Manley stingray or Cary sli 80 sig

I'm not a huge fan of how the Stingray looks. It's probably because I've seen pictures of EveAnna Manley who reminds me of my buddy Billy's lesbian sister Renie.

Wow, I just realized that I've been going about it the wrong way all these years. I've stupidly been selecting my audio gear based on how it sounds. I never realized that I should have been choosing gear based on unfounded innuendo and undeserved character slurs. Silly me...

I have owned the original Stingray and the Rouge Tempest Magnum.

I preferred the Stingray by a wide margin for it's clear, sweet, and ballsy sound. Excellent bass for a 40WPC tube integrated. Tube magic is there in spades, maybe it's because of the EL84 tubes, but I found it very involving to listen to. Put some NOS Mullards in for the preamp tubes, and it is truly exceptional. It punches well above it's price point. Only downside IMO was lack of a remote. The latest version does have a remote, but is more expensive, and has less power. I have not heard it, so I couldn't comment on the sonics of the Stingray II.

I thought the Rogue was ok, but the most "untubey" sounding tube component I have heard. It was exceptionally transparent, but almost solid state sounding and a bit sterile IMO.

I have not heard the Cary.

Owning both, the Stingray in either Ultra Linear or Triode, with well-matched speakers will be the better economic and sonic choice for your room. Buy the Stingray and trade your Quad 11L speakers up for a something with more efficiency and dynamic range.

With the money saved on the Stingray and what you should get for your Quads, find a pair of Monitor Audio PL 100 or GS 10 speakers. Having a 10’ x 10’ room, you’ll have more than adequate sound pressure. Moreover, with a Stingray in Triode, you’ll have the added benefit of tube presence and more aural pleasure in listening.

If your room was larger, and you were starting with something like a pair of Genesis 7.1 or Paradigm Reference Studio Esprits, the Cary would be the answer. Just leave this as the next amp in your progression in sonic enjoyment.

Cary SLI-80, all the way ..........