Is the Cary SLP-05 still relavant?

The stock SLP-05 sounds much better incrementally with an upgrade to a NOS GZ34 tube rectifier as well as the 6SN7 tubes.  Each move resulted in a much better sound than with the stock tubes. 

I landed on a Mullard or Mullard made f32 rectifier along with Sylvania 1950s 6SN7GTA tubes.  

If you like the way it looks take a photo because it probably won’t last. My V/U lights were constantly burning out. Customer service was rude, arrogant, stupid & expensive. I’ll never buy another Cary.

My comment from 2018:

https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/848038

@thegoldengoose you wrote in 2018

My experience with Cary’s service was so bad I never unboxed my unit. I could never recommend this brand.

Did you have trouble opening the box???  Your comment does not make sense.  

@testpilot After getting my unit back from the Ultimate Upgrade I listened to it for about a week before one V/U light burned out. I specifically told them to put in new bulbs at the time of the upgrade. Sent it back and then never re-opened the box. 

I have read many negative comments on forums over the years about Cary’s service department. Plus bad customer service. Are they really to be avoided? If so I’m scratching the SPL-05 pre amp off of my list. 

I have read many negative comments on forums over the years about Cary’s service department. Plus bad customer service. Are they really to be avoided? If so I’m scratching the SPL-05 pre amp off of my list. 

@charliee , I am biased because I remember when I felt that Cary's customer service was so good it was a selling point for me (that was back in the Dennis Had/Kirk Owens days).  In my opinion, their customer service has deteriorated since then, and four or five years ago when I needed help with an amp, I didn't get it from Cary, I got it (help) on another audio forum.  However, I do own a SLP 05 and I love it, but I hope I never need tech support for it.  It kind of reminds me of what i once read about after we switched from Blue Cross/Blue Shield to an HMO about 30 years ago:  "It's great as long as you don't get sick."  (And then it went down hill from there.)

With all that typed, that is just my opinion, and I've actually read a couple of posts by folks who were pleased with the tech support they received from Cary.

So, I am torn between two choices, the Cary SLP 05 with ultimate upgrade, or the Canary C1600 Reference.  Has anyone had the opportunity to compare the two. 

Currently I have a VAC Standard upgraded to a statement, a Cary SLP 98, upgraded with phono section as well, and an ARC SP3. I am leaning towards the Canary, but I haven't heard it.  But the build quality seems far superior. 

@millenniumpower

I have the Cary and have enjoyed it since January of 2021. I use it to drive a McIntosh MC312 power amp. The Class A triode sound is as nice as I could ask for in every respect but most of all dynamics, snap, speed and refinement. I use Sylvania 6SN7GTA and a NOS Mullard GZ34 rectifier. It has plenty of gain and is quite versatile.

I have never heard the Canary but the 10db gain would give me a bit of hesitation because I have had preamps with only 10db of gain and they lacked drive and energy compared to those with at least 15db. Also the Canary has only single ended RCA connections, the Cary lets me connect to my amplifier and two sources with balanced connections- the sources sound so much better using the balanced connections. The Cary does have RCA connections too.

Mine does not have the ultimate upgrades but I have no reason at all to send it in for the work. It sounds beautiful and powerful and much better than the SLP98 which I had for a while.