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 1 response by jdal

jdal
164 posts
 

Take a look at the Universal 6 or 12SN7 preamp from Mellow Tone Kits. You can buy it assembled if you want. I had the Cary SLP-98 many years ago and replaced it with an Emotive Audio Sira and then the Epifania, which I still own.

I have many nice pairs of NOS 6SN7 tubes and wanted to use them instead of them just sitting in storage so I built this kit. I'm going by memory but I think this preamp sounds better than the Cary. The tube filaments are powered by a SMPS, so you can swap between 6 volt and 12 volt tubes, which means 12SN7 tubes. And in addition, with tube socket convertors you can also use 12AU7 and 6GU7, 6FQ7, and 6CG7 tubes. It's a very musical preamp and fun for tube rolling. 

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