Speaking of this preamp and Cary amps.. I sold my heavily upgraded SLI-80 Signature and bought the new SLP-98L tube preamplifier and Cary SA-200.2 (yes, solid state amp) that's "voiced" a bit like a tube amp. All I can say is WOW, if you want more power, low end, and dynamics, it's another combo worth considering and highly recommended by Cary. I see why now. This combo is sensitive to interconnect cable changes when running revealing speakers, so if you want it brighter/softer go with interconnect cables for you taste and tune from there. While I liked the SLI-80, it truly benefited from running the right coupling caps, tubes, hexfred upgrades. However, with lower efficiency speakers, the higher power SA-200.2 or V12R paired with the SLP-98 tube preamp produces ann even more full sound and larger sound stage IMO. Run more efficient speakers, 92db or above with the SLI-80 if you can or it may lack some of the low-end grunt you might be looking for. Yep, setups and different rooms produce different results. I though it was my room, then I plugged in the SA-200.2, wow, not the room, all the fullness and low-end I was looking for was back.
Cary SLP98 + Rocket 88R F1 vs SLI80
OK, I'm looking for feedback from those who have owned these products. I have a Cary Rocket 88R F1 that I got from Kevin Deal and up until this summer was using it with a McIntosh C220. I love the amp but sold the Mac with the intention of getting an SLP98. But now we are downsizing and moving, so the SLI80 integrated seems like an attractive alternative. If it would be close in sound, I might even try to stretch for a SLI80 F1. I'm very impressed with Cary gear, especially at their price point. I listen to jazz, classical and occasional 70's rock and expect to be in a relatively small space. What do ya think?