Cary SLP 98 vs Benchmark LA4

Warm, as in normal "tube warm" or is there something more like a Cary signature of some sort?

I'm leaning toward the Cary, since I have always loved the PH 301. Rolled a lot of tubes in and out of that phono pre. The SLP 98L that I found, does not look to have any upgrades but is only 8 years old so not sure how much improved it is over the originals. I believe it sells as a 30 day money back trial. When I spoke to Cary Direct, they spoke of about 3 upgrades that they recommend the most. Seems to me, they should just do it automatically but not how it works. 

My SS components may lean a tad to the bright side, which is possibly why I favor the vinyl so much, at least in part. My room is also bright, which is something I'm working on. Log walls, 7 glass doors and 3 large windows. I'm starting to cover all glass with "soft absorbent coverings". It's a work in progress but I can hear improvements as I go.

I have watched Cary move from 12AX7 and 12AU7, to I think ECC88? and on to 6SN7 and I forget what is in the 05 but it is interesting to see that things progressed to a tube that was in every television set in the 1950's. I remember taking them to the stores to test when I was a kid. Tube testers were everywhere. Funny, how things "progress". 

Anyway, I've read so many things about the SLP 98 that I'm 90+% certain that I'd be happy with the Cary for the rest of my life. I know the Benchmark is a different animal and I may or may not like it. I would not if everything sounded sterile. Thanks,

Bill

Tried to post pics of my AR9's but can't figure out how. 

A couple other preamps up for consideration (if I miss the SLP98 or get talked out of it) are AR Ref Mk2 or Wells Audio Commander Level 2. Both available at reasonable prices. I know nothing of Wells, other than a few good comments here and there. AR gets mentioned all the time. Any advice on these or how to post images would be appreciated. Thanks,

Bill

6SN7 seems to be a favorite anymore. Interesting how it goes over the years.

I believe Cary is going to stop production of the SLP 98, this year. I have been watching used pieces mostly. I had not heard about the audition clause and warranty loss but it may well be. I'd been looking at a used one and a 30 day return policy was in place on it. 

Black matches my other components and all things being equal, I would choose black. If the best one was silver or red, I'd probably go for it. That said, I do keep my options open and other suggestions pique my curiosity as well.

To Ozzy62

What was it that you didn't like about the SLP 98 or the Benchmark? Most of the feedback that I am seeing on the LA4, is that it's too clean or sterile. That seems strange to me if it plays back what was recorded accurately but it sounds as though it is taking the life out of the recordings somehow. Not sure, but enough bad is being said that I'd likely steer clear of it.

As to the Cary, there are a lot of differences in vintage, upgrades and even tubes. I have found major differences in various tubes (nearly all of them very old vintage) over the years with my Cary phono stage. Interesting that you tried two very different products as well, one tube and one very modern SS. One of my thoughts is to bring tubes into my cd listening. Something I've never had but am interested to try. Cary and a lot of other preamps would do that for me. 

Thanks for the reply

LA4 is pretty new, SLP 98 goes waaaaaaaaaaay back, 27 years. I guess they thought enough of it to keep bringing it back with upgrades. The PH301 was similar and then on to the PH302, probably not a great deal different but I don't know. I have the first one and am still very happy with it. The 98 is still talked about by many people, as you know. I don't really get upgrade-itis, I just need a replacement for a tired old pre. Always wanted to try a full tube pre anyway. I've heard at least a few people claim that my old pre (Parasound PLD2000) had a tubey sound anyway. Whether it did or didn't, I can't really say. I just found it pleasant in my system. An old buddy of mine used a CJ, not sure of model and it was very nice in his system.

jdal

Thanks. It is interesting. I may pick one up to have my son build it. He wants to learn how to do this stuff anyway. Might be kind of fun. I'll probably still be searching for something with a remote but if this thing can sound better then an SLP 98, who knows. I do like the types like Cary (and this) with tubes out in the open. Makes rolling much easier and I do have a penchant for tube rolling. Intriguing suggestion and certainly very reasonably priced.

Retired and tony

The LA4 has great test numbers and specs. As we all know, there is more to it than good specs or tests. Plenty of hot discussions about that here. The Benchmark is not exactly what I was looking for but listening to the conversation with John Siau, made me at least consider it. I really want to try a tube preamp that has a remote, is designed to push two amplifiers and offers both XLR and RCA connections. Narrows it down pretty well. Thanks again for your input.

yyz

I read up on it and it does sound interesting. There was a nice long discussion about it here. It is a bit above what I had hoped to spend but I'm not ruling anything out just yet. Thanks for the suggestion.