2. amps-preamps
  3. 193170-198816

Cary SLP 98 vs Benchmark LA4

Looking to replace my preamp. I used a Parasound PLD 2000 for 20 years or more and have no complaints. It lost the right channel and the culprit seems to be the balance pot. I have searched high and low and cannot find one. Parasound dealers have been no help. Most won't even answer. I have tried half a dozen different preamps from the used market and not been delighted with any of them. Nakamichi, other Parasound units, Forte, an Audio Valve (which got damaged in shipping and ended up going back). I really wanted to hear that last one.

Anyway, I drive two Parasound HCA 2200 II amps into Teledyne AR9 speakers, biamped. I have a Cary PH 301 phono pre. I listen to vinyl much more than I do CD's probably 80% of the time. I do not stream any music. I know it's all "old school" but I am mostly very pleased with what I hear.  Does anyone have any thoughts on these two preamps? I think the Cary is made to drive more than one amplifier. No idea on the Benchmark or whether one of these suits my needs more than the other. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks,

Bill

billpete
knotscott's avatar
knotscott
1,079 posts
 

You can easily roll tubes to tailor the sound of a the Cary a bit.  You might be able to roll some opamps to tailor the Benchmark to your liking if you're up to it, but it's no where near as simple.  Just some food for thought.

billpete OP
212 posts
 

I'm leaning toward the Cary, since I have always loved the PH 301. Rolled a lot of tubes in and out of that phono pre. The SLP 98L that I found, does not look to have any upgrades but is only 8 years old so not sure how much improved it is over the originals. I believe it sells as a 30 day money back trial. When I spoke to Cary Direct, they spoke of about 3 upgrades that they recommend the most. Seems to me, they should just do it automatically but not how it works. 

My SS components may lean a tad to the bright side, which is possibly why I favor the vinyl so much, at least in part. My room is also bright, which is something I'm working on. Log walls, 7 glass doors and 3 large windows. I'm starting to cover all glass with "soft absorbent coverings". It's a work in progress but I can hear improvements as I go.

I have watched Cary move from 12AX7 and 12AU7, to I think ECC88? and on to 6SN7 and I forget what is in the 05 but it is interesting to see that things progressed to a tube that was in every television set in the 1950's. I remember taking them to the stores to test when I was a kid. Tube testers were everywhere. Funny, how things "progress". 

Anyway, I've read so many things about the SLP 98 that I'm 90+% certain that I'd be happy with the Cary for the rest of my life. I know the Benchmark is a different animal and I may or may not like it. I would not if everything sounded sterile. Thanks,

Bill

billpete OP
212 posts
 

Tried to post pics of my AR9's but can't figure out how. 

A couple other preamps up for consideration (if I miss the SLP98 or get talked out of it) are AR Ref Mk2 or Wells Audio Commander Level 2. Both available at reasonable prices. I know nothing of Wells, other than a few good comments here and there. AR gets mentioned all the time. Any advice on these or how to post images would be appreciated. Thanks,

Bill

immatthewj
2,786 posts
 

and I forget what is in the 05

6SN7s.

billpete OP
212 posts
 

6SN7 seems to be a favorite anymore. Interesting how it goes over the years.

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