And now a word from our “Better Late Than Never” department:
I came across this post while searching for something else. But the title grabbed my eye, since I currently own BOTH a Cary CAD-808R Rocket 88 amp, and a Cary SLI-80 integrated. Both have the F1 mods, and then some.
Given the choice between the two, I would take the SLI-80 hands down 100%.
While both have similar power ratings (Rocket 88 = 30/60 watts Triode/Ultralinear, SLI-80 = 40/80 watts Triode/Ultralinear), the SLI-80 produces FAR more effective power and gets MUCH louder before clipping than the Rocket 88. In fact, 40 Triode watts from the SLI-80 sounds better, and gets MUCH louder, than 60 Ultralinear watts from the Rocket 88 (at least in my system, anyway). I really don’t understand how / what that is, but believe me, it’s true.
Once possible caveat: My speakers are 4 ohms nominal, and drop to 2 ohms at certain frequencies. So, it is possible that what I’m finding is the Rocket hates low impedance loads, and/or the SLI-80 doesn’t mind them.
Don’t get me wrong, the Rocket is a great amp, and I am a big fan of Cary’s
gear. Huge bang for the buck, even at retail costs. But the SLI-80 is waaaay
better, everything else being equal.
As always, your mileage may Cary – oops, I man vary. ;-)
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