2. amps-preamps
  3. 193215-198816

Used tube preamps, Cary, AR, Aesthetix, Wells...........or?

Having searched over the last year or so for a different preamp, I have been attracted to the Cary SLP 98 more times than not but I know it has many different incarnations and this seems to be important. The one I put an offer on is 8 years old and no upgrades are known. No real idea how this compares with others. The deal is by no means a lock. They have plenty of others that I would consider.

I have also found an AR Reference Mk II. It is 10 years old so not sure if that is good or bad but I'm sure it would be one that I would enjoy. It has a choice of xlr and rca for every connection. Only one I know of like this, at least in my searches. It is also designed to drive two amps, so is the Cary but the Cary is only set up this way with rca connections. I have never used balanced circuitry even though I've had it as an option. Most of what I've read says that you gain 6 db in gain. Is that the only advantage or is that even an advantage? I for one, do not know.

I have also found Aesthetix, both Rhea and Calypso. The Rhea is more in my price range but used, either is a possibility. They get mentioned here and there. Not sure what to think.

Another find is a Wells Audio Commander Level 2 Class? 2. No idea on these. Not heard anyone speak on them. 

Yet another has been the Dodd, battery powered unit. Haven't heard much but the ones who have them, say their search is over. Interesting. Happy to hear from anyone with any experience on these or others. I know there are tons to choose from but many are difficult to find as well. 

I bought several different preamps that were supposed to be "bargain finds" but none lived up to the one I'm trying to replace. If I'd been smart, I would have been more patient and put all my eggs in one basket instead of fooling around with all the others. It has been an interesting journey, just the same and I now have several pieces to sell or trade. Not necessarily a good thing but as I say, it's been an interesting journey and I have more to go. Thanks for any and all input.

Bill

billpete
billpete OP
112 posts
 

decooney

See my above response. There really is nowhere anywhere near me to have a listen. I am 3 hours plus from St Louis, Kansas City, midway between the two. I retired here from IL 12 years ago. Lots of choices back there but it is now 6 hours away. Des Moines is 4 plus hours, might be something there. Quincy IL is an hour or so, could be something there? Don't know. I'm getting old (72), don't relish driving so much anymore. 

I do have the opportunity to buy from places like Music Direct, The Music Room and probably others where the opportunity to listen to something and return if I don't like it, is a possibility. I did this once a few years ago with a phono preamp. I think it was Musical Surroundings, no idea what model. I can't even be sure it was Musical Surroundings but I think so. Was a store demo, can't remember if it was 1200 bucks, down from 1600 or if it was 1600 down from 2k, just don't remember for sure. I was trying to see if I could go back to all SS and it didn't fit my needs at all. Maybe I didn't give it a fair shake, didn't have something set right but I tried everything with it and just found that all the detail I had with the Cary, including bass extension, high frequency response and just plain overall "detail", was lost. I sent it back.

billpete OP
112 posts
 

Hey jonwolfpell

What made you sell the Calypso? 

decooney
2,276 posts
 

@billpete - totally understand. Thanks for the added context about the situation. Well, the old buy / demo / keep-or-return thing works too and how many go about this. I buy from the places you mentioned and the few returns I’ve made, never had any issues. If you do decide to retrace the Cary path, the 98s come up from time to time. I enjoy mine, bought it new, and use it for my tube monoblocks and SS amps both, fwiw.  

billpete OP
112 posts
 

decooney

Thanks again. I think maybe the phono pre that I tried from MD, was Musical Fidelity, not Musical Surroundings but I'm not 100% certain. Whatever it was, it did not do it for me and I decided to stay with the Cary PH301. I just thought that old tubes were getting scarce and pricey and maybe I'd run out of them one day. I have not and all is well. I at least am encouraged by the fact that there seems to be some new tubes that people use "and like". For the PH301, I probably have plenty of vintage tubes to last the rest of my life. 

I'm sure I'd be happy with an SLP 98 if it had the upgrades, not sure without them. Used ones do show up from time to time that have all the latest upgrades. I did talk with Cary some time ago about building me a new one and it may still be an option, just not sure for how long.

There are a couple others up for consideration as well. There is an Aesthetix Calypso Signature, Backert Labs Rhumba 3.1 and several different ARC models as well as McIntosh. From what I read and the features, the Calypso might be the best fit for me. I'm not ruling any of these out. 

Bill

decooney
2,276 posts
 

@billpete Nice. Another one you might consider adding if you are looking at The Calypso is Dan’s Modwright LS100 Tube Linestage. Uses lower gain 12au7s vs. the prior 12aX7s now. TMR has them. Being bold, I would hope it would stomp the prior MF you had, but maybe that’s just me liking what we see under the hood I have not clue how it sounds, but I was talking with Dan about his amps some.

His phono stage seems to be a separate unit if you require that. If I did not own my Cary SLP98 that I keep, might be fun to try one of Dan’s preamp/linestages. Maybe another to add to your list fwiw. If anything, something else to look at, compare to. :)

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