I just received my Cary Audio SLP-5 tube preamp this weekend.  It’s only been less than 48 hours and I can’t wait to share my experience with my fellow A’goners. If I have to summarize my initial impression of this unit in one word, it would be:  WOW!!!

I don’t consider myself a true audiophile, so I don’t really have a strong audiophile vocabulary to describe the sound quality, but a few clichés come to mind:

  • sounds like the musicians are right there in my room
  • holographic 3D sound
  • dead quiet
  • sweet & non-fatiguing top end
  • deep bass

Couple of things I hope will continue to improve is a tiny bit more punchiness in the mid bass, and smoothing out some occasional graininess at the top end.

My strongest impression so far is the overall imaging of the sound, and the sense that I’m listening to live music.  Last night I had my system casually playing in the background when I was doing stuff around my apartment, and Eva Cassidy’s Live at Blues Alley album came on.   I was suddenly drawn to the music, and for the first time ever, I finally understand what the description ’sounds like the musicians are right there in my room’ means.   It was surreal.   It brought a big smile to my face.  It was simply beautiful.   Need I say more?

This is the first line level tube preamp I’ve ever owned.  I do own the Herron VTPH-2A tube phono preamp.   Now I know what all that fuss and craze of tube pre/power amps are about.   I guess you simply have to experience it to appreciate it.   I still feel my Parasound JC2 and JC5 combo sounds great, and I am not planning to get rid of them anytime soon.   It’s just that the Cary SLP-05 completely opens up a new music dimension that I’ve never experienced before, and so far it’s been very pleasant.

I will consider doing the ‘Ultimate Upgrade’ offered by Cary at $1600 at some point.   Please feel free to share your experience If you are a SLP-05 owner and have done this upgrade.

I have purchased so many components in the last couple of years based on suggestions and comments that I received, and stuff I read in this forum.  So thanks to those who continue to contribute and share their experiences to fellow members. 

Finally, a big shout-out to @ghdprentice for your suggestion of tube preamps and brought up the Cary brand name in one of my other discussions.  This preamp is certainly a keeper.

PS:  there are a couple of changes Cary had made to the latest production of SLP-05.  It now comes with a universal remote control.  The same one that they sell for $190 on their website, instead of a basic 3 buttons remote that I read from some older reviews.   Also they no longer recommend stacking the control unit on top of the power unit, and therefore those indentations on the top of the power unit are gone.  It is simply a flat surface now.   Actually to my surprise, the power unit runs much hotter than the control unit.  I always thought the control unit would run hotter because that is where the vacuum tubes sit.

PPS: My unit was shipped with the blue power LED missing.  After contacting Cary Audio support, they told me it was most likely dislodged due to rough handling by Fedex.  So the unit is now going back and i would have to wait for a replacement.   That sucks, but kudos to the customer support folks at both Cary Audio and Music Direct for their great service!

Thanks for reading.

128x128xcool
avanti1960
1,490 posts
 

@xcool 

do hang in there, lots of burn in required!

the ultimate upgrades do seem to be subtle but some tube and rectifier changes can be dramatic upgades.  

for tube rolling tubes 1,2,4 and 5 affect non balanced inputs, just get two matched pairs of the same tube with the pairs plugging into 1,4 and 2, 5.  

if you use balanced inputs ( highly recommended) then you need another matched pair for slots 3, 6.  

tubes 7 and 8 are for the headphone amp. 

i use 3 matched pairs of sylvania 6SN7 GTA from the 50s and the sound blows away the EH stock tubes.  you can barely listen to them after experiencing the sylvanias.  

also do upgrade the 5ar4 / gz34 rectifier to a nos mullard f32.  you can find brands made by mullard for reasonable cost. 

again, another dramatic upgrade, especially in transparency and dynamics.  

xcool's avatar
xcool OP
273 posts
 

Hey @decooney, thanks for the suggestions. I did read the Ultimate Upgrade description on the Cary’s website.

I’ll keep your EH 6SN7 suggestion in mind. I’m sure I’ll get that itch one day to try out some tube rolling, but I know very little about it. May I ask you what tubes are you currently using?

FWIW, my SLP-05 seemed to start sounding better last night. I noticed a little bit more warmth was coming out.

One thing I failed to mention in my ’initial impression’ post yesterday, was when I first turned on the upgraded SLP-05 and listened for the first time, my initial impression was "This doesn’t sound like tube to me, it sounds more like solid state". Note: I’m not an expert in tube sound, but do have a little bit of expectation of what tube should sound like.

Hey, maybe my state of mind has changed after all the reassuring posts from you guys. Who knows. 😀

Thanks.

xcool's avatar
xcool OP
273 posts
 

Thanks @avanti1960 for your tube recommendations.   I'll definitely keep that in mind.   There seems to be so many options, and my head is spinning already.  😀

decooney
2,128 posts
 

@xcool "... I’m sure I’ll get that itch one day to try out some tube rolling, but I know very little about it. May I ask you what tubes are you currently using?"

Yep, with your fairly new preamp and burn-in going on, maybe save the "new tubes" idea for a next-chapter. Those stock EH tubes will get you through preamp burn-in cycle to start. The tubes I’m using (now) are not vintage NOS any more. I keep those hoarded away. Finding matched pairs and matched quads is difficult, costly.

There are various, and availability changes by tube seller and the best recommendation is to call a reputable tube seller who offers a guarantee.

For NOS, was previously using a tightly matched quad of Sylvania Black Plates, mid 60s, and past few years using new production TJ Full Music 6SN7s, and awaiting some of the latest PSVANE CV181-TIIs, soon. I missed out on the good Shuguang’s a few years back. Note, again, a good tube reseller (specialist) is where I’d start since you are new to this, when u are ready. Brent Jesse, Andy at Vintage tubes, Jim McShane are a few to note for vintage stuff. I’ve given up on vintage or NOS 6SN7s, rare, few matched pairs/quads out there, and way too costly. New production here forward. Best of luck.

 

xcool's avatar
xcool OP
273 posts
 

Great.  Thanks for the info!

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