Cary SLI-80 F1 & Special Edition or CJ Combo?

On paper the Helicon does not appear to be an ideal match for a tube system. If you are dead set on tube amplification, I know there are better candidates for speakers within the same price range. As I recall, Cary had a 120S powering Helicon speakers @ RMAF 07 and it was nothing special.
OTOH, if you are dead set on those speakers and amps, I would go with the Cary since it offers more power.

How about that difference up or down you would get going from say an SLI-80 F1 to an SLP-98 and mono's or stereo. Does anyone know if Cary ever plans to come out with an SL stereo tube amp to match up with SLI & SLP line? Is the SLP Line Stage significantly better than the SLI-80?

Jd thanks for the response. So you are very happy with the F1 triode. Did you worry about giving up the pentoide option? I have Dali Helicon MK'2 and am wondering if I wouldn't want to have that extra 40 watts in reserve for the right music and conditions. I would most likely spend most if not all my time in triode myself. Are the sonic improvements for straight triode worth giving up the switchability? Thanks

I have the F1 all triode. Pheniominal amp and one of the very best headphone amps at any price! Never heard CJ, but know they are a fine American company as well. Best of luck!

Thanks again. I have not had the chance to audition them yet. I know what I like but have not had the chance to hear them both. The Cary seems to be more of a "pure" tube amp with P/P wiring and no circuit boards. Thereason I through the CJ in the mix is that for the same price as the F1 I could get 9/10 mid-level CJ pre (PV15) & amp (MV60SE w/6550 output tubes. I already have excellent Kimber interconnects. I have read all the reviews and I know that Dennis Had at Cary is one of the Grandaddy's of the tube scene and highly respected. But then so it CJ for simple circuits and top drawer parts. I just don't know the difference in sound. I guess I'm just programmed to think seperates are inherently better. Maybe I should look at Cary seperates?$$$$.

CJ has a distinctly different sonic than Cary. Have you auditioned them? I would think that you would find the difference substantial enough to drive your decision.
FWIW an integrated can be a very smart decision it spares you the expense of a pre and avoids interconnects.

Thanks. The Cary is great stuff but I'm struggling with the idea of an integrated over separets. Especially CJ stuff.

CJ is great stuff, but I'm a huge Cary guy now. I love the warm sound it produces. All of the F1 stuff from Upscale Audio is stellar.