Cary vs Raven

@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.

I've owned the Cary Sli-80 and the Raven Blackhawk LE, though at different times and with different speakers. If I were to choose between them, without regard to the speakers, I'd buy the Raven. They were both fine amps but the customer support from Raven was exceptionally good, better than that from Cary.

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.

Rob

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. 

I would find the speakers I loved (and over buy) and then move through used equipment to find the amp(s) that work best. In my opinion gong in that order will provide the ability to hear the difference in electronics in your home environment.   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.  Anyway on the journey my system keeps going better as I research and play with amps, pre-amps and DACs.  It is also the best way to understand cables.  Just what I’ve found.  Sorry for running on just what I’ve experienced.