ARC Reference 6 or Cary SLP 05 with upgrade?


Yeah, it's me again. The Voyager has settled in nicely and I think I would benefit from a better preamp. A friendly local dealer dropped by today with a ARC LS28. That was headed in the right direction but was not close to a $12,000 improvement. I could probably swing a used ARC Reference 6, but somehow the Cary SLP 05 has caught my attention. Everything I read about it is very positive but I don't know if it would lend more of a full sound than increased transparency. Has anyone been able to compare these two directly? 

Currently: Bricasti M3 > Rogue RP-7 > LSA Voyager > Fyne F1-8

One of the things that appeals to me about the Cary, aside from cost, is it uses 6sn7 tubes which are now being manufactured by Lin Lai and have a reputation for great sonics.

Anyway, I await your wisdom. 

markmuse

Congrats on your decision.  Please let us know how it sounds.  I really don’t think you could have made a bad decision!!!

@ditusa 

It has input gain adjustments L/R. Not the same. And even if it could really reduce the output gain my understanding is the quality of the pots involved are not great. 

@markmuse 

Congratulations! You have to choose what best fits your specific needs and circumstances. I hope you find the time to post your listening impressions of your ARC Reference 6SE.

Charles

Congrats on the 6SE.  You won't regret it.

You are one step ahead of me - mine isn't an SE.