I have a pair of the Cary 211AE with an SLP05 preamp easily driving a pair of Martin Logan Summits which I have been told you can't do that as they don't have enough power. The sound from this combination is simply fantastic. I listen to a lot of different music and I like realistic sound levels. Biasing is easy as the amps come with a plug in meter & that & a flat head screw driver is all you need. Cary does not overload their tubes to get higher output readings so they last a lot longer. I use the amps on surround sound concerts despite the light they emit because they sound so good.
Modwright LS100/KWA-100SE or Cary SLP05/CAD211?
Source is Modwright Oppo 105D. Speakers are probably Legacy Whisper XDS (I say probably as I haven't bought them yet, but I'm close to pulling the trigger).
After a lot of research, I've narrowed it down to these two (though I'm open to other suggestions). There are pros and cons to both:
Cary Pros:
-I'm fond of tubes, the Carys use my 3 favorites: 6SN7s, 300Bs, 845s
-Class A
-Right now I can get both like new for about $13k with a full compliment of tubes (though none of the uber-rare NOS variety or super-expensive modern runs like Sophia Royal Princess 300B)
Cary Cons:
-More expensive now and in the long run
-Les power
-I've never actually had a tube amp that required biasing, and I know the 845s have enough voltage to kill you if you bias it wrong.
-Can't upscale to surround (not on my budget, at least)
Modwright Pros:
-More power
-Cheaper now and in the long run
-Looks (at least, to this observer)
-Synergy with player
-Reliable build quality (at least I'm familiar with Dan Wright's work)
-Uses tubes I have plenty of (6SN7s & 5ar4s)
-Can potentially upscale to surround in future
Cons:
-Class A only for first few watts
-NO TUBES IN POWER AMP :(
Any impressions of either combo would be welcome; any comparison would be phenomenal, though it's probably rare anyone has heard both.
After a lot of research, I've narrowed it down to these two (though I'm open to other suggestions). There are pros and cons to both:
Cary Pros:
-I'm fond of tubes, the Carys use my 3 favorites: 6SN7s, 300Bs, 845s
-Class A
-Right now I can get both like new for about $13k with a full compliment of tubes (though none of the uber-rare NOS variety or super-expensive modern runs like Sophia Royal Princess 300B)
Cary Cons:
-More expensive now and in the long run
-Les power
-I've never actually had a tube amp that required biasing, and I know the 845s have enough voltage to kill you if you bias it wrong.
-Can't upscale to surround (not on my budget, at least)
Modwright Pros:
-More power
-Cheaper now and in the long run
-Looks (at least, to this observer)
-Synergy with player
-Reliable build quality (at least I'm familiar with Dan Wright's work)
-Uses tubes I have plenty of (6SN7s & 5ar4s)
-Can potentially upscale to surround in future
Cons:
-Class A only for first few watts
-NO TUBES IN POWER AMP :(
Any impressions of either combo would be welcome; any comparison would be phenomenal, though it's probably rare anyone has heard both.