Upgrade from a Cary SLI-80 integrated amp

My main system for some time now has been all Atma-Sphere(MP-1, MA-1's) and I'm extremely happy with the sound.

The heart of my second system is the SLI-80 F1, all-triode, direct coupled version. It came with EL34's which to my ears sounded thick, slow, and rolled off at the extremes. I immediately replaced them with Black Treasure KT88's which made a tremendous improvement; think night and day!

I also replaced the Sovtek 6922's(which suck), the 6SN7's, and 5U4 rectifiers with NOS and again huge improvements across the board. Long story short, while the SLI-80 F1 is still somewhat outclassed by the 8 times more expensive Atma-Sphere gear, I can listen to it for hours enjoying every minute. I think it's a fabulous sounding integrated and can't think of anything I'd want to replace it with!

Rfohe18 since you like the BT KT88s you might want to try their 6sn7s , have them in my Modwright LS100 , wonderful sounding to my ears and agree with you on the KT88s put them in my Ayon Spirit , big improvement

You may want to try 5AR4's in place of the 5U4's .... Easier start up for the amp and I felt they improved the amp's transparency....

Chuck

Re 5AR4 vs. 5U4: are they electrically similar?

The 5AR4 are indirectly heated and provide a smooth (slower ramp of current) start up of the amp. I have also been told that they present a lower impedance to the power supply and therefore provide better dynamics. I use them and felt they improved the transparency of the amp. I was also told that there is no need to spend big dollars here on NOS tubes, but to each his own, instead go with a pair of the lesser cost current production manufacturers. Certainly worth a try IMO.

Chuck