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
 

@garyalex 

Yours is different. Yours is the original version of the SA 200.2, mine is the newer current SA 200.2 ES model. I sent it back to Cary and it’s quiet there when they put the amp in their listening room, so they couldn’t figure out what went wrong and so there’s nothing to be fixed and repaired. So they sent me a brand new SA 200.2 ES and they took my other amp in on a trade and they made me pay $1500 plus shipping towards a brand new amp. 
 

I have received the brand new amp 3 weeks ago and so far it’s been working flawlessly, no loud buzzing. It’s quiet. Wierd huh? 

Post removed 
decooney
1,971 posts
 

@dilatante Yes, it is weird. Did you by chance plug the new amp into the same plug as before, or a different plug, and/or possibly different routing of cables too?

Sometimes having two different power cables on top of each other or one of them close to a set of non-shielded interconnect cables can produce a hum too.  

 

dilatante OP
76 posts
 

@decooney 

 

Yes, my new amp is plugged into the same plug. 

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