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
ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,280 posts
 

The Benchmark ultimately added a “sheen” to the overall sonic picture. Although it was dynamic and pretty transparent on first listen, it grew fatiguing over time.

My version of the Cary preamp was at the opposite end of the spectrum. It was warm and lush to a fault. No snap or leading edge of a note. Like I said above, later and upgraded versions are probably a different animal.

BTW, I owned these two preamps 20+ years apart.

billpete OP
176 posts
 

Thanks for the reply

LA4 is pretty new, SLP 98 goes waaaaaaaaaaay back, 27 years. I guess they thought enough of it to keep bringing it back with upgrades. The PH301 was similar and then on to the PH302, probably not a great deal different but I don't know. I have the first one and am still very happy with it. The 98 is still talked about by many people, as you know. I don't really get upgrade-itis, I just need a replacement for a tired old pre. Always wanted to try a full tube pre anyway. I've heard at least a few people claim that my old pre (Parasound PLD2000) had a tubey sound anyway. Whether it did or didn't, I can't really say. I just found it pleasant in my system. An old buddy of mine used a CJ, not sure of model and it was very nice in his system.

jdal
162 posts
 

Take a look at the Universal 6 or 12SN7 preamp from Mellow Tone Kits. You can buy it assembled if you want. I had the Cary SLP-98 many years ago and replaced it with an Emotive Audio Sira and then the Epifania, which I still own.

I have many nice pairs of NOS 6SN7 tubes and wanted to use them instead of them just sitting in storage so I built this kit. I'm going by memory but I think this preamp sounds better than the Cary. The tube filaments are powered by a SMPS, so you can swap between 6 volt and 12 volt tubes, which means 12SN7 tubes. And in addition, with tube socket convertors you can also use 12AU7 and 6GU7, 6FQ7, and 6CG7 tubes. It's a very musical preamp and fun for tube rolling. 

billpete OP
176 posts
 

jdal

Thanks. It is interesting. I may pick one up to have my son build it. He wants to learn how to do this stuff anyway. Might be kind of fun. I'll probably still be searching for something with a remote but if this thing can sound better then an SLP 98, who knows. I do like the types like Cary (and this) with tubes out in the open. Makes rolling much easier and I do have a penchant for tube rolling. Intriguing suggestion and certainly very reasonably priced.

retiredaudioguy
32 posts
 

FYI the Benchmark LA4 can be tried out at home for 30 days.

To my (admittedly elderly) ears it is totally transparent and uncolored.

 

 

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