FS: Cary SI-300.2d Integrated Amplifier

jdjohn · July 17

For sale here is a Cary SI-300.2d integrated amp. Here is a link to Cary Audio's info page about it: https://caryaudio.com/products/si-300-2d-integrated-amplifier/

Front pic of the actual amp being sold:

Stock pic of the rear:

(2) pair of balanced/XLR inputs
(2) pair of unbalanced RCA inputs
Digital inputs: (2) coax, USB (DSD compatible), Toslink, AES/EBU, Bluetooth
RCA preamp outputs (best for powered sub)
Digital outputs: coax and Toslink
Output power: 300WPC into 8 ohms; 450WPC into 4 ohms
Comes with remote

I am the original owner of this amp, but sold it to a work colleague, and now he's ready to let it go, so I'm helping him out by listing it here. It was too much amp for him, so no use in letting it just sit around. After my initial purchase, I originally posted about it here:
https://forum.polkaudio.com/discussion/188991/cary-si-300-2d-integrated?utm_source=community-search&utm_medium=organic-search&utm_term=si-300.2d
I've been testing the amp out here at home for a few weeks before listing, since he had not been using it for a while, and honestly, I've had thoughts of just buying it back from him for future use. But, I'm fully entrenched with separates at this point, and probably will be for a while.

This is obviously a beast of an amp. It weighs over 50lbs, and I've already listed the output ratings. It has a lot of nice features, including HT/cinema by-pass, upsampling, and others. It will connect to wi-fi, and has smartphone apps for controlling, but I think the Android app is out-of-date at the moment. I have inquired to Cary, and they were going to pass my question onto someone. I don't have an iPhone, so haven't been able to test that app. But, I can tell you that the Bluetooth works.

Cosmetically, I'd give this a 9.5/10, just to be safe. It really is flawless.

Looking for $2,500, plus shipping. I do have original packaging. Also willing to drive within 2 hours of Nashville, TN. That would get me to Chattanooga, for any of you ATL guys.

smartie_panta · July 17

That looks awesome! GLWS (to your colleague).

newbie308 · July 18

Wow! *Drool* That's really nice! I wish I had the space for a second rig! GLWTS!

kevhed72 · July 20

Sir,
Is there a built in phone pre?

treitz3 · July 20

It doesn't appear that it does.

Tom

jdjohn · July 20

It does not have a phonostage.

jdjohn · July 27

Price drop to $2,250

jdjohn · August 18

Bump

jdjohn · September 4

Bump, and free shipping to lower 48

tonyb · September 6

This still here / C'mon guys, this beast, at this price....your momma gonna slap you for passing this up.

dagame27 · September 6

It's being looked at for sure...wrestling between this and a Musical Fidelity m6si

tonyb · September 6

dagame27 wrote: »

It's being looked at for sure...wrestling between this and a Musical Fidelity m6si

To me, the Cary is going to have a more analog sound to it. I mean, that is their claim to fame right? Plus it has balls, and probably a better dac in it too. Thats just me though. The newer MF stuff seems to have gotten a tad bit more nuetral sounding than the warmer older stuff. If you want to downsize a bit, this piece and a music server, some decent 4 ohm speakers, can make a nice system.

VR3 · September 6

Jody is solid, buy it!

Clipdat · September 7

Plus it has VU meters!

jdjohn · September 7

tonyb wrote: »

To me, the Cary is going to have a more analog sound to it. I mean, that is their claim to fame right? Plus it has balls, and probably a better dac in it too. Thats just me though. The newer MF stuff seems to have gotten a tad bit more nuetral sounding than the warmer older stuff. If you want to downsize a bit, this piece and a music server, some decent 4 ohm speakers, can make a nice system.

I can't speak to the MF M6SI, but I would characterize the sound of this Cary as one or two clicks on the warmer side of neutral, and that applies to the DAC as well.

One other thing to reiterate (as mentioned in my review of this unit) is that I found the volume needs to be at least at 25 before the sound really fills out. At a lower setting than 25, the extended lows and highs are not quite filled-out. This is probably dependent on the sensitivity of the speakers being used. Once above that base volume floor, the sound swells in a very linear fashion across the frequency spectrum, and as Tony so eloquently put it, this amp has balls...serious cojones.

As noted earlier, this amp does weigh in excess of 50lbs, so a meet-up within a couple of hours of Nashville, TN would be highly preferable, but I'm happy to ship it as well. I think the original packaging has another shipment left in its life. I have some protective box corner caps I can attach.

audioluvr · September 13

dagame27 wrote: »

It's being looked at for sure...wrestling between this and a Musical Fidelity m6si

Dude! The Cary is a no brainer! Plus the seller is top shelf.

dagame27 · September 13

I passed on it for now. My issue is that my system is 50/50 HT and 2 channel. If I go with this, I'd have different amplification for the center, which would be my AVR. I currently have a 5 channel B&K powering everything. I'm actually happy with my system's sound. The Mrs. wants to downsize and hide everything in a cabinet....not easy.

VR3 · September 13

You go main out of your avr into an input. Set the Cary volume to 12 o'clock and run your calibration then anytime you go to watch movies go to that input and set the volume at 12 o'clock

audioluvr · September 13

VR3 wrote: »

You go main out of your avr into an input. Set the Cary volume to 12 o'clock and run your calibration then anytime you go to watch movies go to that input and set the volume at 12 o'clock

I was going to say get rid of the Mrs. but that works too.

dagame27 · September 14

Ha! Unless I am mistaken, this has an ht bypass. Isn't all of that unnecessary? I'm more concerned about having to use the avr for my center channel. I currently have the 5 channel b&k handling the front 3.

VR3 · September 14

When you are no longer powering the mains the internal amp of the avr will not be working as hard, should work out great

jdjohn · October 2

SOLD!!!

dagame27 · October 3

It took me awhile...but really looking forward to putting this through the paces.

PSOVLSK · October 3

Congrats! If I hadn’t bought what I consider my end game integrated a few months ago, I very well may have grabbed this. Beautiful unit. I hope you’ll report back with your impressions.

treitz3 · October 3

Congratulations, sir!

Tom

kevhed72 · October 4

PSOVLSK wrote: »

Congrats! If I hadn’t bought what I consider my end game integrated a few months ago, I very well may have grabbed this. Beautiful unit. I hope you’ll report back with your impressions.

Curious....what did you purchase sir?

jdjohn · October 4

dagame27 wrote: »

It took me awhile...but really looking forward to putting this through the paces.

Great transaction! I have no doubt this amp will live up to expectations...but of course, I'm interested to read about real results.

PSOVLSK · October 5

kevhed72 wrote: »

PSOVLSK wrote: »

Congrats! If I hadn’t bought what I consider my end game integrated a few months ago, I very well may have grabbed this. Beautiful unit. I hope you’ll report back with your impressions.

Curious....what did you purchase sir?

Norma IPA-140

tratliff · October 5

PSOVLSK wrote: »

kevhed72 wrote: »

PSOVLSK wrote: »

Congrats! If I hadn’t bought what I consider my end game integrated a few months ago, I very well may have grabbed this. Beautiful unit. I hope you’ll report back with your impressions.

Curious....what did you purchase sir?

Norma IPA-140

Paul. It’s an awesome piece.

dagame27 · October 14

Some observations after extended listening sessions. Jody packed this thing to withstand the apocalypse! The two biggest gains from my Anthem/B&K setup is additional detail and low end extension. Whether this is due to the amp or dac, I don't know, but it sounds great! The soundstage is actually narrower, but imaging is more focused within the smaller stage. I like that I was able to declutter (3 boxes to 1 and less cords!), and still improve.

With the Cary described as being on the warmer side of neutral, I'm surprised that the Anthem/B&K was actually warmer. I'm likely to post the Anthem (and Minimax DAC) in the market at some point. However, the B&K is never leaving this house! For what those go for used, that's an obscenely nice amp.

dagame27 · October 14

Additional comment....and I never expected this before purchase, but I REALLY like the VU meters!

FS: Cary SI-300.2d Integrated Amplifier

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