2. amps-preamps
  3. 193170-198816

Cary SLP 98 vs Benchmark LA4

Looking to replace my preamp. I used a Parasound PLD 2000 for 20 years or more and have no complaints. It lost the right channel and the culprit seems to be the balance pot. I have searched high and low and cannot find one. Parasound dealers have been no help. Most won't even answer. I have tried half a dozen different preamps from the used market and not been delighted with any of them. Nakamichi, other Parasound units, Forte, an Audio Valve (which got damaged in shipping and ended up going back). I really wanted to hear that last one.

Anyway, I drive two Parasound HCA 2200 II amps into Teledyne AR9 speakers, biamped. I have a Cary PH 301 phono pre. I listen to vinyl much more than I do CD's probably 80% of the time. I do not stream any music. I know it's all "old school" but I am mostly very pleased with what I hear.  Does anyone have any thoughts on these two preamps? I think the Cary is made to drive more than one amplifier. No idea on the Benchmark or whether one of these suits my needs more than the other. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks,

Bill

billpete

Showing 5 responses by immatthewj

immatthewj
2,771 posts
 

and I forget what is in the 05

6SN7s.

immatthewj
2,771 posts
 

@billpete , I picked up a secondhand and modded SLP 90 back in '99, and I really loved what it did for my system.  That typed, prior to that I had a B&K digital HT pre, so I probably could only go up from there.  Anyway, that SLP 90 did have 12AU7s in it, and I remember being real happy and having lots of fun with the sound after Andy of Vintage Tubes set me up with some vintage Mullards for that.  (At the time I had a pair of ARC VTM 120s that Andy sold me some vintage 6922s for the front of, and the system really seemed to mesh.)

Anyway, a few years ago (I've lost track) I upgraded to the 6SN7 based SLP 05.  Not nearly as warm, but the detail struck me as incredible when I first put it in my system.  

immatthewj
2,771 posts
 

A preowned SLP 98 may come up on their site.

immatthewj
2,771 posts
 

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. 

And be aware, @billpete , that if you order it from Cary Direct and have them do the upgrades before shipping it, I am pretty sure that this voids the audition clause of the contract.  Meaning that if they upgrade it before they sell it to you, they are not taking it back if you change your mind.

 

immatthewj
2,771 posts
 

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. 

It has been a while since I've been on Cary Direct's site, but I am about 99.9% positive that they had that disclaimer about no return if one ordered an upgrade on the gear one ordered from them.

That typed, the SLP 05 I bought was a unit that Cary Direct was selling as preowned, and I did order and pay for "The Ultimate Upgrade" and I had no desire whatsoever to send it back.  

And, if you were to buy a unit that offered 30 day audition and the one you ordered had already been upgraded, I don't see how that could effect the audition period.  

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