ProAc Response 2: CJ CAV45, Cary SEI 300B, or Cary Rocket 88?

For many years, I owned Response 2.5's which I drove with a Cary CAD-301SE amp.  This was a little-known power amp that they made for a while.  It used a larger chassis than the '300 integrated, but also had a pair of 300Bs.  I think Cary rated it at 14W a channel.  It drove the 2.5's to volumes well above any reasonable limit, and this in medium-sized rooms.  So the little Cary integrated is definitely the way to go.

Only you can understand what you will hear from these combinations. I’d suggest that if you have the means, or can maybe buy used or with a return policy, get two amps side by side at some point...

I’d suggest the 300b and the El34. Get them when you have a little time to spend with them. In the end you might pay (lose) $300 in shipping or flipping but you have to pay for experience- there is no way around that. The forum is the best alternative and probably the cheapest best way.

Good luck, the Proacs are great. I had the RD2 with a Luxman 550AX years ago and they had weight, were dynamic, and had great presence. That said FWIW I always gravitate back to tubes so not swaying you with that SS comment.

I also owned the RW 30.2 (with a different speaker) and it didn’t give me the brilliance or zest I was looking for. I think you are on the right track. Please post your follow up story.

Thanks for all of the latest thoughts. Decooney - to be more clear, "authority" is not what I need when it comes to bass. I’m looking for acoustic bass that will ebb, flow, and bounce, like it does in person. Basically, an amp that makes anyone in the room feel like getting their groove on, as opposed to equipment where you analyze the sound.

I know the easy answer is get the same components that made the magic back in the late-90s. My concern is with Audible Illusions service as the owner winds down his career. I’m hoping to get most of the Cary monos/AI with a simpler setup.

I’m pretty well set that I will bypass the Rocket 88 as that will require a high-gain preamp to do its thing, and the other two options will more than likely give me more of the "magic".

I have both an SEI and CAV45 in my sights, just waiting on a shipping quote from Canada and an offer made last night on the 45. Whichever one works out I’ll go with, and of course, I’ll probably end up with both here at some point.

I’ll follow up with some impressions once something new gets in the house. By the way, I’m still looking for the appropriate Target R2 stands. If you know of anyone who might have those with a desire to sell, send them my way!

@leahy I've owned a Rocket88 and think eliminating it from your list is a good idea. With Quad USA63s it lacked the transparency and natural timber that you'll get from the others you're considering. 

Though tough to find, one other you might consider is a Berning ZH270 OTL. The proacs are easier to drive and would be a great fit. I found OTLs like this bit better at frequency extremes than the 300B based amps, without sacrificing much in the mids. It does have a volume control built-in, but could also be used w/active pre if you ever decided to add one. Cheers,

Spencer 

Thanks Spencer - I have a CAV45 on the way, but I'll keep an eye out for the Berning too.