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
268 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
2,358 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. :)

billpete OP
268 posts
 

I have considered the Modwright stuff but not as much. Just found less about it and have not read as much as some of the others. I'm sure there are quite a few that would make me very happy. The list of things to study up on, never ends. 

The MF was easily stomped by the old Cary phono stage that I have so it was an easy decision to stay with it. 

harpo75
124 posts
 

The phono stage in the Cary SLP-98P is nice and simple and being it’s all inside the 98 (no external cables) it sounds pretty good.  Not easily adjustable (cartridge loading) but sounds great as it’s just a pair of 12AX7’s for gain with the 12AU7’s.  There’s not a ton of room inside for mods but enough room to make very nice upgrades to bring its to a very good audiophile level.  If you’re looking for the utmost in audio it’s not there.  Might look at the Aesthetix. The Cary PH-302 is a really good phono preamp if you’re considering a separate but it’s very important to match tubes for gain between the channels. 

decooney
2,358 posts
 

@billpete as per your post above, and @harpo75’s note, so are you thinking you might keep the Cary PH-302 as your phono preamp and then use that with a Cary SLP-98L or some other preamp of your choice then? If so, then maybe it might be fun to just hang on until the right SLP-98L comes up again. I’ve been watching the used market on SLP-98s and SLI-80s for friends over the past 5 years since I got my Cary SLP-98L new and sold my prior Cary SLI-80 and Cary V12R both. Btw, harpos post reminded a mention to say the suffix of "L" is for Linestage, "P" is for built-in phono preamp if that was not already obvious. And reference to harpo mentioning the "P" in SLP-98P with built in phono preamp. You probably knew this already I suspect. I bought the "L" version in case I ever wanted different external Phono preamps.

Now seeing more of the newer version 98s units pop up the last two years as people move to different DAC/Tube/Preamps and such for streaming and such. It’s been around a while and people move on to the latest and greatest, whatever the flavor and new hype of the year is it seems. I care less about all of that, and happy to say my 98 preamp is going nowhere any time soon. :)

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