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Looking for Help - LS27 or SLP-05

I've been an equipment junky for 30 years as you can see by my feedback. Its been my hobby since I was young. Now as retirement is nearing, I'm trying to put together a system I can stick with. I've searched and read threads and reviews and I still don't know which way to go. I've owned a couple of ARC preamps and have really enjoyed them. I've never owned a Cary. My current system is exaSound e22, Rowland Capri, Pass X250.8 and SF Olympica III's. I am running a 5m Nordost Heimdall 2 from pre to amp. My most memorable (favorite)sound was an AMR DP-777 direct into a McIntosh 402 driving Cremona Ms. My system does need tubes. The midrange is nice, but it is missing something. I don't feel I'm getting the most from my speakers. I know you can't tell me what I would like, but I'd like to hear some comparisons or advice.
vgrubb
lwin's avatar
lwin
576 posts
 
Like yourself I am trying to set up my retirement system as I will not have the bucks at that time to keep replacing gear in my main system. I have not heard the LS27 but I have owned the SLP05 for several years now and it is staying. It replaced a Sonic Frontiers Line3 that I really liked but even before I started tube rolling the Cary was better not by a longshot but enough to make me write a check and I have never regretted the purchase. The SLP05 feeds signals into my Cary 211AE amps which in turn power my Martin Logan Summit speakers. As one of my clients who was a solid state guy stated, the system sounds simply wonderful and complains I cost him thousands of dollars. He has since converted to an all tube system. Both Cary & ARC are solid companies & I don't think you could go wrong with either preamp. I think the main difference is that ARC tends to come out with newer models more frequently then Cary which could result in some "what if's". Good luck and I hope this helped.
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hk_fan
493 posts
 
I've owned both and preferred the Cary by a significant amount. It has more of the tube attributes than the LS27 did in my system, and was just better essentially in every aspect. I would probably still own it if it had more remote functions (changing input, power, etc).

I honestly wasn't that impressed with the LS27. It wasn't bad per se in any sense, but when compared back to back with the Cary there was no mistaking what I was missing.

The Cary was more extended up top, had a more articulated bottom end and more of the midrange magic that I wanted from a tubed unit. The ARC leaned a little too far towards the solid state side of the house in terms of presentation. The Cary was more transparent/open and allowed me to "see" a little deeper into the soundstage. The ARC seemed a little congested in comparison.

Your experience may be completely different with your equipment, and since I've never-ever heard any of your gear, I can't possibly tell you if it would be a good match or not.

For what it's worth I was using both preamps with a Levinson 336 amp, Aerial 10T speakers and Linn Unidisk 1.1 source.

Good luck with the search.
joey_v
668 posts
 
SLP-05 is the preamp of choice for me.
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