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CAT SL1 Signature, How does it measure up ?

I am considering replacing my Coincident Statement Phono stage and Dodd Battery Variable Gain Pre-amp with a CAT SL1 Signature.

My best guess is that this will be an upgrade in my line stage and a downgrade in my phono stage side of things, and save me 4000$ which I can put towards upgrading my speakers.

But that is just a guess, the SL1 Signature is pretty old maybe it does worse than my current setup. Does anyone have any ideas on which direction this change will take me ?

Rest of system:

Coincident Dragon 211PP Mk 2 - monoblock tubes
Rega RP6 + Shelter 501 Mk 2
Vienna Acoustics Mozart Grand speakers
Triode CD4SE Vacuum tube CD player

This whole thought has been triggered by the fact that I thought I would be happy with the passive line stage (for the CD player) in the Coincident Phono, but it really sucks in my system.
essrand
essrand OP
297 posts
 
CAT"s owner Ken also suggested Mk III CAT Signature. However I can only find Mk II used, 2 here in audiogon now. Is there a big difference between Mk II or Mk III ? Definitely will tube roll.
bombaywalla's avatar
bombaywalla
1,958 posts
 
I used to know what the diff between Sig Mk2 & Sig Mk3 but I have forgotten now! I would definitely listen to Ken Stevens - if he said he prefers that you get a Sig Mk3, then, you should get a Sig Mk3.
And, that would mean waiting for one to show up. They do come up for sale reasonably often but I can tell you that those who like the CAT preamps, don't let them go easily....

Go back & call/Email Ken Stevens to ask him what the diff between Sig Mk2 & Sig Mk3 is.
Thanks.
kevinkwann
85 posts
 
The difference is that the MK3s use two 6922s in place of the MK2s two 12AU7s. And yes, CAT offers the MK2 to MK3 upgrade.
somut
82 posts
 
Quite the contrary: You really do have a great system (the Coincident Dragons are considered to be amongst the best of the best) and from what I've heard about the CAT, you really can't go wrong -- It would partner with your system with great synergy actually. However, one thing to consider is that CAT hand makes their own custom capacitors for their preamps: Who knows if additional staff will acquire some of that precise expertise through knowledge transfer and if the same custom caps will be available should you decide to keep the preamp for the next 20 or so years.
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