2. amps-preamps
  3. 178082-128566

ARC Reference 6 or Cary SLP 05 with upgrade?

Yeah, it's me again. The Voyager has settled in nicely and I think I would benefit from a better preamp. A friendly local dealer dropped by today with a ARC LS28. That was headed in the right direction but was not close to a $12,000 improvement. I could probably swing a used ARC Reference 6, but somehow the Cary SLP 05 has caught my attention. Everything I read about it is very positive but I don't know if it would lend more of a full sound than increased transparency. Has anyone been able to compare these two directly? 

Currently: Bricasti M3 > Rogue RP-7 > LSA Voyager > Fyne F1-8

One of the things that appeals to me about the Cary, aside from cost, is it uses 6sn7 tubes which are now being manufactured by Lin Lai and have a reputation for great sonics.

Anyway, I await your wisdom. 

markmuse

Showing 5 responses by charles1dad

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 

@markmuse 

Congratulations! You have to choose what best fits your specific needs and circumstances. I hope you find the time to post your listening impressions of your ARC Reference 6SE.

Charles

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 

Even the 12 db gain of the REF 6SE is very likely far more than is needed with a high output DAC.

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 

@markmuse

ARC REF 6SE

Balanced =12 db of gain.

Single Ended= 6 db of gain.

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 

Excess audio system gain is something that needs to be factored in. A high output DAC coupled with a high gain preamp (And higher sensitivity speakers) can result is a very limited functional range of use for volume control.

Charles

charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,236 posts
 

@markmuse 

I agree that both preamplifiers are can't lose propositions. The Cary has several particular intriguing aspects.

1 A separate high quality robust power supply.

2  Utilization of the terrific 6SN7 which provides far more choices than the 6H30 in the ARC Reference (If tube rolling is appealing for you).

3 The Ultimate upgrade package is said by many to be a very worthwhile, cost effective and quite meaningful improvement of the power supply and signal path coupling capacitors.

Charles

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