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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
jsal3689
81 posts
 

I love my SLP-05. I had a Parasound JC-2 that lacked that certain something. I looked at Cary and actually conversed with Billy Wright, the owner. Ended up with the SLP-05 with all of the upgrades. The Carydirect pricing with a nice trade in value for my Parasound sealed the deal. The fact that the owner took time to send multiple e-mails told me they really care about their customers. I have two Primaluna Dialogue 7 monoblocks that really improved with the SLP in front of them. I have since bought a DMS-700 Streamer/DAC. Cary is great company. American manufacturing done right!

Also, I rolled tubes to Psvane SE Tennis ball tubes. Added punch without brightness. Great upgrade.

avanti1960
1,482 posts
 

Sounds exactly like what happened to my SLP-05- none of the left 6 tubes would fire and the meter readings were way off.  I had to send it in and it was fixed perfectly.  

As a last ditch effort before you send it in you can try a new rectifier- it is good to have one on hand as a spare regardless and they are not expensive.

I had a rectifier blow (the cheap Sovtek) and it took 2 fuses.  Replaced it with a NOS mullard off label and sound and reliability improved.  

 

xcool's avatar
xcool OP
273 posts
 

@decooney,  thanks for the suggestion!   At this point, I don't have the appetite to keep trying different things.   I think I'm just going to get this thing shipped out to Cary this weekend.   Will definitely update you guys when I find out what the issue is.

@jallan, thanks for the info.  I hope you're right that it's a small issue.  I hope that whatever the problem and the fix is, it won't affect the overall sound quality, and I also hope to regain some confidence on the long term reliability of this unit.

@jsal3689, thanks for sharing your story.  Good to know that Cary cares about their customers.  I've been listening to my Parasound JC2 this past week, and realize I still enjoy the sound.    It's definitely more laid back than the Cary, but very easy and comfortable to listen to.   I don't plan to sell my JC2.  I like to keep it for varieties.

@avanti1960, thanks for sharing your experience.   Do you remember what was your problem in your case?  I don't know if you saw the video I sent in one of my previous posts, it showed how the control unit just powered off when I switched to a different source.  That seems super weird to me.  I wonder if it is caused by the same issue.

Thanks again to all you guys for your comments and suggestions.  At the very least, it helps to calm my nerve a little.  😀

avanti1960
1,482 posts
 

xcool,

it was a single component in the power supply box, a power supply regulator or something like that.  

yes i saw the video, mine did not have the source issue.

they will fix it.  

xcool's avatar
xcool OP
273 posts
 

Thanks @avanti1960,  I sure hope they'll do a good job fixing my unit!   

BTW @decooney,  I took your advice and reached out to the support person at MD that's been handling my case.   She told me they will extend my try out period by the number of days my unit is out for repair, and if Cary can't fix it properly, or if there are other issues after I receive the unit, they will still take it back.   I think that's great customer service!  Much appreciated!

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