Traded Off my SLP-05

Agree! Cable change and or xover parts change was next on the list.

@sqitis 

I truly hope you like the PS Audio BHK Sig.  I noticed PS Audio are selling these as a closeout for half price ($3499) and should be a fantastic deal and easily salable if you need to move on.

It is a Class A topology (The Cary is a Class A triode) so this should help give the sound life and dynamics.  However the gain on the PS Audio is just less than 10db.  Compared to the 17db of the Cary (Single ended) and 24 db (balanced) you may notice quite a big drop off in scale and verve.  

I've had my SLP-05 for 4 years now and with a Mullard NOS rectifier and Sylvania 6SN7 NOS tubes feeding a beefy McIntosh Solid State power amp I cannot ever think of selling it.  Clarity, detail, smoothness, polished musicality, the perfect amount of sweetness, massive sound stage and musical element separation and instant on transients / micro dynamics it is mine forever. 

Sure the meter lamps puke out every once in a while (I made my own fix) and it's 2-chassis system is bulky but the Class A triode sound is to die for.  I use the single ended connections feeding my Mac amp, the balanced connections have too much gain for a typical amp.  With a low gain power amp (e.g. 20db Pass XA25 or some First Watt models, the Balanced high gain outputs are a perfect match and expands significantly on the dynamics and sound stage.  Bottom line you need to know how to get the most out of it with proper setup and amplifier synergy.   

I hope you were able to do that prior to dumping it and that you will not be disappointed with the PSA.  

@ozzy 

What was the best pre/amp combo that you heard with your Andra II's? I'm curious to hear the possibilities.

I'm about 2 weeks in with the BHK and yeah it's different. More open and detailed but also not as liquid as the SLP. It's definitely a "hybrid" sound. I want to tube roll some other NOS tubes other than the E88 Tele. I hear a little Tele dryness that few folks speak of and I'm wondering if I can get a little more liquid but keep the top end open and airy. Before I had the Plinius amp I had an ARC Ref75 w/KT150 tubes and it was a bit more airy and punchy. Kinda miss that but I know it can be achieved again.

sqitis,

I tried several, including the Pass Labs P-20, Ayre and the Cary SP-05. I just never enjoyed the Esotar tweeter that was used in the Andra’s. Too dark sounding. I would have preferred a faster, clearer more dynamic preamp. Alas, I ended up selling the Andra’s and the Cary.

Today, I am using Clarisys Planar speakers and couldn’t be happier.

Sounds like you prefer the "tube sound".

ozzy