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Anyone heard Cary 303/300 after 400 hours burn-in?

Has anyone had a positive experience with a correctly functioning Cary 303/300 CD player using high quality N.O.S. tubes, and after having used a high quality burn-in cd and music for a minimum and proper break-in period of 400 hours?

Has anyone had a positive experience with Cary's Technical and Service department in Apex, N.C.?

Has anyone had a positive experience with the 303/300 using the balanced outputs into a high end, non-budget balanced preamp (or directly) into a non-budget balanced amp and high end, non-budget speakers via high quality, non-budget intercnnects and cables?

Although some folks do not believe in modifications, has anyone had a positive experience with modifying a Cary 303/300 CD player?

There are always some folks that feel a certain piece of audio gear just does not suit their expectations, but, there are many variables with audio gear, when properly addressed, the very same gear may exceed the expectations of other Audiophiles.

I am looking for new friends to share your positive experiences with the Cary 303/300 CD player.
levchappy
martykl
3,578 posts
 
I use one with stock tubes, stock version (unmodded).

A very fine, very flexible cd player, via RCA and XLR out.

Marty
hack
185 posts
 
I love my 303, use NOS Telefunken tubes and usually leave the upsampling off. I bought the CDP used, the previous owner had to change the transport and grumbled about the cost of the replacement part (he ordered the transport and had a local tech do the work). All in all I'm very happy with the Cary, highly recommended!

My system can be found here http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vdone&1106945005&view
istanbulu
291 posts
 
.

I like the Cary 303/300 CDP very much. Like Hack above this post, I've found that early Telefunkens, particularly smoothplates, work very well with it. Nice smoothness, clarity, and resolution.

I have a pair of Amperex '57 D angle-getter Bugle Boys coming in this week, and I'm curious about them.

I've also used RCA Cleartops and RCA Blackplates with very good results, the nod mostly going to the Cleartops but the blackplates are no slouch. So far the Teles rock my boat best...

No problems with the Cary 303/300 so far. Bought it from Kevin Deal, Upscaleaudio in CA. Kevin's the man. When he's in a good mood, he's the best to dialogue with about various audio topics. Very knowledgeable with a good sense of humor.

I've also learned that RCA vs XLR cables seem to make a difference, particularly mfgr choice and the type of these cables make a big difference. The power cable choice makes a big difference as well.

Generally speaking, I prefer the tube setting with a minimal upsampling for most recordings.

The build quality seems very robust.

:) listening,

Ed
steidlguitars
90 posts
 
I'm pleased to hear that others have had good success rolling tubes. In my Rogue amp and pre-amp, tube rolling has been effective and fun, but none of the 4-5 NOS flavors I've tried in the CDP (RCA clear tops, black plates, Mullards, and a few others) seemed to beat the SS side in my set-up.

Maybe I'm due for another pair of tubes ;-)

I've had no issues with the player at all, it's worked perfectly.
istanbulu
291 posts
 
.

My preamp needed to go to the doctor, so I setup the Cary 303/300 XLR'd directly to the MC352 and now use the volume control in the Cary.

Put in the '57 Bugle Boy 12au7s btw.

It's all Synergistic Research cabling: T2 PC to the CDP, T3 PC to the MC352, Accelerator IC XLRs from the Cary to the amp, and Accelerator SCs from the amp to the speakers.

I am completely surprised at the presence and musicality of this direct setup. I've set the volume control usually 45-58.

Any similar experiences or thoughts. I can't wait to get my preamp back and A-B the setup. Surprised me very much.

:) listening,

Ed
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