Cary spl 88. Seems like you don't lose anything to ss in how quiet it is, in macro and micro dynamics, and pace. It seems it takes control and drives the music great. Swinging and toe tapping if you know what I mean. And it has a nice dose of tube traits-natural tonality, body, harmonic overtones, without any even slight syrupy effects. To me it is not warm or cool, lean or thick. Kind of a chameleon. I have had audible illusions l1 and audio research ls1 and I think the cary is better all around than both by a considerable margin with my 50's nos rca6sn7gt's. As things can be system dependent I think this unit would fit real well in a large range of systems.
Suggestions? Tubed linestage pre-amp??
Budget <$3500. Would prefer new but not ruling out newer used. Do not need a phono stage or DAC, so linestage (tubed not ss) - but don't want passive...need some gain.
Just starting to put together a short list. Looking to upgrade the Consonance Reference 50 pre I'm using. Hoping to find dealers allowing in-home audition or money back trial period.
On the list so far:
Doge 8 SCR
Eastern Electric Minimax
PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium
Checked past threads to see if this might have been covered. Couldn't find it. If there's something relatively current I missed, do please point me to it.
Thanks in advance for your help.
Just starting to put together a short list. Looking to upgrade the Consonance Reference 50 pre I'm using. Hoping to find dealers allowing in-home audition or money back trial period.
On the list so far:
Doge 8 SCR
Eastern Electric Minimax
PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium
Checked past threads to see if this might have been covered. Couldn't find it. If there's something relatively current I missed, do please point me to it.
Thanks in advance for your help.