2. amps-preamps
  3. 162703-141023

Amp recommendations

Looking for some advice. My 25 year old amp has given up the ghost and I haven’t kept up with what’s good out there. Instead of sinking money in my existing amp, I’m thinking of replacing it. The amp that went bad is a Cary Audio CAD 300B (none of the tubes are working, one of the rectifiers flashes when turned on, I checked the tube fuses). The preamp is a Cary Audio SLP-70 (I recently had it checked out and retubed it). The speakers are Chapman T-7. I also have a Creek CD-60 and Project 1.2 turntable. Music Meter inter connects. My budget is around $4000 for a new amp. Is this a reasonable budget? What amp recommendations do you have? I’d prefer to stay with vacuum tube but if there are solid state amps that you’d recommend, please do so. I can provide specs on the components if needed. Thanks for your advice.
z32kerber

Showing 2 responses by decathlon1991

decathlon1991
220 posts
 
Buy a used Krell Evolution 302, 302e, 402, or a 402e. You won’t regret it. There are a couple out there to choose from. 
decathlon1991
220 posts
 
If you change any equipment or cable, your sound will change no matter what. It’s not good for anyone including myself to push what you should or shouldn’t change. Some of these opinions offered will change your sound including who repairs your amplifier. Sorry to be the bare of bad news. You need to formulate your own decisions. Fix your amp or not, buy a new Or used one within your budget or change your speakers. Do your homework before you purchase. Have a listen if you can. Check out The Music Room On line to see what pops up. If you don’t like the amp or speaker you purchased, they have a good return policy on used gear. Some otheR companies do as well. Don’t listen to opinions because folks can have the same exact equipment but because their room is shaped differently and they also may have different furniture, curtains or layout, it will sound different. I hope that helps. 

PS. I use to own the Cary Audio CAD805AE with the 300B tube in it so I understand where you are coming from. I currently own a Krell Evolution 402e but I’m running a pair of Wilson Audio Maxx 2’s. I ran this on the Cary amps as well. I’m currently still running the Cary SLP05 preamp with the Ultimate Upgrade and I tube rolled it. It sounds amazing. On the tube side, I have the McIntosh MC2301 monoblock amplifiers for the same speakers as well. I switch between the amplifiers depending on how I’m listening to music. Best of both worlds. The sound is different but I love both of the sounds with either amplifier. Not saying you have to do that. I’m a bit extreme. 
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