Cary Audio SLP-05 First Impression

Glad you got it fixed. Now about the bright sound.  Refer back to page-1 of this thread. There is a reason three different people chimed in about the stock EH 6SN7 tubes. This is where you indicated the following about replacement:

@xcool "I’ll keep your EH 6SN7 suggestion in mind. I’m sure I’ll get that itch one day to try out some tube rolling, but I know very little about it." 

For now, It may be best to simply enjoy it for a few hundred hours. See if it settles down some more. If not, refer back to page 1. My EH6SN7s have been in the Cary preamp box since the first week I owned it. Spare test tubes at best. Bright, grainy. 

@xcool will MD offer you 30 days to resolve with Cary and still issue you a refund in the event Cary cannot fix it within reason?   I ask because MD would end up sending it back to Cary anyhow.  I'd ask Cary in advance to cover shipping costs. The only other thought is to have someone test all of your tubes, checking to see if a few of them shorted out, grounding out, causing protection to trigger or something else going on there. 

@xcool a few questions for ya, if known. Agree with others, give it a lot more time.

1) what 6SN7 tubes came with it (EH?)

2) and, the 10 Mundorf caps were installed, correct?

3) How many hours do you have on the SLP-05 now before/after upgrades?

i.e. some years ago Cary use to run them for 2-3 days before sending them out. Not sure if they do that any more. Caps, transformers, tubes all settle in. I used to see people pulling the generic stock EH tubes in the 05 and using Popes instead, fwiw. Wondering what they sent ya.

Having used those same caps in three different upgrades (preamps and amps), let me share right up front the break-in and cap forming cycle can be "aggravating" to say the least, on those. Prepare for what we call "the rollercoaster ride" on those Mundorfs. I was warned too before my first try. It’s true. I emailed the Mundorf factory and they confirmed this for me while I was getting to be very impatient. Sounded bad new. Seems like it took forever. Finally got there. YES, the sound is going to change at 100 & 200hrs, some say up to ~300hrs. I heard changes even at 300hrs. No joke. I use the same caps in my (other brand) current monos. Mine sound different now, much more engaging, nice tone, texture, smoothness and more after the 200 and 300hr mark. Patience will pay off.  Your experience may vary. I had to look again at the upgrade itself, link.

@xcool if you have not done so, take a look at that link above, it describes the upgrade and components.  The Mundorfs are obvious if you decide to lift the hood.

6SN7: after burn-in I never quite adjusted to the stock EH 6SN7 tubes in my own Cary preamp, fwiw.  Mine are back in their original boxes for safe keeping.  

After the 200hr point, if you still feel its not the sound you want, it might be worth it to start exploring SLP-05 owners threads for other 6SN7 options. 

@xcool Now I know what all that fuss and craze of tube pre/power amps are about. I guess you simply have to experience it to appreciate it. ...

Yes, congratulations in order, after you get your replacement back. Darn shippers, it happens, even when double-boxed by Cary. Argh, keep your fingers crossed. Fwiw, the upgrades DO make a real difference. Brings it up another level. Any informed Cary owner will share this.

It’s too bad you cannot splurge and do the upgrades now, before shipping it out again. Saves you added shipping damage-risk again later. Best of luck.

@xcool "... I’m sure I’ll get that itch one day to try out some tube rolling, but I know very little about it. May I ask you what tubes are you currently using?"

Yep, with your fairly new preamp and burn-in going on, maybe save the "new tubes" idea for a next-chapter. Those stock EH tubes will get you through preamp burn-in cycle to start. The tubes I’m using (now) are not vintage NOS any more. I keep those hoarded away. Finding matched pairs and matched quads is difficult, costly.

There are various, and availability changes by tube seller and the best recommendation is to call a reputable tube seller who offers a guarantee.

For NOS, was previously using a tightly matched quad of Sylvania Black Plates, mid 60s, and past few years using new production TJ Full Music 6SN7s, and awaiting some of the latest PSVANE CV181-TIIs, soon. I missed out on the good Shuguang’s a few years back. Note, again, a good tube reseller (specialist) is where I’d start since you are new to this, when u are ready. Brent Jesse, Andy at Vintage tubes, Jim McShane are a few to note for vintage stuff. I’ve given up on vintage or NOS 6SN7s, rare, few matched pairs/quads out there, and way too costly. New production here forward. Best of luck.

@xcool if its a long ways to ship it back to Cary Audio, seems like it would be easier/faster to have a local shop tech test all eight 6SN7s and your 5AR4 rectifier tube for you.  Depending on what city you are close to, there are usually audio/electronics people around or guitar amp people with tube testers around.  ID your city and you may have someone near you on this forum or AudioCircle, or AudioAsylum / TubeAsylum. Toooob Heads are everywhere or somewhere in a basement geeking out on their tooooobs and testing equipment. LOL Hahaha.  

@xcool  sounds like you've covered the bases and taking the next steps for resolution.  After its fixed, since you've been through this twice on two units, I'd suggest that you push them to hang on to it for 3-4 more days longer, turning it on/off, letting it run all day, thoroughly testing and validating it before shipping it back to you. Seems like a PITA right now but it will pay off w/this extra step.  

A member colleague on another site had a triple round-trip on a different preamp that had a chronic issue and finally got it resolved. He loves the unit now, but it got pretty dicey there for a while til multiple parts got replaced inside.  Hang in there.  

@immatthewj Yep, same guy and thread with that other preamp. A 1 of 500 kind of issue that finally got resolved I gather. The V12R is a little different beast. Larger main transformer, runs different f/e tubes instead of 6922, 12Bz7 TV tubes Dennis liked years ago. No need for all of that, a standard V12 with really good coupling caps, hexfreds, and good input tubes can be very nice. Since you bring it up, there was a revision I found of the oper manual that did not get updated on the published link. My tech shared with me and the former designer (after DH) concluded running 280ma per side was ridiculous, and no need to go above 200ma per side, it will help save your tubes, fuses, and transformers and still sounds great. Enjoy.