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McIntoish C8 or PrimaLuna EVO 300

Both of the McIntoish C8 and PrimaLuna EVO 300 preamps seem to check the boxes in terms of inputs, outputs and features, and I can lift them.  Does anyone have experience of either or both of these preamps?

I think my system is in need of a bit of warmth, I have noticed recently that the very highest violin notes are a bit aggressive - in the recent past I've been listening to mainly choral works and had not noticed this.

I was playing the Hilary Hahn sonatas and partitas, (I have the disks and digital) and noticed the problem.  I dug up my 40 year old (!) C-J PV6 and the sound was sweet to the top, but that pre-amp  lost the air and space of the choral recordings; everything was warm and cuddly but the sense of the recording space was lost.

My interconnects are Cardas Clear Reflection and I have the issue on both analog and digital - and with SS or tubed Power amps.

My current preamp is the Benchmark LA4 which is, perhaps, a bit on the analytical side of neutral.

Changing from my Rockport Atria II speakers is NOT an option. 

So, I am looking for warmth but not losing the sense of the space, Am I asking too much in the $5k price bracket?

 

retiredaudioguy
retiredaudioguy OP
287 posts
 

I have ordered a Cary SLP-98 with all the upgrades (Mundorf caps, Kimber wiring, Upgraded rectifiers) - but no tubes.  Speaking with the sales guy he said that the "no tubes" request was quite frequent.

I have 5 or 6 matched quads of 6SN7s - E-H, TungSol, NOS RCA's of various flavors and LinLai Sapphires.  The Cary design does not require the "B" flavor (older tubes had a rather lower B+ limit.

This is a leap of faith, but I have heard Cary stuff in the past and been impressed by its musicality, and reviews all make the same comments that I am looking for.  Its size, and weight, fit my needs, it will take a couple of weeks and will post my thoughts after listening.

Many thanks to all who have tendered opinions - as you can see I moved from my initial thoughts.

 

 

 

 

 

decooney
2,565 posts
 

"@retiredaudioguy ...he said that the "no tubes" request was quite frequent."

.

Congratulations on the new order. For awareness, those caps do take a good while to form, settle in, and they do change in/out in an odd way for hour 0-1, then next 24-48hrs slowly starts to open up and smooth out more.  Took a good while in my mono amps too, 200hrs at least, then stayed there. It’s worth the wait and will be fun to read your comments after 200hrs :) When you think its done, its not, changes again, and then you realize holy cow these things do take a while to settle in.  

Also: my 98 and the cables sitting between it and my two different sets of amps show a real difference between themselves, for whatever reasons.  Just does.  

About the stock tubes - Cary should not be surprised.  Those cheap/stock EH tubes end up back in their boxes stored by all new 98 owners, just used at burn-in time, to let the caps settle in, then R&R’d with other much better tubes, new or vintage. 

 

wyoboy
328 posts
 

@retiredaudioguy Best wishes with your "leap of faith".  I have not heard the Cary but it checks most of the boxes.  Even Cary says it will take 100 hrs to break in and the owner above says even longer so will be interested in your thoughts after that. Much seems to depend on tube rolling. Curious why you didn't just close your eyes and go for the SLP-05 flagship--yes, i realize it's more than your original budget but still under $10K with all the upgrades--perhaps i assume too much in light of your ability to afford the Rockports--which i would buy if i wanted to be a single man...

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