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Cary Audio SLP 05 PreampWhat tubes are you using?

I recently purchased a used Cary Audio SLP 05 Preamp from a fellow Audiogonmer. It did not come with the original tubes.Instead supplied were some NOS Raytheon 231, and Sylvania 231.

I have also bought a pair of NOS Ken Rad VT-231 tubes, and a few of the Sylvania short bottle.

I have changed the rectifier tube to the Phillps GZ 34 metal base mini watt made in Holland.I have also installed the HiFi fuses.

Any other suggestions as to tubes for this Preamp, there seems to be so many ?
128x128ozzy
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dpac996's avatar
dpac996
698 posts
 
Ozzy
as to the range ...I know what you mean. I tried the slp-05 with my x250.5 and same problem...it's due to excessive gain in the system (pass ~30 dB gain, slp-05 ~8 dB gain) with typical ~5vrms balanced digital sources. The 8dB from the Cary is actually less than the normal >10 dB gain active preamps. Unless you install signal robbing attenuators you are screwed and have to live with it...or sell it! Pass X10 and X20 now have closer to unity gain --user selectable.

Dave
jtwrace's avatar
jtwrace
443 posts
 
Tvad-

who's selling the SLP-05?
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ozzy's avatar
ozzy OP
7,464 posts
 
Yes, its true. I am selling my Cary unit. As beautiful as it is there is a impedance mismatch with my Pass Labs X 350.5. Couldn't quite put my finger on it, thought trying different tubes might be the answer.

After reading Tvads comments I started to do more digging. Sure enough, I found several reviewers who commented that the Pass Labs X 350.5 does not work well with tube preamps.

So, I have a choice, to sell the Cary I just bought or sell the Pass Amp.
The Pass Amp has been good , and weighs 150+ lbs to ship. The Cary, I really dont know its potential, so I am selling the Cary.
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