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 2 responses by ozzy62

ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,292 posts
 

You could hardly pick two different sounding preamps if you set out to. I’ve owned both and didn’t care for either.

 

Depending on the vintage of the Cary, it’s a colored preamp. At least the earlier version I had was. I know the newer F1 versions are more transparent. So that might be worth a shot.

The Benchmark is very transparent but to my ears was clinical and not very involving at all. And I love a good passive pre, this wasn’t like that at all.

 

ozzy62's avatar
ozzy62
3,292 posts
 

The Benchmark ultimately added a “sheen” to the overall sonic picture. Although it was dynamic and pretty transparent on first listen, it grew fatiguing over time.

My version of the Cary preamp was at the opposite end of the spectrum. It was warm and lush to a fault. No snap or leading edge of a note. Like I said above, later and upgraded versions are probably a different animal.

BTW, I owned these two preamps 20+ years apart.

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