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Cary Audio. SLM-100 Against Golden Tube Se-200

Which one should i keep between this 2 amps for the next 5 years and so?
The SLM-100 which at 65 watts hard wire in triode which the manufacturer is still strongly in business or
The Golden Tube Audio SE-200 at 200 watts which the manufacturer is out of business.
Both are pair of monoblocks.
My speakers are Vandersteen 3A (might sell soon)and Merlin TSM-MM on order or find the right speaker later to keep and match to the right amp.My listening room size (B/R) is measuring 13'x 15'x 9 h.I listened mostly soft rock and jazz.
pescolar
michg56
11 posts
 
Any Golden Tube product you purchase should be upgraded with superior parts. Once upgrade, Golden Tube amps are one of the best buys in high end audio. I have owned both the Cary SLM-100 and Golden Tube SE-40 amps. Although Cary makes great products, a modified Golden Tube amp is superior to Cary amps and cost much less. My one suggestion however is to consider the SE-40 monoblocks over the SE-200. The SE-200 is very rare and not much is know about it. Their are numerous modifiers of Golden Tube SE-40's. For all kinds of input and help, see the Golden tube forum at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/golden_tube/
pescolar OP
128 posts
 
Michg56,
If Se-200 is rare and very seldom to see one for sale,is this mean probably a good amp to keep ( powerfull amp ),especially when upgraded ?.DO i need to upgrade the amp and spend money or i can leave it as is for now ?Thank you for your info.
soundofvoid's avatar
soundofvoid
5 posts
 
You must be kidding.There is no contest.Golden tube of course.One hint:change the EL-34s with KT-88s for an even
better sound(dynamics-bass)Leave it as is if you like it
mellow.Top match:SEP-3 preamp (i think there is one for sale in Audiogon right now).I had it,sold it to get the
Sonic Frontiers Line-3 and sometimes i wake up in the middle of the night seeking that magic something i lost.
mel-inc
1 posts
 
I don't know each personal taste on the sound/build quality of these amps. The Cary SLM mono blocks are my favorites. They have 100 WPC and with the correct tubes, will blow away anything in the price range. You would need to spend $10K to get a better power amp set up.
mikirob
955 posts
 
I've owned both Cary and Golden Tube, the SE-40 as well as 300b model. I currently own Cary 280 v12 and SEI 300b. I always liked the Golden Tube amps, fortunately I never had problems before I sold them in favor of Cary. Personally, I like the Cary much, much better; but remember I had stock Golden Tube, no upgrade from Soniccraft which does great upgrades to the Golden Tube. I believe they are located in Arkansas.

If you decide to go with Golden Tube you must get the upgrade and better to get the SE-40. The upgrade package is slightly less than $300plus labor. Soniccraft also has an even better package for around $500.
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