Cary SLP 98 vs Benchmark LA4

I had the Benchmark LA4 and there were things that I liked about it, but in the end I replaced it with a Pass XP-12. This was a nice change and added some character back to the music. If you are limited to these two choices, I would lean towards the Cary. But my advice is to expand your choices if you are not convinced it is the barest solution. 

I owned the SLP-98 and I really enjoyed it but it certainly leans towards the warm side.  It may be a great match since you're a vinyl lover.  Can you audition it?

I think that the SLP-98 is a work of art. How long has it been in production? I keep it as a regular search item, because I enjoy seeing them in their different iterations. I've never heard one, but maybe one day. I tried a bit of Dennis Had's Inspire gear (two preamps and a power amp) with my Omega system for awhile before going to an Aric Unlimited II preamp. Nowadays I'm thinking I might like to try a 6SN7 based preamp.

So I'd love to pair an SLP98 with the Aleph 5. There's a sweet Jaguar red F1 version on the lists right now. On the other hand, I might like to hear the Benchmark as well, because I appreciate yyzsantabarbara's system choices.

I had an XP-12 briefly, and felt that it would require a system-wide makeover. I felt that my then current sources were not up to the resolving  potential of the XP-12. I found an X2.5 which I found to be quiet and musical, and still overbuilt. It has the infamous brick of a remote. I see two for sale today.

I suspect that you might like the Cary, given your existing phono pre. They both do seem to change hands often enough with continued interest. And if you would consider at some point, I'd enjoy a picture of the AR9s.

You can easily roll tubes to tailor the sound of a the Cary a bit.  You might be able to roll some opamps to tailor the Benchmark to your liking if you're up to it, but it's no where near as simple.  Just some food for thought.

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