Cary SLI 80 or Conrad Johnson CAV 50?

A number of really sophisticated listeners among the audio dealers used to recommend the Aronov Audio LS-960I which converted to selling factory direct.
A very natural and musically satisfying sound which makes it hard to imagine anything missing from a performance. Best bass which is much more important to great listening pleasure once you hear the difference.
A fine value either used or new. Although can't seem to access their website in recent weeks which may mean those on the used market due to become collectible.

I haven't heard the Conrad Johnson but I can vouch for the Cary SLI 80. I love the one in my system. It works well with my Gallo Ref 3's and Gallo SA amp. I have a small room so I run it in triode mode all the time. Recently I had my music club over and we moved the stereo into my larger living room. I was surprised that it could boogie that well in Triode mode. From small jazz ensembles to full out orchestral pieces, it was never lacking.

matthew

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.

Marc_audio,

1. Can you let me know whether your CJ CAV 50 has a remote option ? Is there any sub-woofer out from your CJ ?

2. Also, how does your system perform in bass ? I dont see any additional Sub-woofer in your music system...Is CJ able to drive your Totem Model 1 speakers to fill the room even without a sub ?

3. What isyour musical preference ? I like Instruments, vocals, jazz and occasional pop.

I have the same dilemma..I am building a system for myself with Sonus Faber Cremona Auditors. I dont know whether CJ CAV 50 (or) Cary SLI 80 that has system synergy with Auditors and which one can drive auditors to fill my room (20 x 20 x 18 ).

Thanks
grakesh

Having owned both Cary and C-J gear (in fact, after tomorrow I'll be running with a Cary pre and C-J amp), my assessment is that the sounds are cut from swatches of the same sonic cloth. It may come down to characteristics of your speakers (SLI delivers 80 wpc vs 40 for the C-J) and user oriented features. For example the Cary comes with a remote, the C-J does not. Nonetheless, from a value perspective, the CAV-50 was probably one of the best in terms of high end tube electronics. I never understood why C-J discontinued it.