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Cary vs Jadis vs Quad tube amps

I'm deciding between a new Cary-805C anniversary edition (with WE300B), a used Jadis-845, and a new Quad II-forty five amp/preamp combination. The new Cary and used Jadis are the same price, while the new Quads are half the price. I heard these all in different rooms and systems, so hard for me to make a fair comparison.

Anywhere have experience with the amps to help me decide? is it risky to buy a used tube amp? (i live in a different country from where I will be buying the amp)

I loved the sound of the Jadis-845 (didn't want to leave the demo room), felt the Cary was very competent, and found the Quads to be very balanced and fun to listen to. Again, the matching components were of varying quality, so I'm not sure how much to trust my ears alone.

My system includes Mark Levinson 39s CD player and B&W804s.
no_slouch

Showing 2 responses by trelja

trelja
3,226 posts
 
Agree with the thoughts about the Jadis. Simply incredible sound. My amp provided me with the best sound I have ever gotten out of my Coincidents, clearly superior to my heavily modified AtmaSphere M60 or Granite 861 monoblocks. The sound was tonally perfect to my ears. My good friend, Denis (Springbok10), has the amp now, and as you can tell, he seems satisfied. Rest assured, I will own another Jadis one day.

The one caveat I want to provide, however, is the support you will get from the Jadis. It may not be a problem, as they are fairly simply designed tube amps, but many have experienced reliability issues with the products. Couple that with the high cost and supposedly long wait regarding repair, and you might want to think about it. Personally, I'd contact the new North American distributor, Pierre Gabriel, to see how easily he will work with someone buying a used Jadis.
trelja
3,226 posts
 
Actually, I think you are in a better position than us, No_slouch. You don't have to deal with all of the stuff that went on with Jadis in the USA and Canada over the past 15 years. In the Far East, the brand is well respected on its merits alone. Based on that, and the fact that since you are a tube lover in China, you must obviously have capable hands in having the Jadis be serviced, if it is ever required. I think it's a wise move then.

Believe me, if the 845 is as good as their other stuff, you'll look for new speakers to mate with the amp instead of things being the other way around.

By the way, what city in China do you live in? My wife is from Shenyang.
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