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Cary SLI-80 vs Cary 300SEI

I have Silverline Sonatina II's, with REL Strata III, and they seem like long term keepers. I'm also real happy with the Cary family sound, using Cary SLI-80 and Cary 303/100. No sonic need to upgrade, everything sounds great, but hey you know the itch. I did not reach this point by stopping every time things sounded ok, I was always shooting for better. My speakers are 8 ohm and 92 db or 93 db (I forget). How much of an upgrade is Cary 300SEI vs Cary SLI-80, run in triode with KT88's? IS it an upgrade, or just a different mix? My speakers are already warm sounding, would a 300B based integrated be too warm sounding? Please share your experience comparing these two great amps! Cables are a mix of Audience AU24 and Quattrofil.
Thanks!
Art
artmaltman

Showing 2 responses by nickt

nickt
172 posts
 
Art,
I had owned your speakers and both Cary amps in the past. I still have a 300SEI amp in my bedroom system.
It will definitely be an upgrade path for you, since your speakers are very easy to drive.

The 300sei will be better in the following ways:

1. Pure Class A design.
2. 300B tubes.

And don't let the 15w fool you, it sounds more powerfull than my 200W HT amp!

Nick T.
nickt
172 posts
 
Art,
For me the biggest improvement was in the purity of the midrange and the top end extension. Female voices become more life like. Instruments are fuller and bigger. Your sweetspot also become more 3d, and everything has more air around it.
For your information, my main system is:
Wadia 27se transport and dac, w/ reference mods by GNS.
Krell 450 monoblocks
Talon Firebird w/ diamond tweeters.
Mit oracle cables and elrod statement powercords.

Let me know what you think if you do try the 300sei.
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