I chime in on two different issues:
1) Biomimetic - you do come across as fan who cannot bear to hear negative opinions about one of his favorites. You open a thread by saying
I wonder if some of the criticisms of them - fat, not extended, slow, etc., are in fact relics of the first reviews in magazines which were so used to solid state and still in the "wattage race"
And someone, Nrchy, replies with a firsthand, personal, experience with the exact amplifier you cited and, at least partially, invalidates your (above)assumption.
Later, you direct an attack at his fairly straightforward opinion
11-13-05: Biomimetic
Hey Chris - I hear you on the 300 vs 80 question. Was not meaning to be really harsh, but I have watched Nrchy do this before. Was not saying anything about valid vs. invalid - I had asked for specifics and none were provided, which is his typical M.O. Bash, no back-up, bash, derail...
I find his response fairly direct and specific - he found the amps to be "slow, lacking in dynamics, and did not fare well if they did not get enough rest between listening sessions. " Later, when asked what speakers they drove and how worn were the tubes by Artmaltman, he responded
I was using Kharma 1.0 ceramique speakers, and the amp had been recently serviced by Cary, everything checked out fine. The speakers never sounded slow or lifeless when I used other amplification. BUT those are good valid questions.
Again, this is a fairly straightforward and complete response without and inflammatory remarks.
Then, it is you who takes the discussion into unnecessary territory with the remark
Frankly, Nrchy that seems odd to me... I think it may really be a matter of taste, like you solid state guys have none... But seriously, do you ever not talk crap to people in threads?
How was that called for? And, what does that have to do with what he said? You accused him of "Bash, no back-up, bash, derail", then proceeded to do so yourself.
Then you simply head into the territory of the bizarre
You have offered up this same observation in at least one other thread where you also stated you preference for the likes of Pass Labs. It also had nothing to do with the topic there.
It doesn't sound like a solid state amp therefore it is unreliable is not a first hand account of your problem with one of these amps. Is it?
Bizarre, in that he had previously stated
I have a tube system at work with KT 88's in the amp, and I like it very much. It sounds a lot better than the Cary ever did...
There are a lot of products that are tube based that I like a lot. I would like to sell my Klyne pre-amp and Pass Labs X-Ono and get a Manley Steelhead.
So, it is clear that he's not strictly a solid state, Pass or Krell, guy as you attempted to write off as. He states clearly that he would sell his Klyne and Pass for a Manley tube full function preamp/phono. Also, he never stated that any Cary gear was "unreliable".
Anyway, I see nothing in his responses that did not fit perfectly within the context of your original post.
2) I have had a Cary 300SEi in my system for decent amount of time and found it was the "tube sound" in the extreme - midrange was lush, bordering on "overripe". Bass was was rounded and loose. Highs seemed to be slightly rolled off. I think this amp is a classic example of how Cary came to get the reputation for a "House Sound".
The impression was the same with 90dB/4ohm Jean Marie Reynaud monitors and Hammer Dynamics 97dB/8ohm widerange driver w/ Fostex super tweeter.
By comparison, I found the Welborne DRD300B monoblocks with a TVC(Transformer Volume Control) to be far more revealing, neutral, and controlled. All the SET magic with far less embellishment. Bass was tighter and highs more extended. Midrange was less saturated.
Was the presentation terrible? No, not by any means, but I wouldn't describe it as accurate, either. I do see how people fall in love with the ultra-rich midrange, even though that is not my personal cup of tea.
I cannot comment on any other Cary products, as I have never spent quality time with any in my system.
