Cary tubes?

i found the cary pre extremely neutral, tight & fast - not at *all* tubey. but, this was in direct comparison w/the rogue 99, which was *very* coloured, imho... amplification was a pair of electrocompaniet amps im biamped mode, driving meret re's, w/a pair of bridged adcom 555's driving vmps larger subs below 60hz.

Try a passive remote volume control like the Creek OBH12 for $350.00. It's great, I've been using one for three years. It has also worked fine running right from my C.D. player into any of the three Cary SETs I've owned.

I have to agree with musicslug.The cary to a CAT is a Major upgrade. It all depends on what sound your looking for. If you want the big midrange bloom then go with the Cary's. The Cary slm-200 is also a great amp

Don't overlook the the Cary SLI-80. I have owned Mesa, Jolida, VTL and (2) Sonic Frontiers amps. The SLI-80, IMO, is more musical and capable of a more realistic soundstage than any of the others I mention. Guess it depends on how much power you need and what you want to spend. I have Silverline SR15's on loaded stands and I'm utilizing the stereo sub-outs into an old Muse 18 right now, with outstanding results. I'll probably sell the Muse and go with a REL pretty soon. I've had tube amps matched with floorstanders and electrostats but find the tube/monitor/sub combination the most satisfying.

My local Cary dealer is also a ProAc dealer. I heard the 805Bs powering 3.8s with the Cary pre and it was MAGIC - on jazz and chamber it sounded like the musicians were in the room. The speakers totally disappeared. The audition room was a bit live, high ceilings/hardwood floors and the ProAcs were pulled well out into the room, but the sound was not "tubey"...I don't remember which CDplayer was being used, I think it was the 303. Since this wasn't my audition, I didn't hang around too long, but for the 20 minutes I heard it...I would have to say YES, Cary and ProAc mate very well indeed. You would probably be upgrading the speakers long before the amps.