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
bigtwin's avatar
bigtwin
1,354 posts
 

The term "Clone" infers two products that are close to being identical.  You should be calling it what it actually is.  A knock off of the Cary product.  A Rolex knock off will tell time, but that doesn't make it a Rolex. Generally in life, you get what you pay for. IMHO.  Cheers.

bojack
683 posts
 

I'd also check out the two preamps from Quicksilver (available in remote or non-remote versions). These are affordable, sound fantastic (I've owned the non-remote version for 12 years), and don't come with cold solder joints that require you to find and repair!

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!

audition__audio
1,657 posts
 

Well the Cary, as is the case with many designs, is a clone of sorts of earlier designs.

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