2. amps-preamps
  3. 194795-202116

Preamp question - Cary Clone

I'm thinking about getting back in after retirement.

My current setup is the Vandersteen 2Ce's (mid 90's), McCormack 0.5, reworked by McCormack, (mid-2000's) and a Marantz CD player.  The linestage is one that I designed and built myself. It essentially is a high input Z and low output Z, zero gain.  It's the weakest link in the system, so I thought I'd start with that. 

I have no idea where I'll end up with the system, but streaming and DAC's will be all new to me.  At this point, I'm not looking to replace the speakers and amp until I've a different preamp and streaming capability.  I like the tube preamp sound, but I'm not married to it.  In my early search for a preamp, I ran across this Cary clone.  Being not sure about the direction I'll take, I'm curious if anyone has experience with one of these, and would it be an inexpensive way to start to put the system together.  It's inexpensive enough, but I'm not that interested in something not better than what I have. Here's a link to one of those. 

HiFi Remote Control 12AU7/ECC82 Tube Preamplifier Refer US CARY-SLP90 Circuit | eBay

scooterbug

Showing 2 responses by linus_365

linus_365
3 posts
 

Hello,

I have this Cary SLP90 Clone tube preamp.  I did eventually get it to sound very good after some minor work: replacement of the 3.3uf 400v caps with mundorf aluminum oil caps which are great value priced, and premium 12au7 tubes.

The online reviews on this preamp as stock are over the top exaggerated in my opinion when compared to my custom tube preamp but I never expected it to be that good anyway. Stock the soundstage is very big, and the mid-range is a touch opaque. Replacement with the I expensive mundorf Alu. Oil resolved the opaque issue. Also it took a long time to burn in and sounded harsh prior to getting lots of hours with the Mundorf caps. Definitely highly recommended as a high value proposition tube Preamp! Go for it. The caps are not expensive and it's easy enough to swap out yourself if you can solder. A few of the small white Vishay caps were cold soldered so I just added more solder all good. Sounds very good in my secondary system. Excellent high value purchase I do not regret.

linus_365
3 posts
 

Furthermore,I see from scooterbug considering now considering a new preamp. I've had many preamps in my system and most were expensive disappointments so I don't necessarily agree that buying a big name preamp will be a guarantee. 

Inherently, being an Audiophile already means you probably will be disappointed with some gear from a statistical stand point. But I do agree that if you have a good brick & mortor vendor you can bring your preamp in to compare and then take the finalist home for demo is the lowest risk way to go as long as you can still return it if not happy. Regardless, happy hunting!

More to discover