Well worth the wait ... Worth every penny spent.... Audio orgy!!!!

Sumerian
Sumerian Posts: 490
edited May 2014 in 2 Channel Audio
Before I start saying anything let me say that I am not Audiophile by any scale but I love music.

Music means a lot and plays a lot of role in my daily activities. I am very choosy and picky doesn't feel satisfaction until unless something really exceeds my expectations.

Though I am a music lover from my school days but this became serious hobby from last few years.

Its a very expensive journey but you gotta pay to play and quality never comes cheap (.)

Anyhow I never thought of tube components until I joined this forum ... thanks to my audio guru F1nut...

Wanted to get a Tube preamp last year ....After spending some serious number of hours reading reviews gathering suggestions from fellow member I finally shortlisted Cary SLP05 in tube preamps...

It was way beyond my budget (3K) thought of pulling trigger on JC1 but for some reason I has this feeling that SLP05 would be the right choice.

So I waited for almost 9 months to accumulate my funds .... after lot of hesitation I finally puled the trigger on a Black Cary SLP 05.

Cary takes 10 days to make one...After 2 weeks of wait finally got it at my door steps.

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Good to see "Made In America" glad to contribute to the American economy... (though I believe all the parts might have shipped from some Asian country)


Packaged good!.


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Double Boxed!

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Black goodness

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One thing I dindt expect .. looks like they have changed the remote ...instead of that universal remote with a bunch of buttons even though only couple of them worked.
Remote is very heavy I think they have wasted good amount of aluminum ... limited functionality volume up/down... and Mute.


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New Cary logo... Looks real cool.

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Sorry for the quality of the pics

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So connected every thing and fired it up .. Ran few songs... though it sounded way better than my current setup, I am not really impressed ... So connected it to my media server I left it running for continuously .
On the second day I got my MIT shot gun S3 cables from Joe. Added them to the loop and let it run for another three days without connecting to speakers.. I don't want to listen before the mentioned break in period I don't want to have placebo effect and I want to see if break in really changes the behavior of the component...
So on the fifth day (today) .. finally connected the setup to speakers

MediaSever (Asus Xonar Essence STX)---> MIT Shotgun S3 (RCA)---->CARY SLP05
>MIT Shotgun S3 (XLR)----> Parasound Halo A51---->LSIM707

Damn Damn Damn Damn.... I cannot put it words...... I was impressed as hell...Though my source is not that strong it sounded like never before... Played familiar songs which I am hearing from last 10 years I am not making it up I felt I am listening to them for the first time.


I can only how great this system will system if you throw in one of the high end DAC in to the loop.


Wow Cary SLP 05 changed the game... Not many times you can accept with reviews of a given product but damn with this product every body is spot on!!!.
even the damn 128kps mp3 sounds so good... whats in that damn black boxes? Magic?

Damn thing started new curiosities.... How would it sound with a good DAC? how would it sound with Mono Amps? What if i change I start rolling the tubes?


I don't think I will be coming out of that rabbit hole any time sooner.


I am all jacked up and cocky as hell..... Beg borrow or steal I need to get a good DAC to hear the real potential of this loop... This Pre Amp deserves a word class DAC
Post edited by Sumerian on
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Comments

  • bobsauto49
    bobsauto49 Posts: 973
    edited April 2014
    I'm jealous! I've been eyeing that product for a couple month's! Mind pm'ing me where u got it, and for how much? Beautiful!!!
    "Everything I ever did in my life worthwhile I caught hell for"
  • Sumerian
    Sumerian Posts: 490
    edited April 2014
    bobsauto49 wrote: »
    I'm jealous! I've been eyeing that product for a couple month's! Mind pm'ing me where u got it, and for how much? Beautiful!!!

    Thanks Bob... PM Sent.

    BTW I liked your review on 100T DAC
  • Sumerian
    Sumerian Posts: 490
    edited April 2014
    while we are at it could you guys please recommend some DACs?

    For some reason no matter how hard I try I cannot zero down on DAC.
  • bobsauto49
    bobsauto49 Posts: 973
    edited April 2014
    Sumerian wrote: »
    while we are at it could you guys please recommend some DACs?

    For some reason no matter how hard I try I cannot zero down on DAC.
    U just said one in yer previous post! Cary mating with Cary! Sounds like a match made in heaven
    "Everything I ever did in my life worthwhile I caught hell for"
  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited April 2014
    Congrats!

    I hate to break it to you but "normal" people have no idea who Cary Audio is and the average Joe has never heard of MIT cables. Only an "audiophile" runs that kind of gear. Hardly even mid-fi. That's some Hi-fi stuff above some Polkies' pay grades here. lol

    Enjoy, looks like a great set up!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
  • Sumerian
    Sumerian Posts: 490
    edited April 2014
    bobsauto49 wrote: »
    U just said one in yer previous post! Cary mating with Cary! Sounds like a match made in heaven

    yeah I think I will stick with Cary and Parasound.
    Since Parasound doesnt have any serious DACs I might end up with Cary
  • Sumerian
    Sumerian Posts: 490
    edited April 2014
    cnh wrote: »
    Congrats!

    I hate to break it to you but "normal" people have no idea who Cary Audio is and the average Joe has never heard of MIT cables. Only an "audiophile" runs that kind of gear. Hardly even mid-fi. That's some Hi-fi stuff above some Polkies' pay grades here. lol

    Enjoy, looks like a great set up!



    cnh

    Thanks ...I gave up on upgrading my car for this upgrade :-)
  • Sumerian
    Sumerian Posts: 490
    edited April 2014
    One more thing I had second thoughts on how tubes will respond to low ends...

    But this pre amp has one hell of a Bass response... Very Very Good.. It will put a heavy Grin on your face.
  • Oldfatdogs
    Oldfatdogs Posts: 1,874
    edited April 2014
    I have to agree with cnh,you blew past music lover when you poped on the Cary.Congratulations

    Dan
  • Sumerian
    Sumerian Posts: 490
    edited April 2014
    Thanks guys!....

    11:25 pm and I still don't feel like I got enough... One good thing ...You wont feel tired... Very easy on ears!
  • chumlie
    chumlie Posts: 8,658
    edited April 2014
    Sweet !!! But I beg to differ. Spending that kind of coin. YOU ARE AN AUDIOPHILE. Stay up and enjoy.
  • Sumerian
    Sumerian Posts: 490
    edited April 2014
    DSkip wrote: »
    I'd be curious to hear the auralic Dac. The oppo 105 is always a contender, but it might be worth it to pair Cary with Cary as mentioned above.

    In that case I have to wait till fall as CARY is upgrading the DAC
  • Dawgfish
    Dawgfish Posts: 2,554
    edited April 2014
    Thats one sweet pre and system. Congrats!
  • F1nut
    F1nut Posts: 50,569
    edited April 2014
    Played familiar songs which I am hearing from last 10 years I am not making it up I felt I am listening to them for the first time.

    That's when you know you've got something good going on, congtrats!

    That's the first time I've seen that pre in black, looks great.
    Political Correctness'.........defined

    "A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."


    President of Club Polk

  • Sumerian
    Sumerian Posts: 490
    edited April 2014
    F1nut wrote: »
    That's when you know you've got something good going on, congtrats!

    That's the first time I've seen that pre in black, looks great.

    Thanks Jesse for advocating Tubes!... I had to pay dearly for that black color.
    In the end its money worth spending.
  • Sumerian
    Sumerian Posts: 490
    edited April 2014
    And the Damn thing looks like ET equipment!
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited April 2014
    Congrats dude, that's my dream pre right there.

    Dacs....the Cary 100t has to be on the short list. I'm using the Cary xciter dac and have to tell ya I'm pretty happy with it. If Cary has some updates in the works for the 100t then wait, you won't be disappointed. Now go back and re-read all those 05 reviews so you can gather idea's for tube rolling.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
  • deronb1
    deronb1 Posts: 5,021
    edited April 2014
    There is a peachtree dac for sale here. Congrats and enjoy
  • drumminman
    drumminman Posts: 3,396
    edited April 2014
    Nice looking gear - really like the black! Glad you're enjoying it.
    "Science is suppose to explain observations not dismiss them as impossible" - Norm on AA; 2.3TL's w/sonicaps/mills/jantzen inductors, Gimpod's boards, Lg Solen SDA inductors, RD-0198's, MW's dynamatted, Armaflex speaker gaskets, H-nuts, brass spikes, Cardas CCGR BP's, upgraded IC Cable, Black Hole Damping Sheet strips, interior of cabinets sealed with Loctite Power Grab, AI-1 interface with 1000VA A-L transformer
  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    edited April 2014
    Good stuff, let the tube rolling begin!
  • Sumerian
    Sumerian Posts: 490
    edited April 2014
    Thanks for the replies guys.

    Actually i am so impressed with the stock performance... I wanted to wait on Tube rolling...
  • devani
    devani Posts: 1,497
    edited April 2014
    congrats on great looking gear my fellow NJ polkie.....
    Video: LG 55LN5100/Samsung LNT4065F
    Receiver: HK AVR445
    Source: OPPO BDP-93
    HT: POLK SPEAKERS RTi6, FXi3, CSi5, VTF-3 MK2
    2Ch system: MC2105, AR-XA, AR-2A, AR9, BX-300, OPPO BDP-83
  • NJPOLKER
    NJPOLKER Posts: 3,474
    edited April 2014
    Where in NJ are you located?
  • headrott
    headrott Posts: 5,496
    edited April 2014
    Congratulations on the new gear. I can see why you are listening for hours and hours.

    While I can see why you want to get used to the stock tube sounds, I definately recommend upgrading the 6SN7 tubes *at some point*. I used to think EH tubes were great years ago. After you upgrade you will hear what better tubes can do. BUT, take your time and upgrade when YOU are ready. In the meantime, enjoy the tunes!
    Relayer-Big-O-Poster.jpg
    Taken from a recent Audioholics reply regarding "Club Polk" and Polk speakers:
    "I'm yet to hear a Polk speaker that merits more than a sentence and 60 seconds discussion." :\
    My response is: If you need 60 seconds to respond in one sentence, you probably should't be evaluating Polk speakers.....


    "Green leaves reveal the heart spoken Khatru"- Jon Anderson

    "Have A Little Faith! And Everything You'll Face, Will Jump From Out Right On Into Place! Yeah! Take A Little Time! And Everything You'll Find, Will Move From Gloom Right On Into Shine!"- Arthur Lee
  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 32,967
    edited April 2014
    Sumerian wrote: »
    Thanks for the replies guys.

    Actually i am so impressed with the stock performance... I wanted to wait on Tube rolling...

    Nuthin' wrong with that. That way you can appreciate what other tubes do....or don't do. Rock that pre bro, she's a keeper.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
    Acoustic zen Matrix 2 IC's
    Wireworld eclipse 7 ic's
    Audio metallurgy ga-o digital cable

    Kitchen

    Sonos zp90
    Grant Fidelity tube dac
    B&k 1420
    lsi 9's
  • Mike Reeter
    Mike Reeter Posts: 4,315
    edited April 2014
    headrott wrote: »
    Congratulations on the new gear. I can see why you are listening for hours and hours.

    While I can see why you want to get used to the stock tube sounds, I definately recommend upgrading the 6SN7 tubes *at some point*. I used to think EH tubes were great years ago. After you upgrade you will hear what better tubes can do. BUT, take your time and upgrade when YOU are ready. In the meantime, enjoy the tunes!
    tonyb wrote: »
    Nuthin' wrong with that. That way you can appreciate what other tubes do....or don't do. Rock that pre bro, she's a keeper.

    Exactly, nothing wrong at all with the stock tubes, enjoy the sweet sound they are providing. The beauty of tube based gear is when you reach a point that your ears really get accustomed to, or "used to" the sound, roll in some different tubes and be amazed all over again. Nothing like some vintage NOS tubes to bring out that 3d, holographic tone that good tube gear can provide! Enjoy! The Black Face Cary is beautiful!
  • Jhayman
    Jhayman Posts: 1,548
    edited April 2014
    Very nice piece of gear, proud papa..lol
    Enjoy
    ATC SCM40's,VTL TL 2.5 Preamp,PSB Stratus Goldi's,McCormack DNA 500,McCormack MAP-1 Preamp,Pro-Ject Xtension 10 TT,Ortofon Cadenza Red/Nordost RedDawn LS Speaker cables, Bryston BDP-2, Bryston BDA-2,PS Audio AC-3 power cables
  • Sumerian
    Sumerian Posts: 490
    edited April 2014
    Thanks guys! appreciate the replies.
  • miner
    miner Posts: 1,305
    edited April 2014
    Very nice preamp you have - look fwd to a review later down the road. Was this an online purchase?
    [
  • Sumerian
    Sumerian Posts: 490
    edited April 2014
    Thanks guys!
    It is a phone purchase from AD