2. amps-preamps
  3. 989847141

Airtight ATM300 vs. Cary 300SEI

I'm going to mate a SE tube integrated with some vintage Spendor LS3/5A spkrs. Had decided on the 11W Cary 300SEI (with WE's; I'm not a KR fan), but then see Gindi's review of Airtight 8W ATM300 in Ultimate Audio mag raving about the Airtight with, would you believe, these same 15 yr old speakers. Being the societal pawn and audiophobic guy that I am, or seem to be at the moment (we never admit it until that moment) now I'm intrigued about that combo. Cary is plentiful on used market at about $2K and, given the $6300 retail and newness of Airtight piece, it would be a minimum of $3500, so there is a difference. Anyone think its worth it? For context, system will have some type of CD player (Sony, Metronome,etc.), Audio note(Kondo) interconnect, Mapleshade Planar spkr cables, Well Tempered TT w/Koetsu. Thanks for the feedback.
asa
eggpowder
22 posts
 
auricap is available from

http://www.audience-av.com/passive.htm

and michael percy.
mes
393 posts
 
I've owned the Cary and heard the Airtight, to me it's a no brainer, the Airtight is far better sounding IMOP. I sold the 300sei, I could never get used to that overly warm(dull?) sound, and the number of 300sei's for sale on A'gon says something, I think.
echo_romeo
4 posts
 
I've heard the CARY SEI with WE 300B it's a good sounding
amp. But compared to the Sun Audio 300B amp with WE 300B,
RCA 5U4, and Sylvania VT-231/6SN7GT. It's no contest this
amp smokes the CARY.
trelja
3,223 posts
 
Nice to see some AirTight talk on this site. To me, this is one of the best marques that no one ever talks about on this site. We hear a lot about Audio Research, Cary, Conrad Johnson, Rogue, VTL, etc., but as has been mentioned previously, the Air Tight is at least one or two steps above these other brands. I have to reiterate, it all starts with the transformers. The most expensive, most important part of ANY tube amp. There are only a few companies who use no holds barred transformers. Air Tight, Audio Note, Jadis, etc. This is what separates the men from the boys. It extends from the lowest lows all the way on up. Of course, the level of parts used in their products doesn't just include the transformers. It's all of their parts that make the grade. Air Tight is sweet, seductive, powerful, and beautiful. Asa, I really hope you opt for this amp. A very good friend wrote to me last week about the same SET amp you are considering. This is a guy who gets his hands on the best of the best. Not what most of us get our hands on, I mean the good stuff. It was obvious he liked it. That speaks volumes. While I have yet to hear this amp, I have to say their EL34 and KT88 based amps impress the absolute heck out of me. The only thing that doesn't really turn me on about their amps is the lack of ability of tube substitution(EL34 for KT88/6550/KT90 and vice versa). I get to hear a lot of tube amps, but these are a different breed. Good luck!
brulee
564 posts
 
Eggpowder says Cary is really not in the same league as the Airtight ATM300 and I would have to agree. The 805 from Cary at $3000 more sounds slow and and not nearly as involving. There is a lot more light and life in the Airtight and it can soundstage every bit as good as the 805s. IMO this is one good amp and seems much more powerful than it's 8 watts would suggest.
More to discover