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Cary vs Raven

It's about time to replace the 20+ year old Prima Luna.  Based on my limited researches and the positive on Audiogon, I'm leaning toward either a Cary SLI-80HS or CAD-300SEI, and the Raven Blackhawk.  I currently have Forest Totem speakers, but am looking to get some Klipsch Heresy or Fortes.  On paper the SLI-80HS and Blackhawk look pretty similar to me, and I've been intrigued with the 300 B tube.  This is the last amp I will buy, so want to make sure it's the best my budget can manage.  I listen to classical in a small size room (15'x15'x9'), so I don't need a lot of power.   

Anyone out there had a chance to compare these amps?  If so, what is the verdict?  And how about the various upgrades available for each?  Thanks in advance for your advice.

jrcotner

Showing 3 responses by immatthewj

immatthewj
1,173 posts
 

  I say this based on experience.  I purchased a pair of Joseph Audio Perspectives and learned I probably can’t afford the electronics to fully understand how good the speakers are.

@testrun  , this is not a rhetorical question or a question intended to start an argument, as I believe that the electronics in front of a speaker are important, but what do you think that it would take to get those JAs to live up to their potential?

immatthewj
1,173 posts
 

@jrcotner  , I probably do everything backwards myself.  About 30 years ago I had a pair of pretty cheap NHT speakers (that I actually liked) and then I bought my first tube amp to pair them with and I liked them (the speakers) even more.  Then I bought a pair of B&Ws I REALLY liked with that first tube amp.  Down the road I have had a couple of more tube amps, but I still have those B&Ws.

My thought was that it's easier to get an amp and take it to various stereo places to try out speakers than drag speakers around to try out amps.

I think what would be ideal is if you could find a way to audition both the electronics and the speakers in your home.  What I will say about CaryDirect, is that they advertise that they will allow an audition period (without going to their site, I think it is either 30 or 60 days) with no strings (except shipping) attached.  And that is if you do not order any upgrades with the equipment from CaryDirect.

Music Direct also offers an audition period that I think is 60 days.

I actually own a couple of Cary pieces in my system--an amp from the Dennis Had days and a preamp from the "new" Cary.  The customer service/tech support isn't anywhere close to being as good now than it was in the Dennis had days, but I still like the product.

 

 

immatthewj
1,173 posts
 

FWIW, I have a couple of Cary pieces I bought used and have had good customer support convos even though the used equipment isn't covered under any warranty.

@rjsully0467  , you've had better luck than I have.  Do you remember who you spoke to?

The last time I needed tech support on an amp (this would have been in the summer of '20) and I called them, I was told to email their tech support.  Since they didn't reply to the email I sent them, I emailed them again, and then all they told me was basically what their shop rates for repair work was and to ship them the amp if I wanted them to work on it. 

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