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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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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.
jtwrace's avatar
jtwrace
443 posts
 
Too bad. I really like my SLP-05. With my X-250 I used a X-1 pre and thought it was great. Personally, I really like the Tube pre with SS Class A amp combo though.
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jburidan
803 posts
 
Don't laugh, but actually I like the Electro Harmonix 6SN7 better than most other tubes in the SLP 05.
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