This will seem like heresey but IMHO the mesa Tigris PROPERLY TUBED competes very well with both CARY models (including the SLI50). Two mdoels I would like to hear but have not are the Tempest and the Audiomat Arpege.
I went through several amps for my second system which consits of Proac1sc/tjoeb 4000 modified/ silval oval and kimber select cables. The tigris is the QUIETEST tube amp I have ever owned. Retubed it with Mazda silver plates, Visseaux 6V6's , and JJ el84. Running in 2/3 triode mode with no negative feedback the sound is top drawer with amazing dynamics for 28watts (must be the 6V6 coming through). The fact that this amp can be had for around $1100 to $1200 (plus $400 for mentioned NOS), is a dedicated headphone amp like the CARY, and has two line level outputs one of which is variable makes it a ridiculous steal. If you can get over the lack of prestige in owning an amp built from the professional side of the audio world and trust what you hear you can be a happy camper and save some money.
I went through several amps for my second system which consits of Proac1sc/tjoeb 4000 modified/ silval oval and kimber select cables. The tigris is the QUIETEST tube amp I have ever owned. Retubed it with Mazda silver plates, Visseaux 6V6's , and JJ el84. Running in 2/3 triode mode with no negative feedback the sound is top drawer with amazing dynamics for 28watts (must be the 6V6 coming through). The fact that this amp can be had for around $1100 to $1200 (plus $400 for mentioned NOS), is a dedicated headphone amp like the CARY, and has two line level outputs one of which is variable makes it a ridiculous steal. If you can get over the lack of prestige in owning an amp built from the professional side of the audio world and trust what you hear you can be a happy camper and save some money.