2. amps-preamps
  3. 1114642909

Cary CAD-572SE MK2

I have Vienna Acoustic Beethoven Grands, with a BAT VK-31SE pre. I am in the process of purchasing this Cary SET amp. Am I going to have a problem with synergy? I have never owned a tubed power amp, just pre-amps. It will be replacing a BAT VK-200, so it seems like it's going to be a huge drop in power. I called Cary today to check on whether or not this amp would drive my speakers and in the middle of the conversation, I realized I was talking to Dennis Had(DAMN!) Anyway Dennis said that it would drive my speakers with ease.
I guess I just want some reinforcement from other Gon'ers that, I am not screwing up too much.
jdodmead

Showing 10 responses by jdodmead

jdodmead OP
257 posts
 
I meant he had nothing to gain, because I am buying used.
jdodmead OP
257 posts
 
John, Cableplex
I cannot turn back at this point, so I will have to give it a try. I can always resell without much of a loss, if any. Although I am confused as to why Dennis would knowingly tell me something that in your eyes is not true. He had nothing to gain.
Thanks for your input
Jeff
jdodmead OP
257 posts
 
Well, after reading your comments, I'm not feeling super about what I have done, but we'll see what happens. I am meeting the seller in a couple of hours to complete the transaction and hopefully will get in a little listening yet tonight. I will post my thoughts(good or bad) tomorrow or Saturday. You may find them in the classifieds.(I hope
not)
Jeff
jdodmead OP
257 posts
 
I fired them up and listened for only an hour last night so these observations are preliminary. My pre has to be turned up to 110, where it used to be 65 to acheive the same listening level. I don't know how far it goes and if it is harder on the pre.
I can tell that I have lost some bass and I was expecting a little more airyness. This was only with a couple of cd's, I will try the tt when I get home today. So far,I am a little disappointed, but I am in no hurry to make any decisions(I may just fall in love with them over the week-end).
Maybe my expectations were too high in the first place.
jdodmead OP
257 posts
 
So much for being disappointed. I have done a lot of listening and I now am very pleased with my purchase. These amps are awesome. I think I was trying to play too loud to start with and I think they may have been sitting a while without any play time. I have plenty of bass and the soundstage is to die for.
I still am concerned about the heat and tube life, but I think I will hang on to these until I upgrade and then probably still in the Cary line. I love the Cary sound, not that I don't like my BAT products, but there is just something about the Cary sound that draws me to it.
jdodmead OP
257 posts
 
I did receive an extra set of 572's when I received the amps.
Dennis Had also mentioned around 9 months would be the anticipated life span of the tubes. He also suggested sending in the amps to be upgraded to a different tube for a $1000. I thought I would wait until these went and then I would sell the amps(with the spare set of tubes)and then upgrade to one of the newer models.
If I did want to buy extra tubes, any Idea what they cost?
jdodmead OP
257 posts
 
My room is approx 14 x 24 and the speakers are on the long wall in the center. I sit 7-8 feet from them and there is a 56" rear projection tv between them. It's a full function system.
Jeff
jdodmead OP
257 posts
 
Tom,
Was it from a private party or a dealer? I have been doing some searches online and it doesn't seem like there are a lot of options. I am new to tubes, so I may be missing something.
thanks,
Jeff
jdodmead OP
257 posts
 
Did I say these amps sound awesome? Even digital sounds good. Don't want to start a flame, I am just very happy with my purchase.
thanks for listening
jeff
jdodmead OP
257 posts
 
Buying used helps, you can usually recover your money, if you don't like them. I'm sure your Strauss sound great with all that power. It's just a different sound, with the tubes, that I really like. Not necessarily better than SS.
Hopefully you will get another chance to try some.

Jeff
More to discover