Cary SLI 80 or Conrad Johnson CAV 50?

Difficult to answer as component matching is key. I can vouch for the Conrad Johnson CAV 50 as a beautiful sounding amp. Mine is matched with Totem Model 1 speakers. Wonderful combination (fast, punchy, lush, musical, wide soundstage). My only experience with a Cary integrated was with some Dynaudio 52: I wasn't as enthralled as with the Totem/Conrad combination, bass reponse had some noticeable lag in that set up.

Grakesh,

to my knowledge the CAV 50 espouses a minimalist approach, hence a remote is, unfortunately, not an option. I understand that a CJ pre-amp and amplifier combo would not be constrained by this limitation.

I cannot find a subwoofer out on my Conrad Johnson, but perhaps better people than I can identify how does one go about connecting a subwoofer.

The Conrad Johnson CAV 50 drive my Totems in a 13 foot high ceiling and some 1200 sq.ft. of surface area beautifully (i.e. tremendous synergy). Bass, for a monitor, is, in my opinion, very satisfactory.

Part of the appeal of the Totem Model 1s is their coherence: no register dominates the other. Adding a subwoofer will no doubt help you to experience the lower octave and a half, but, I believe, at the expense of a well-balanced sound.

I listen to vocals, instrumental, classical, baroque, jazz some pop and rock. The medium register magic delivered by the CJ & Totem combo serves female vocals and acoustical instruments extremely well.

In any event, an audition is a must before you make a call either way.

Cheers,

Grakesh,

I am lying a bit, the entire aprtment is 1200 sq.ft. the open area where the Totems are measures some 700 sq.ft. That being said, you do hear them in the other rooms and in the main room the sound really goes wall to wall to wall. Listening to Brahms Concerto no.1, the orchestra tuttis do come across very vividly and the piano is, there, between the 2 speakers. Having heard the same piece in a concert on Monday from the 15th row on the parterre, I'd say the illusion is very very good.