I think replacing the amp is the most cost-effective alternative at this point. I do not listen to music very loud (past 9 o'clock) in general. My listening room is quite large - 22X25 with 17 foot ceilings. Any ideas on amps under $1,200. Can I still use a tube amp? Also, what does it mean to be load tolerant? Thanks.
My Cary 2A3 dilemma 2
First, thanks to everyone who took the time to respond to my last post when I fried my Cary amp the first time I hooked it up. It turned out that everyone diagnosed the problem correctly, even the guy that suggested I inserted the 2A3's incorrectly. Turns out I had one of the pins in the wrong place and it blew a rectifier. Luckily I bought this amp on this site from Jeff's Sound Values who fixed it without charge. I offered to pay and they still did it gratis....good people. Lesson learned- Do not hook up stereo equipment after an afternoon of adult beverages.
Anyway, this leads me to my current dilemma. I bought the Cary so that I could experience the tube sound that I have read so much about. I was looking for a more warm and lush sound. The Cary replaces an old Counterpoint SA-12 which I was actually very happy with, especially for a $300 amplifier. I was kind of disappointed when I heard the Cary. The Cary has less detail and dynamics and I might even go so far as to say that the Counterpoint is more "warm". I'm wondering if this is just a mismatch with my speakers. I am using Canton RCL's. Not knowing anything about these speakers, I would appreciate any comments on this possible bad combo given the speakers specs. My Cary is the 15 wpc 2-channel variety, not the monoblocs.
3-ways, bass reflex, impedance: 4...8 ohms, Nominal/Music Power Output: 200/350 watts, Frequency Response: 18...300000 Hz, SPL (1W in 1m): 89 db, Crossover Frequencies: 300/3500 Hz, Woofer: 2 x 220 mm. Midrange: 180 mm, Tweeter: 25 mm
Thanks in advance- Lee
Anyway, this leads me to my current dilemma. I bought the Cary so that I could experience the tube sound that I have read so much about. I was looking for a more warm and lush sound. The Cary replaces an old Counterpoint SA-12 which I was actually very happy with, especially for a $300 amplifier. I was kind of disappointed when I heard the Cary. The Cary has less detail and dynamics and I might even go so far as to say that the Counterpoint is more "warm". I'm wondering if this is just a mismatch with my speakers. I am using Canton RCL's. Not knowing anything about these speakers, I would appreciate any comments on this possible bad combo given the speakers specs. My Cary is the 15 wpc 2-channel variety, not the monoblocs.
3-ways, bass reflex, impedance: 4...8 ohms, Nominal/Music Power Output: 200/350 watts, Frequency Response: 18...300000 Hz, SPL (1W in 1m): 89 db, Crossover Frequencies: 300/3500 Hz, Woofer: 2 x 220 mm. Midrange: 180 mm, Tweeter: 25 mm
Thanks in advance- Lee